Hi, Reggs. We just returned home from Ireland and I would guess that food prices might take a bite for a group. We like to eat in pubs most of the time and got great food everywhere, but prices were typically in the range of 13 Euro each, not including drinks. That's for a full meal, of course.

Foods are typically pridefully fresh with local produce, herbs, meats and cheeses, so I think you wouldn't have a problem with healthy, although my cholesterol count might not agree (great cream there).

You'll find all kind of American fast food chains everywhere (KFC, Pizza Hut, etc). Yuck. Go for the chowder! I think you'll find you will want a very light to no lunch because the breakfasts are so hearty. Good travels.

We had sandwiches for lunch and that ran about 8 Euro, or a bowl of soup/chowder and bread for about the same. I'd think about picking up picnic fare at a supermarket; there are many picnic sites in lovely locations.

I chose to get my meals at the supermarkets while traveling around Ireland. Food for myself and my husband usually cost around 10 euros. Thats for two prepackaged sandwiches, two sodas, yogart, and a candy bar. We picknicked a lot because the restrants were kinda high. IF you plan to visit Dublin, St. Stephen's Green is a lovely place to have a picknic.

Supermarkets are a good choice for sandwiches in Ireland, IMO. Many don't just have prepacked sandwiches, but make them fresh with cold or hot items of your choice. As FlaAnn pointed out: With a decent B&B breakfast in your stomach you may not even want more than a sandwich for lunch.

I don't know whether the "typical Irish family" regularly eats at some of the cute, quaint, very Irish pubs or restaurants (especially not close to tourist attractions) but rather at some food court in a shopping centre.

You can also look for restaurants with Early Bird specials. The prices can be remarkably lower before 7pm or so.

Some restaurants have both: a pub section, and a sit-down regular restaurants. Prices for the exact same food can be significantly cheaper in the pub.

My favorite fastfood joints are Supermacs (now THAT is one Irish place). Think of McDonald's, minus all that girlish health food and salads, but serious greasy burgers soaked with melted cheese and sauce. You will find them in almost every town, even where there is no sight of the golden arches.

Thank you so much everyone! That really helps heaps!

Cheers, Reggs

Most families eat at home!
Options to eat out on a budget with a big group; in many larger towns there are places that do an "open buffet" especially at lunch time where you can refill as often as you want for a fixed price. This is less common in the evening but can still be found sometimes. I've eaten at open buffets that specialised in Chinese, Indian and Pizza. They usually have a few fresh salad dishes so you can also stock up on your five portions for the day.
Beware of the prices they charge for alcohol in a lot of places. Don't order your first drink until you have seen the menu. When you see the price of a small beer or a glass of wine you might decide to have water instead. Tap water is safe to drink everywhere in Scotland. Don't be embarrassed about asking for it with a meal.
Don't order a sweet (and don't let the children see the sweet menu!). If a sweet is made on the premises it will probably be expensive. If it's cheap they probably bought it from the supermarket that morning.
In supermarkets and local shops you will always be able to buy enough bread, cheese, cooked meat, fruit and salad vegetables to have a picnic lunch for much less than you will pay in a pub or restaurant.

I was in Scotland last week and was appalled by the high price of restaurant food, especially in Edinburgh. After paying nearly $40 for one burger and one especially greasy order of fish & chips at a pub we started buying food at supermarkets (sandwiches, limited fruit, yogurt, bread, cheese.)

I absolutely adored Scotland but the food was not memorable (tho the prices were.)