Rí Fern Café at Louis Mulcahy Pottery

A favourite destination in Kerry since 1975, the famous Louis Mulcahy Pottery is just off the road on Dingle’s gorgeous Slea Head Drive – you’ll spot a garden containing some examples of thetrademark ceramics and a large carpark to the front of a house that looks as if it may once have been residential (and is in keeping with local architecture). And here you’ll find the workshop, shop and café.You might plan a stop for the children to have a go at the pottery and then feel like a coffee – but did you know there is a secluded little café upstairs called Rí Fern? As you enter, there's a ground floor showroom, reception area and the workshop, where Louis himself may well be on site and visitors can try their hand at throwing a bowl. Upstairs there's a larger showroom area and the café, which is in a lovely room cheerfully themed in blue and white and with light streaming in from half a dozen eye-catching green-framed windows.Tables sport small Mulcahy vases with local flowers, and there's a counter, where you select food which is then brought to your table. Having been closed for a couple of years, the renamed café is now in the capable hands of Lada Elias and the plan is to make 'a wholesome and nourishing food experience which will bring joy to your mind and nourish your body'. They serve homemade treats made right in the café - refreshing smoothies and lunch, which includes toasties, sandwiches, pies, soups, and salads. Keen to support local suppliers, they make their coffee using Bean in Dingle beans and also cooperate with Dingle Milk Farm.

If you are in early in the morning, you can choose from four smoothies including one intriguingly titled Little Frog ( kale, banana, mango, lemongrass with apple juice) and two smoothie bowls.

You may start your lunch with the soup of the day and then pick from a small but varied selection including tasty dishes such as a Goat cheese salad with leafy greens, cherry tomatoes, roasted honey walnuts, cranberry raspberry vinaigrette and toasted sourdough bread. Everything is served on Louis Mulcahy pottery, of course – the coffees come in large pottery mugs and cakes are accompanied by freshly whipped cream in cute ceramic urns.

The pottery merges into the café, with pottery displays everywhere, and in one corner there is a seating area with a sofa and low tables for tea and coffee. And do make a point of checking out the back door (with balcony) while you're upstairs, to get a splendid bird’s eye view of the magnificent ocean scenery nearby.

And don't forget to buy some of this handsome - and very practical pottery - before leaving. Even in a busy showroom service is friendly and prompt - and very good value too, with the bill for both food and pottery a pleasant surprise for the quality on offer. A great place to know about for a lovely day out.