Favorite meal in Ireland?
Dec 21st, 2007, 05:38 PM
#21
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Gus O'Connor's Pub- its near the Cliffs of Moher- try to avoid the crowds of tour buses, but the Guinness Stew really is wonderful. I spent 4 months in Ireland, and stopped at this pub any chance I got. Enjoy!
Dec 22nd, 2007, 05:09 AM
#22
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Wow, this is making me really HUNGRY!!!!! And how nice to see so many special places in the areas we're looking at!
SiobhanP, to narrow it down and give an idea of our route, we will be there hopefully for 3 weeks, losing about 3 days in arriving and departing. At the moment, we're thinking of these areas ~ first few days around Powerscourt Gardens area ~ then Kinsale, but probably with a stop somewhere in between ~ then Kenmare for a few days (visit Killarney from there as many have suggested) ~ then Dingle for a few days ~ then somewhere around Cliffs of Moher ~ and maybe as far north as Clifden (I'd really love to see Kylemore Abbey) before we head back to Dublin for a flight back.
Ballymaloe looks a little off our route at the moment as I'm thinking we will head inland from our first base (somewhere near or between Powerscourt Gardens and Mt Usher Gardens) on our way towards Kinsale. It's also quite close to Kinsale, and I do think we want to stay within the town of Kinsale, it looks fun. I don't know where we'll stay before Kinsale.
The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge is already on our radar, it looks like a great place for 1 night after Dingle, and easy to visit Adare from there if we choose.
Ashford Castle and Dromoland Castle looked a little pricey for us unless they do some mid-week specials in September, and we don't use spas and golf courses............but outstanding breakfast yes!!! Our final choice in Derbyshire when we were there in 2006 was Underleigh House, in part because of it's outstanding breakfast!
We won't be in Dublin or any city ( if we can help it!) prefer to be in the countryside and small towns.
And yes, we love salmon and seafood, so Fishy Fishy will be on the list. I hope September won't be the wrong time of year for Lobster?
Gus O'Connor's Pub and O'Donnabhain's will be on the list for Guinness Stew ( and those potato cakes sound yummy!) Is Gus O'Connors in Doolin?
SiobhanP, to narrow it down and give an idea of our route, we will be there hopefully for 3 weeks, losing about 3 days in arriving and departing. At the moment, we're thinking of these areas ~ first few days around Powerscourt Gardens area ~ then Kinsale, but probably with a stop somewhere in between ~ then Kenmare for a few days (visit Killarney from there as many have suggested) ~ then Dingle for a few days ~ then somewhere around Cliffs of Moher ~ and maybe as far north as Clifden (I'd really love to see Kylemore Abbey) before we head back to Dublin for a flight back.
Ballymaloe looks a little off our route at the moment as I'm thinking we will head inland from our first base (somewhere near or between Powerscourt Gardens and Mt Usher Gardens) on our way towards Kinsale. It's also quite close to Kinsale, and I do think we want to stay within the town of Kinsale, it looks fun. I don't know where we'll stay before Kinsale.
The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge is already on our radar, it looks like a great place for 1 night after Dingle, and easy to visit Adare from there if we choose.
Ashford Castle and Dromoland Castle looked a little pricey for us unless they do some mid-week specials in September, and we don't use spas and golf courses............but outstanding breakfast yes!!! Our final choice in Derbyshire when we were there in 2006 was Underleigh House, in part because of it's outstanding breakfast!
We won't be in Dublin or any city ( if we can help it!) prefer to be in the countryside and small towns.
And yes, we love salmon and seafood, so Fishy Fishy will be on the list. I hope September won't be the wrong time of year for Lobster?
Gus O'Connor's Pub and O'Donnabhain's will be on the list for Guinness Stew ( and those potato cakes sound yummy!) Is Gus O'Connors in Doolin?
Dec 22nd, 2007, 01:12 PM
#25
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USNR, You just did not know where to eat. There are plenty of great restaurants in Ireland. http://www.ireland-guide.com/
Dec 22nd, 2007, 07:11 PM
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If you're near Shannon, the Carreygarry House is simply amazing! We love their dinners (and the lodging, and the breakfasts...)
