Articles

Happy the food lover visiting Ireland’s western capital who happens on Aoibheann MacNamara’s trio of restaurants at Spanish Arch. A wonderful stone-built medieval customs house overlooking the Claddagh Basin is home to Ard Bia (literally ‘High Food’) and its sister restaurants, Ard Bia Café and Nimmo’s, plus a constantly changing exhibition of modern art.
more...

If good looks were the secret of a restaurant’s success then Tony and Bobbie Schwarz could just sit back and watch customers flocking to the door, as their cosily thatched White Sage Restaurant is probably the cutest of all the chocolate-box-pretty houses in Ireland’s prettiest village.
more...

Just outside Longford Town, this beautiful Georgian house dates back to 1740 and was taken on as a labour of love by the current owners, James and Beryl Kearney, in the 1980s. Since then, they have gradually worked on the house and developed its magnificent gardens, and there was always a plan to open a restaurant...
more...

Food lovers have many good reasons to head for beautiful and unspoilt West Waterford, and one of the best is the mouthwatering prospect of a meal at O’Brien Chop House, in the Heritage Town of Lismore. The O’Brien name stands out proudly in relief above the shopfront of this old grocery-bar, which is now home to an atmospheric restaurant, run by Justin and Jenny Green of nearby Ballyvolane House in East Cork.
more...

Although only open in this characterful Donnybrook premises for a year, O'Connells Restaurant has held a unique position on the Dublin dining scene for over a decade. In 1999, Tom O'Connell and his brother Rory (brothers of Darina Allen of Ballymaloe Cookery School) got together to open a new kind of ingredients-led restaurant...
more...

Since buying Tankardstown House in 2002, Trish and Brian Conroy have restored and renovated this lovely period property near Slane with consideration and taste – and, thanks to their efforts, it also stands proud once again on the parkland that belonged to the original estate.
more...

Beautifully situated near Smerwick Harbour on the Slea Head scenic drive and Dingle Way walking route, Sile and Vincent Gorman's guesthouse is, as they say themselves "just a great place to relax and unwind". It's a lovely place to stay, at any time of year, and the Gormans are knowledgeable and helpful hosts...
more...

Tucked away in Stepaside village, near Leopardstown race course, ‘The Box Tree by Eamonn O’Reilly’ is the latest venture by one of Ireland’s foremost chefs, whose city centre restaurants – the fine dining destination, One Pico, and its more casual sister, Bleu Café Bistro - have a well-earned reputation for consistently good, ingredients-led cooking.
more...

When everyone heads off on the annual pilgrimage to West Cork in July, many of those in the know will make a point of dropping into this relaxed and atmospheric family-friendly restaurant in Clonakilty.
more...

Widely acknowledged among the great gardens of the world, Mount Usher Gardens are very easily accessible just half an hour from Dublin with the main entrance in the centre of Ashford village.
more...