PUBS WITH ROOMS - 10 of The Best

Although they are one of Britain’s hospitality treasures, we're inexplicably short of good pubs with accommodation in Ireland, but it is an appealing combination that makes for an especially relaxing laid-back atmosphere. Well worth seeking out if you like to keep things casual, the examples given below are the exceptions to the rule - and some could well provide a template for many other under-used pubs in towns and villages around Ireland.

The Deerpark Inn
Virginia Co Cavan

'A hop, skip and a jump' from its famous sister property Virginia Park Lodge is how Richard Corrigan's Deerpark Inn in the village centre is described on the VPL website - and that's as nice a way as any to explain the relationship to first-time guests, many of whom will making a journey break, while others may be visiting the area for weddings and other events held at the Lodge. And, when it comes to creating a sense of authentic Irish atmosphere, with terrific local food (including pork supplied by their own Oxford & Sandy Black pigs just up the lime tree-lined drive at VPL), friendly staff and a bit of quirky luxury thrown in, what you get from the team here is a uniquely satisfying and relaxing experience. At the Deerpark Inn, that translates into a genuine country pub feel, with deliciously upbeat traditional cooking - and six lovely rooms upstairs. Nobody does it better than Richard Corrigan. Winner of our Gastro-Pub of the Year in 2024, and well worth a detour...

The Coach House
Roundwood Co Wicklow

After Simon Pratt, his wife Monique and two former Avoca associates opened The Roundwood Stores in 2021, it soon became the area’s go-to place to pick up a loaf of sourdough and some premium groceries, or have a casual bite. So there was delight a-plenty when they bought the adjacent Coach House pub two years later – and, having opened initially as a weekend bar/restaurant, the simply stylish accommodation soon followed. And with its style, comfort, warm welcome, delicious food, accommodation and great value, the 'new' Coach House turned out to be just what Wicklow had been waiting for. Complete with open log fires and comfy seating areas, the large bar/restaurant offers a cleverly constructed seasonally-focused menu (earning our Bord Bia supported award for Best Supporter of Irish Food and Drink Producers in 2024), they describe themselves as '...a picture perfect classic Irish Inn, offering restaurant quality pub food and comfortable B&B lodgings' and who could argue with that. A perfect base for a couple of days enjoying Wicklow (and with the lovely old Roundwood Inn across the road for a change of dining style) The Coach House is just as gorgeous as everyone had hoped – and could well be a template for many other under-used pubs in towns and villages around Ireland.

Vaughans Anchor Inn
Main Street, Liscannor, Co Clare

The Vaughan family’s much-loved traditional pub has great character, with open fires and lots of memorabilia, also an elegant restaurant featuring a fascinating aquarium. A former winner of our Pub of the Year and Seafood Chef awards, it’s famed for local produce, notably ultra-fresh seafood, and superb cooking of everything from their trademark Fish’n’Chips to seafood platters and many other simply sophisticated dishes. Second-generation chef Denis Vaughan - an exceptionally talented and creative chef who uses as much local produce as possible - is the driving force and Denis’s eldest son, James, took over the kitchen here in 2021 when the family acquired a sister restaurant, Vaughan’s on the Prom in Lahinch. Denis and his second son, Denis Jr, work together there and, next door, they have a ‘cow to cone’ ice cream parlour and fish’n’chips takeaway, Spooney’s. That’s a lot of change for this talented team – and several more good reasons to visit West Clare, with Liscannor being the base of choice: accommodation is available at the Anchor Inn, in hotel standard en-suite rooms – and ‘Wine Dine & Stay’ packages are offered too.

Helen’s Bar
Killmacalogue Harbour Tuosist Co Kerry

Built in 1910 as Teddy O' Sullivan's pub, this delightful harbourside spot has always been a family run business and the current proprietor, Helen Moriarty, is a niece of the late Teddy O' Sullivan. She has worked in the bar all her life and her welcoming presence is a big part of the charm of this cosy traditional pub which, as she says, has “a lot of history behind its walls…” About halfway between Kenmare and Castletownbere, it feels like an other-worldly hideaway and, with oodles of breathtaking scenery, a little harbour and picnic tables spilling over from the pub across to the pier wall, it’s one that many regulars would like to keep secret. In fine weather, delighted visitors can enjoy the famous seafood out there on the pier - open crab sandwiches, seafood platters, and especially the local mussels just harvested in the bay. There’s loads to do too (hill walking, diving, garden visits…), so staying on in one of their traditional B&B rooms could be just the ticket – and, promising ‘an unforgettable evening of good food and good craic’, they can cater for any event too, from family meals and dinner parties to weddings and funerals. A true Irish gem.

The Olde Glen
Glen, near Carrigart, Co Donegal

Just the sort of old pub advertising people dream about, this charming bar looks as it must have done a hundred, maybe two hundred years ago. Low ceilings, ancient weathered bar and furniture, fires in winter, a big old room and then another behind - and a great reputation for its good food in the restaurant at the back, as well as craic in the bar and good casual lunch fare. In 2013 The Olde Glen changed ownership but the new owners, Aengus Haughey and Cormac Walsh, kept this much-loved destination just as it should be, and everything about it has continued to delight - including the more recently added accommodation next door, ‘Clara’s Cots’. Aengus manages the bar and the Bia Box shipping container in the garden, while Cormac (chef turned front of house) looks after the rooms and The Restaurant – where the arrival of Donegal native Ciarán Sweeney (former head chef at Dublin's Forest & Marcy) has upped the ante with locally-focused menus which attract acclaim. Dinner, bed and breakfast packages are sometimes offered. The Olde Glen was our Pub of the Year in 2008 and again in 2021.