So well prepared.
Otherwise, I love the beef lasagne with chips (yes, I even have it with Guinness for the full carb meal.)
So well prepared.
Otherwise, I love the beef lasagne with chips (yes, I even have it with Guinness for the full carb meal.)
Dec 23rd, 2007, 12:06 AM
#29
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Every day for lunch,as we travelled around for 11 days,the seafood chowder and soda bread at the local pubs. Absolutely delicious. The scallops on the West Coast,especially Golleen. We have never had the same quality since. And the beef in the South,never had a bad meal anywhere in Ireland. Makes us want to go back just thinking about the food...oh yes and the scenery..and then the locals.
Dec 23rd, 2007, 05:16 AM
#30
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Fresh Salmon at Crocket's on the Quay in Balliná, County Mayo; Seafood chowder in Galway at Garvey's Hotel & Restaurant on Eyre Sq. & Forster St.; just across from the Bus/Rail station - usually my first stop after Shannon arrival; in Dublin: Carvery lunch at Madigan's Pub on Middle Earl St. just off O'Connell Street.
Gus O'Connor's in Doolin is OK but it's not the same since Gus (RIP) passed away several years ago.
The Queen's Hotel in Ennis, County Clare (Abbey St.) is one of few places that serves a buffet lunch on Sundays. After lunch you're likely to find Trad Irish music next door at Cruise's Pub & Restaurant.
Gus O'Connor's in Doolin is OK but it's not the same since Gus (RIP) passed away several years ago.
The Queen's Hotel in Ennis, County Clare (Abbey St.) is one of few places that serves a buffet lunch on Sundays. After lunch you're likely to find Trad Irish music next door at Cruise's Pub & Restaurant.
Dec 24th, 2007, 05:38 AM
#31
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When we went to England and Wales, people warned us about the food being bad ~ well they were wrong! We had wonderful meals, especially in the recommended local Pubs. The quality of the food itself was excellent, as they seem to pride themselves ( as I believe Ireland does) on using local sources. Probably the only thing I would change is a little more variety at breakfast, as one did tire of the "English Breakfast" when it was served day after day. But that's probably the same at most places in many countries when you stay at the same B&B or Hotel for 3-5 days.
Rosetravels, I bookmarked Carrygerry House just in case we were to fly in or out of Shannon, it looks lovely!
Hester, do you know yet when you are going in September, or when you might be in Kinsale for that Lobster Salad?
Huddoshols, I looked up Golleen on Viamichelin, are your fresh scallops in Goleen in Co Cork on the SW coast?
Rosetravels, I bookmarked Carrygerry House just in case we were to fly in or out of Shannon, it looks lovely!
Hester, do you know yet when you are going in September, or when you might be in Kinsale for that Lobster Salad?
Huddoshols, I looked up Golleen on Viamichelin, are your fresh scallops in Goleen in Co Cork on the SW coast?
Dec 24th, 2007, 03:58 PM
#32
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wrenwood,
We are looking at Sep. 2, 2008 -Sep. 15, 2008. My husband doesn't like to be gone any longer than eleven or twelve days. I could go for ever. But our plans keep changing. Originally we were going around July 10-15, DS1 is getting married Aug 1 in Chicago and we live in Washington state so we decided to change our date until after the wedding, so we can be stress free and enjoy the wedding and Chicago.
Then we decided on the Sep. date, now our nephew is getting married right around when we are suppose to go. So I am at a loss at what to do. I really just want to go in Sep. I think if we keep this up something is going to keep popping up. But I don't want to upset my brother and his family.
When we do go this is our itinerary:
Fly into Dublin -3 nights
Cashel- one night
Kenmare-one night
Kinsale-two nights
Dingle-two nights
Doolin-one night
Somewhere around the Shannon airport where we will fly out.
This is almost identical to what I traveled in July 2006 with my sister except we flew back out of Dublin. I really enjoyed Dublin that's why there are three nights there and we will also do a side trip to Newgrange.
I want to be able to show my husband everything that I saw the last time I went. I pretty much know what B & B's I want to stay at except around Shannon. I have two places I want to be sure to eat one is Fishy Fishy the other is Queen of tarts in Dublin.
