Ciara’s pick:
Rosslare, Co Wexford
A few years ago, I travelled from Cork to Roscoff and was pleasantly surprised to find a French town full of character and fine foods. It encouraged me to look at Irish port towns with a fresh perspective, specifically Rosslare, which I previously associated with rushed trips to the ferry. But to drive in and out is a missed opportunity.
With a cone in hand, filled with a Wexford strawberry Scúp gelato, wander up the quaint village, crossing onto the pebbled beach and follow the ships as they voyage out to sea.
Where to eat
1. Sea Rooms at Kelly’s Resort Hotel
The Sea Rooms at Kelly’s Resort Hotel may be the newest dining addition to the family-run hotel, but since it opened in June 2023, it has been the culinary talk of the south-east. Chris Fullham is a young chef with a promising culinary career, making his impressive mark on every one of the seven dishes presented in his tasting menu.
Using the best local ingredients, his scallop ceviche is bright, fresh and exciting with a white miso dressing adding earthy undertones. A beef fillet served with a celeriac purée and black truffle is excellently executed, and my favourite is the barbecued halibut served with white asparagus, garden peas and pesto; the fish beautifully seared on the outside with a delicate flaking within.
Housed in a modern glass building, it has stunning sea views and the service is exceptional. Whether you’re staying in the hotel or not, it’s a unique dining experience.
The Chef’s 7-Course Tasting Menu is €78 per person, while the Chef’s 3-Course Dinner Menu is €60 per person. Lunch is served Saturdays and Sundays (from €32 per person).
•kellys.ie
Kilmore Quay crab and a cheese and onion tartlet on the tasting menu at the Sea Rooms.
2. Karoo Farm Shop and Café
Clint and Nessa Engelbrecht aren’t Wexford natives, but the South African couple were captivated by the small town of Killinick, just outside Rosslare. The food offering they have created, fuses international flavours and local ingredients.
For salads, stay local with a grilled goat’s cheese option, or go for a Buddha bowl loaded with quinoa and spiced chickpeas. But it’s the sandwiches that really impress, including slow-cooked pork on brioche, Asian shredded duck wraps or baked chicken on focaccia with Brie. Explore the farm shop which celebrates local producers.
•karoo.ie
Kelly's Resort Hotel.
3. Johnstown Castle
You could spend days exploring Johnstown Castle and Gardens. Tour the castle, where you can follow the story of the Grogan family (who, in the 19th century, remodelled the castle), or wander around the historic gardens and woodlands on the 120ac estate.
The menu at the Peacock Café is simple, with a nice selection of sandwiches, paninis and traybakes, for its diverse range of visitors. Through the dishes, they are showcasing the best of Wexford producers. Duncannon fish, Meadowfield Goat’s Cheese, Wexford Home Preserves, and of course, Wexford strawberries all feature on the menu. The estate produces and sells its own honey. If you’re there when they harvest in August, grab a jar as they sell out fast.
•johnstowncastle.ie
Johnstown Castle Grounds. \ Irish Heritage Trust
Where to stay
Kelly’s Resort Hotel, Rosslare
The history behind Kelly’s Resort Hotel is quite impressive. Starting as tea rooms in 1895 by William J and Mary Kelly, it is now run by their great-grandson Bill Kelly. And the future looks bright with Bill’s daughters, Laura and Grace, the fifth-generation of the Kelly family, also involved.
Visitors come for the spectacular sea views, but repeatedly return for the food and experience. What’s remarkable about Kelly’s is how it seamlessly caters for so many members of the family. Let’s start with the kid’s buffet at 5pm with all their favourites – pasta, sausages, chips. Full tummies and kids’ entertainment means happy parents – who can actually enjoy their dinner in the relaxed surroundings of the Ivy Restaurant. Children can also dine here, and on our visit, it hosted numerous celebratory family meals.
For adults looking for a relaxed dinner, La Marine Bistro is where you’ll find an impressive rib-eye steak while Beaches restaurant has a more formal dining experience, where seafood is celebrated with medallions of monkfish and pan-fried Atlantic prawns with puff pastry feuilleté.
The aforementioned Sea Rooms in its impressive glass building, away from the main area of the hotel, gives a modern twist on the fine dining experience.
Remarkably, these diverse dining offerings, all gel together into a hotel experience where everyone – no matter what age – has their taste buds catered for.
•kellys.ie
What to do
1. Explore Hook Lighthouse
A trip to Hook Lighthouse makes for a great road trip, with stunning sea views along Hook Head. Stop at the famous Loftus Hall along the way.
2. National Opera House
The National Opera House has a stellar line up of events for the summer months and make an ideal night out in nearby Wexford town.
