Page 333 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

WHERE T O EA T AND DRINK  331

KILBEGGAN: Kilbeggan Distillery Northern Ireland Thatch Inn is well known for great
Experience food, including a good family-
Mullingar, Co Westmeath. ARDGLASS: Curran’s Bar & oriented menu at lunchtime, friendly
Road map C3. Tel 057 933 2132. Seafood Steakhouse welcomes and live music. 07
As well as being the oldest licensed 83 Strangford Rd, Chapeltown,
pot still distillery in the world Co Down. Road map E2. BUSHMILLS: Bushmills Inn
(established in 1757), this historic Tel 028 4484 1332. 9 Dunluce Rd, Co Antrim.
complex has a whiskey bar – the This charming pub and restaurant is Road map D1. Tel 028 207 33000.
ideal place to sample a few brands in the Curran ancestral home, which Set in an old coaching inn, this cosy
before buying (see p253). There is an dates from 1791. Expect warm bar is lit by gaslights. It features live
adjoining restaurant. 07 service and the freshest catch. A Irish music on Saturday nights
good choice for families, with its play throughout the year and on
KILNALECK: The Copper Kettle area and beer garden. 07 Wednesday nights from May to
Co Cavan. September. There is also a restaurant
Road map C3. Tel 0494 336223. BANGOR: Jenny Watt’s on the premises. 07
This lively family-run pub has a 41 High St, Co Down.
wonderful atmosphere. It is well Road map E2. Tel 028 9127 0401. ENNISKILLEN: Blake’s of the Hollow
known for its wholesome, home- Likeable and very popular, this bar 6 Church St, Co Fermanagh.
cooked meals, served all day. There’s with Victoriana trimmings is found in Road map C2. Tel 028 663 25388.
entertainment every Saturday night the centre of town. The walls One of a number of popular
all year round. 07 are adorned with local photos and town-centre pubs, Blake’s is famous
memorabilia. There’s live jazz at for its traditional Irish heritage.
KINNITTY: The Dungeon Bar Sunday lunchtime, and more music Dating back to Victorian days, it
Birr, Co Offaly. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and retains many of its original fittings.
Road map C4. Tel 05791 37318. Thursdays. Bar food is served, There is live traditional Irish music
Sited in the basement of medieval and there’s a beer garden. 0 every Friday. 07
Kinnitty Castle, less than a mile from
Kinnitty village, this candlelit bar, BELFAST: Crown Liquor Saloon HILLSBOROUGH: Plough Inn
which is open Friday, Saturday and 46 Great Victoria St, Co Antrim. The Square, Co Down.
Sunday from 12:30pm, is not quite as Road map D2. Tel 028 902 43187. Road map D2. Tel 028 9268 2985.
spooky as it sounds. Historic Irish This Victorian gin palace ranks as one This typical village pub, dating from
memorabilia cover the walls and the of the most gorgeous bars in Ireland the 1750s, has wooden ceiling beams
food and drinks are well presented. (see p281). Lunch includes several and a selection of crockery, china and
There’s traditional Irish music every local specialities, such as Irish stew other orna ments on the walls. There’s
Friday and Saturday night. 0 and champ, but the Strangford a bistro upstairs open during the day,
Lough oysters really do stand out. serving international dishes. The
LONGFORD: Edward J Valentine’s Robinson’s, the pub next door, is Hillside, just down the main street, is
Main St, Co Longford. particularly lively in the evening. 0 also worth a visit. 0 7
Road map C3. Tel 043 334 5509.
Relax in Edward Valentine’s BELFAST: Lavery’s KILLYLEA: Digby’s Bar & Restaurant
wonderful, warm, old-world 12–18 Bradbury Place, Co Antrim. 53 Main St, Co Armagh.
atmos phere. There is a lively Road map D2. Tel 028 9087 1106. Road map D2. Tel 028 3756 8330.
ambience at the weekends in what Yet another of Belfast’s fine old This friendly, traditional village inn,
is otherwise a home away from gin palaces. Bar food served at lunch decorated with old photographs of
home. 7 and discos in the evenings. It is local places and people, is family-run.
popular with students from Queen’s It boasts an extensive menu, ranging
PORTLAOISE: O’Donoghues University. 07 from bar snacks to main dishes,
Market Sq, Co Laois. paried with good wines, and is a
Road map C4. Tel 057 862 1199. BELFAST: White’s Tavern relaxed, enjoyable venue for families.
Leave the modern world behind and Winecellar Entry, Co Antrim. 07
enjoy the traditional atmos phere of Road map D2. Tel 028 9024 3080.
this award-winning, old-style pub. Just one of several daylight-free LONDONDERRY: The Park Bar
This is the perfect spot for a quiet pubs tucked away in the Entries (see 35 Francis St, Co Londonderry.
pint or a snack. The Seasons p281) sector of Belfast city that are Road map C1. Tel 028 7126 4674.
Restaurant is located overhead. 7 best at lunchtime when decent, A family-run bar close to the city
reasonably priced pub food is centre and adjacent to St Eugene’s
PORTLAOISE: Treacy’s Bar served. White’s lays claim to be the Cathedral. The European lagers and
and Restaurant oldest tavern (1630) in the city. Other Guinness are on tap.
The Heath, Co Laois. pubs in this series of alleys that are
Road map C4. Tel 057 864 6538. worth a look include the Morning OMAGH: The Mellon Country Hotel
This charming thatched cottage Star. 07 134 Beltany Rd, Co Tyrone.
pub and restaurant is 6 km (3 miles) Road map C2. Tel 028 816 61891.
outside of the town, but is well BROUGHSHANE: The Thatch Inn Just 1 mile from the Ulster American
worth the journey. It is the oldest 57 Main St, Co Antrim. Folk Park, this country inn is a popular
family-run pub in these parts, and Road map D2. Tel 028 258 61366. stopping-off point. Set in the foothills
there is a good range of pub grub This old thatched pub in the ancient of the Sperrin mountains, the inn
(roasts, fish, salads) as well as prime village of Broughshane exudes overlooks the Strule River. A comfort-
steak at reasonable prices. 0 charm, character and warmth. The able place with friendly service. 0

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