Monks
Ballyvaughan, Co Clare

This famous pub on the shores of Galway Bay has been drawing people along to the pier at Ballyvaughan since 1981. It's an informal, cottagey kind of a place with several small bars, open fires, an outside dining area and a reputation for informal and friendly service. As members of the Burren Ecotourism Network https://www.burrenexperiences.ie/burren-ecotourism-network/ and Burren Food Trail https://burren.ie/the-burren-food-trail/, chef Daniel Daly and his team focus on local produce, especially crab: crab claws in garlic butter, open crab sandwiches and seafood chowder are all favourites, along with poached local mussels and seafood platters. And they have lovely rooms too. When current owners Liam Breslin and Patrick O'Donoghue came on board in 2016, they refurbished the property very nicely, including the eleven hotel standard rooms. Dogs are welcome in the bar (perhaps joining resident dog Topsy) and can also stay in some of the rooms by arrangement (one per room, no charge).

The Salty Dog
Ballycotton Co Cork

Ballycotton is quite the dining destination these days, and recent changes at this well-established pub and restaurant with rooms are all part of a grand plan. Owned by businessman Pearse Flynn (a Ballycotton native) since 2017 and reinvented as The Salty Dog in 2025, it's still run as a unit and is a sister to the impressive Sea Church restaurant and venue nearby, and Cush (relocated to Midleton). With the rebranding came changes in the kitchen - and nobody's complaining, as the main man is the much-admired Fred Desormeaux (our Seafood Chef of the Year 2025, and now Executive Head Chef of the group) with the very able Marc Lonergan as head chef. Seafood landed in the harbour below is of course the speciality in the restaurant (weather permitting) and the friendly 'maritime bar' remains pleasingly traditional - there's usually a welcoming stove burning – and it's a nice spot to drop into during the day, after visiting the harbour or doing the cliff walk. Seen together - the restaurant, the cosy bar with its traditional appeal and weekend music, the comfy rooms upstairs - it makes a perfect package and, despite Ballycotton's reputation for being very seasonal, it is no wonder that it's now becoming a popular all year destination.

The Rusty Mackerel
Teelin, Carrick, Co Donegal

Beautifully located at the foot of Sliabh Liag, the highest sea cliffs in Europe,’The Rusty’ is a well-loved traditional Irish bar and restaurant, known for its genuine friendliness and craic. It dates back to 1892 and, although it can be very busy at times in summer, this atmospheric venue serves tasty fare and remains very much itself. Food is hearty and wholesome, with an emphasis on fish and seafood from nearby Killybegs (including freshly battered goujons of fish on the children's menu), but also offering a balanced choice of other options. Local drinks include whiskey and gin from Sliabh Liag Distillery - and there’s great music and dancing too, with visiting musicians encouraged to join in. A beer garden (with retractable roof, wood burning stove and patio heaters) and 13 comfortable Fáilte Ireland Approved bedrooms, which are family-friendly and pet-friendly have recently been added, making ’The Rusty’ an ideal moderately-priced base for an active holiday in this stunning area.

The Moorings
Portmagee Co Kerry

In the same family since 1958 and currently run by Gerard and Patricia Kennedy, this quayside traditional bar and restaurant has always been known for excellent local seafood, and you may be lucky enough to find a rarity like fresh tuna (an occasional summer visitor to the Skelligs islands across the bay) posted on chef Noel Dennehy’s daily blackboard – and also organically grown produce from his own family’s garden. The comfortable accommodation includes excellent showers and seafront rooms face the harbour and bridge to Valentia Island, with constantly changing views of the windswept Atlantic. A very good breakfast includes the full Irish with local handmade sausages, oak smoked bacon and Sneem black pudding or perhaps the seaside treat of buttery grilled lemon sole. Boats leave for the Skelligs just a few metres away and - although the association with Star Wars has been an attraction for film location enthusiasts in recent years - the appeal of the islands for their history and wildlife is timeless.

Dalys of Donore
Donore Co Meath

Just five minutes from Drogheda, Dalys of Donore is a friendly bar and restaurant offering good food and comfortable rooms near two of Ireland’s most visited attractions - world-famous Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, and the scene of the Battle of the Boyne. It’s a fine big country pub, where everyone gets a warm welcome no matter what the weather and - in addition to the spacious bar with its big screen that is the hub of social activities, and the large function room that hosts all kinds of family get-togethers and local events - they have 24 en-suite bedrooms in a separate building alongside. Plus the USP of having George's Restaurant on site. Georg Heise is famed in these parts for his wonderful baking (he delighted customers at George's Patisserie in Slane for over 20 years) but he is a classically trained chef and it is his fine dining background that informs the way he works. Careful sourcing of local ingredients in season is second nature to him and experience has also given him a deep understanding of the needs of a rural community, who enjoy their generous portions - so "Good wholesome food offering favourite traditional dishes cooked to your liking" is the aim, and who could argue with that.