Doolin‘s principal attraction for decades has been its thriving Traditional Irish Music. The pubs of Doolin have music sessions almost nightly and in the high-season you can expect every venue to be packed to the rafters with music fans.
Hot on the heels of music, the various restaurants (standalone and hotel restaurants) have become a real draw to visitors to County Clare seeking good food that utilises the best produce from the region.
Below is a smattering of the dining options in Doolin hotels, restaurants and pubs that are available.
The Roadford House is situated in the northern part of the village this new restaurant offers a dining experience of class and quality. The chef Frankie Sheedy had formerly plied his trade at the Ballinalacken Castle (see below) and the restaurants prides itself in using locally sourced produce which is lovingly used in a variety of European style dishes that will prove a culinary highlight of your stay in Ireland. The Roadford House was recommended by Georgina Campbell in her guide as “one of the top ten best newcomers in 2007″. Guests staying at the connecting B&B can also benefit from the gourmet breakfast that is included in their stay.
The Cullinan’s Guesthouse in the village also has an excellent seafood restaurant run by the owner chef. The service is professional and the dining room has a wonderful ambience. That said it will be the attention to detail that is in the dishes Cullinans serve that will make this dining experience. Little touches like specially chosen dessert wines with your sorbet make dining here standout.
For those with families in tow, the Stonecutters Kitchen provides a traditionally Irish family-friendly environment in which to enjoy properly wholesome food. While its an ideal spot for families (they even have toys there for the kids) this is an enjoyable dining spot for adults that is close enough to the Cliffs of Moher to provide a welcoming meal before/after seeing the cliffs.
For a fine dining experience with exceptional views across Galway Bay then you owe yourself a visit to Ballinalacken Castle Country House Hotel and Restaurant. The plush dining setting itself is enough to set an ambience befitting of the classic fine cuisine on offer from chef Michael Foley.
For those looking for a break from the busy village in Summer, a walk up to the Aran View House Hotel and Restaurant is certainly worth the walk with a bar and restaurant with views across to the Aran islands and a range of food on offer from wholesome pub style snacks to a-la-carte menus.
In Roadford (the northern section of Doolin Ireland) lies Mc Gann’s Pub & Restaurant which along with O’Connors Pub are the most frequented pubs for traditional Irish music sessions. You can certainly expect either spot to be very busy in the high season with music playing nightly (and less frequently in winter). Don’t overlook though the traditional pub-grub meals on offer here with seafood chowder and Irish stew being hearty favourites.
Gus O’Connors Pub is renowned for its traditional Irish Music in an authentic Irish setting. Get along early though to beat the music fans for the trad session, or better still, get along to enjoy variety of seafood and steak dishes on offer. Don’t forget to check out the slew of international police badges on display behind the bar.
MacDiarmada’s (McDermott’s) Pub in Roadford by the post office may however be the ideal pub to check if you want either want to avoid the throngs in O’Connors/McGanns or just are looking for a great pint. Locals frequent this pleasant pub and by all accounts it can be a great setting on nights when a trad music session starts up.
Related posts: Doolin Ireland – Town Guide | Doolin Hotels – Reviews and Deals
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