Janine’s pick:
The Burren, Co Clare
Janine enjoys talking walks and having picnics on the shore of Lough Bunny. \ Philip Doyle
The landscape around the Burren National Park, in Co Clare, is equal parts glorious and mystifying
Inland, what looks barren is actually thriving with wild flora and fauna. Along the coast, pristine beaches and seaside villages offer those charming vibes you only find in rural Ireland. Everywhere you look, old stone walls and neolithic sites dot the landscape.
The Burren region is the perfect place for a food-focused road trip. Take a few days: start off in Ballyvaughan, work your way along the coast and head back down to Ennistymon. During the summer, there is great food, drink and craic on offer, with something for the whole family.
Where to eat
1. Homestead Cottage, Doolin
Chef Robbie McCauley and his wife, Sophie, run this one Michelin-starred gem in a revamped seaside cottage just outside of Doolin. Here, Robbie creates a hyper-local tasting menu which delights and surprises in equal measure.
On our visit, we particularly enjoyed the delicate halibut topped with beluga caviar. The menu constantly changes; using home-grown, seasonal produce, fresh Co Clare seafood and Burren beef and lamb.
As with many fine dining establishments, your only option is the chef’s tasting menu. For food lovers, this is a memorable experience.
The Chef’s Tasting Menu is served Thursday to Sunday (booking essential; €125 per person). Lunch is served Saturdays and Sundays (€85 per person).
•homesteadcottagedoolin.com
Halibut with three cornered leek and beluga caviar at Homestead Cottage, Doolin. \ Janine Kennedy
2. The Cheese Press, Ennistymon
When you’re a dairy farmer and get a rare night away, you are often on the road home very early the following morning to get back to your many jobs. This usually means grabbing a breakfast roll in a service station.
If you find yourself in Ennistymon on a Saturday, though, you can get a delicious breakfast, great coffee and stock up on some locally-sourced ingredients at The Cheese Press.
Owned by Sinead Ni Gairbhith, this speciality food shop and eatery is packed full of knickknacks, art and – of course – food. They are home to what they call “Ireland’s best cheese toastie”, and they aren’t too far off the mark: it comprises of local sourdough, savoury tapenade and a variety of deliciously melty Irish cheeses. Pair it with a dirty chai latte made with locally roasted Anam coffee, and you’ve got yourself a true breakfast of champions (for less than €20 per person).
•cheesepressennistymon.com
Janine loved the Dirty Chai Latte made with locally roasted Anam Coffee at The Cheese Press in Ennistymon. \ Janine Kennedy
3. Linnane’s, New Quay
Fancy some fresh fish by the sea? Definitely check out Linnane’s Lobster Bar. With stunning scenery, water-side dining and outdoor seating for fine summer afternoons; this is the spot to get your fill of fresh, local seafood.
Start off with a half dozen Flaggy Shore oysters (€17) before moving on to some freshly steamed mussels (€17.50). For mains, try their classic fish and chips in White Hag beer batter (€21.50) or their warm seafood platter for two (€100) with lobster, prawns, crab and mussels with baby potatoes.
•linnanesbar.com
Where to stay
Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna
You can’t mess with a classic, and the Wild Honey Inn in Lisdoonvarna has been offering the very best of Irish hospitality since 2009. They have also been the only gastropub in Ireland to be awarded a Michelin star (first in 2017), thanks to their stellar food offering; masterfully executed by chef Aidan McGrath.
While, sadly, Aidan and the team have ended their dinner service offering, the breakfast at the Wild Honey Inn is the best you will find in any hotel or restaurant in the region.
They also have plans for other daytime food experiences over the summer months, so be sure to ask if any are in the works when you make your booking.
This absolute gem is located in the heart of the Burren National Park and is central to all the sights you’ll want to see. The beautifully restored inn, with a history that dates back to the mid-1800s, is cosy and comfortable.
Availability for June is tight, but there are still plenty of options for July and August. Rooms start at €200 per night for bed and breakfast.
•wildhoneyinn.com
What to do
1. Burren Perfumery
The family-owned Burren Perfumery has been in business for over 50 years making natural and organic cosmetics and it is so much more than a shop – it is a destination. Wander the garden, check out the scent apothecary room and then decide which of their flagship perfumes is the one for you (I’m a Frond girl, myself).
The Burren.
2. Lough Bunny
Take a picnic basket full of local goodies (like Burren Smokehouse smoked eel, St Tola Goat’s Cheese and Sourdo’Farrell bread) and set down beside this stunning lake. Enjoy your lunch among the rocks and gently lapping waves.