I hope you have a wonderful time. My last trip was even better than I would have ever dreamed of and I had very high dreams!
Merry Christmas!
We are looking at Sep. 2, 2008 -Sep. 15, 2008. My husband doesn't like to be gone any longer than eleven or twelve days. I could go for ever. But our plans keep changing. Originally we were going around July 10-15, DS1 is getting married Aug 1 in Chicago and we live in Washington state so we decided to change our date until after the wedding, so we can be stress free and enjoy the wedding and Chicago.
Then we decided on the Sep. date, now our nephew is getting married right around when we are suppose to go. So I am at a loss at what to do. I really just want to go in Sep. I think if we keep this up something is going to keep popping up. But I don't want to upset my brother and his family.
When we do go this is our itinerary:
Fly into Dublin -3 nights
Cashel- one night
Kenmare-one night
Kinsale-two nights
Dingle-two nights
Doolin-one night
Somewhere around the Shannon airport where we will fly out.
This is almost identical to what I traveled in July 2006 with my sister except we flew back out of Dublin. I really enjoyed Dublin that's why there are three nights there and we will also do a side trip to Newgrange.
I want to be able to show my husband everything that I saw the last time I went. I pretty much know what B & B's I want to stay at except around Shannon. I have two places I want to be sure to eat one is Fishy Fishy the other is Queen of tarts in Dublin.
I hope you have a wonderful time. My last trip was even better than I would have ever dreamed of and I had very high dreams!
Merry Christmas!
Dec 26th, 2007, 09:00 PM
#33
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If I may make a suggestion. You might want to consider flying in/out of Shannon instead of Dublin.It looks like you will be doing more in this region, and it will save you lots of time. Besides, the fact that you will be starting to drive on more rural roads sooner.This is great if you have not driven in Ireland before. Also, in my opinion do not spend time driving the Ring of Kerry. Rather use available time in the Dingle area. So much more scenic and Dingle is a beautiful town. One of my most memorable meals was at Bulman's pub across from Charles Fort in Kinsale. Have fun.
Dec 27th, 2007, 06:38 AM
#34
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Hester ~ Good luck with your schedule, I'm sure you will be able to work something out! We will be there for about 3 weeks sometime between September 9 and October 15 ~ all I need to work around at that time of year is the Penn State Football schedule!
Keep me posted, maybe we'll meet up for a beverage in Kinsale, Kenmare or Dingle if the timing is right.
Cajan, I think I agree with leaving out the drive around the Ring Of Kerry. It looks to me like we will see amazing scenery in most places we drive! I do think however that we will fly in and out of Dublin, as it's non-stop from Dulles/D.C and cheaper. Also, if we end up as far north as Donegal to see Slieve League, we'll head southwest through Enniskillen towards Dublin as we hope to spend a day around Tullamore and Birr in Co Offaly to see some special trees.
And I do have another question..........how many people tried black pudding for breakfast, and how many people liked it?
Keep me posted, maybe we'll meet up for a beverage in Kinsale, Kenmare or Dingle if the timing is right.
Cajan, I think I agree with leaving out the drive around the Ring Of Kerry. It looks to me like we will see amazing scenery in most places we drive! I do think however that we will fly in and out of Dublin, as it's non-stop from Dulles/D.C and cheaper. Also, if we end up as far north as Donegal to see Slieve League, we'll head southwest through Enniskillen towards Dublin as we hope to spend a day around Tullamore and Birr in Co Offaly to see some special trees.
And I do have another question..........how many people tried black pudding for breakfast, and how many people liked it?
Dec 28th, 2007, 11:45 AM
#38
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The Wine Vault on Bridge Street in Skibb: Brown bread and salmon with a rocket salad, a little bit of Jamesons and a half of Murphy's. I was very hungry, and jet-lagged, and the atmosphere of the place was just right. The young owner took care to make sure I knew how to get to my B&B, and the bartender/chef was attentive but not intrusive; the horse races were on the TV but the sound was off and music was playing at just the right volume. It was an early summer evening and I'll always remember how comfortable I was and how delicious every bite of that simple supper tasted.