Read more
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Ciara’s pick:
Rosslare, Co Wexford
A few years ago, I travelled from Cork to Roscoff and was pleasantly surprised to find a French town full of character and fine foods. It encouraged me to look at Irish port towns with a fresh perspective, specifically Rosslare, which I previously associated with rushed trips to the ferry. But to drive in and out is a missed opportunity.
With a cone in hand, filled with a Wexford strawberry Scúp gelato, wander up the quaint village, crossing onto the pebbled beach and follow the ships as they voyage out to sea.
Where to eat
1. Sea Rooms at Kelly’s Resort Hotel
The Sea Rooms at Kelly’s Resort Hotel may be the newest dining addition to the family-run hotel, but since it opened in June 2023, it has been the culinary talk of the south-east. Chris Fullham is a young chef with a promising culinary career, making his impressive mark on every one of the seven dishes presented in his tasting menu.
Using the best local ingredients, his scallop ceviche is bright, fresh and exciting with a white miso dressing adding earthy undertones. A beef fillet served with a celeriac purée and black truffle is excellently executed, and my favourite is the barbecued halibut served with white asparagus, garden peas and pesto; the fish beautifully seared on the outside with a delicate flaking within.
Housed in a modern glass building, it has stunning sea views and the service is exceptional. Whether you’re staying in the hotel or not, it’s a unique dining experience.
The Chef’s 7-Course Tasting Menu is €78 per person, while the Chef’s 3-Course Dinner Menu is €60 per person. Lunch is served Saturdays and Sundays (from €32 per person).
•kellys.ie
Kilmore Quay crab and a cheese and onion tartlet on the tasting menu at the Sea Rooms.
2. Karoo Farm Shop and Café
Clint and Nessa Engelbrecht aren’t Wexford natives, but the South African couple were captivated by the small town of Killinick, just outside Rosslare. The food offering they have created, fuses international flavours and local ingredients.
For salads, stay local with a grilled goat’s cheese option, or go for a Buddha bowl loaded with quinoa and spiced chickpeas. But it’s the sandwiches that really impress, including slow-cooked pork on brioche, Asian shredded duck wraps or baked chicken on focaccia with Brie. Explore the farm shop which celebrates local producers.
•karoo.ie
Kelly's Resort Hotel.
3. Johnstown Castle
You could spend days exploring Johnstown Castle and Gardens. Tour the castle, where you can follow the story of the Grogan family (who, in the 19th century, remodelled the castle), or wander around the historic gardens and woodlands on the 120ac estate.
The menu at the Peacock Café is simple, with a nice selection of sandwiches, paninis and traybakes, for its diverse range of visitors. Through the dishes, they are showcasing the best of Wexford producers. Duncannon fish, Meadowfield Goat’s Cheese, Wexford Home Preserves, and of course, Wexford strawberries all feature on the menu. The estate produces and sells its own honey. If you’re there when they harvest in August, grab a jar as they sell out fast.
•johnstowncastle.ie
Johnstown Castle Grounds. \ Irish Heritage Trust
Where to stay
Kelly’s Resort Hotel, Rosslare
The history behind Kelly’s Resort Hotel is quite impressive. Starting as tea rooms in 1895 by William J and Mary Kelly, it is now run by their great-grandson Bill Kelly. And the future looks bright with Bill’s daughters, Laura and Grace, the fifth-generation of the Kelly family, also involved.
Visitors come for the spectacular sea views, but repeatedly return for the food and experience. What’s remarkable about Kelly’s is how it seamlessly caters for so many members of the family. Let’s start with the kid’s buffet at 5pm with all their favourites – pasta, sausages, chips. Full tummies and kids’ entertainment means happy parents – who can actually enjoy their dinner in the relaxed surroundings of the Ivy Restaurant. Children can also dine here, and on our visit, it hosted numerous celebratory family meals.
For adults looking for a relaxed dinner, La Marine Bistro is where you’ll find an impressive rib-eye steak while Beaches restaurant has a more formal dining experience, where seafood is celebrated with medallions of monkfish and pan-fried Atlantic prawns with puff pastry feuilleté.
The aforementioned Sea Rooms in its impressive glass building, away from the main area of the hotel, gives a modern twist on the fine dining experience.
Remarkably, these diverse dining offerings, all gel together into a hotel experience where everyone – no matter what age – has their taste buds catered for.
•kellys.ie
What to do
1. Explore Hook Lighthouse
A trip to Hook Lighthouse makes for a great road trip, with stunning sea views along Hook Head. Stop at the famous Loftus Hall along the way.
2. National Opera House
The National Opera House has a stellar line up of events for the summer months and make an ideal night out in nearby Wexford town.
Janine’s pick:
The Burren, Co Clare
Janine enjoys talking walks and having picnics on the shore of Lough Bunny. \ Philip Doyle
The landscape around the Burren National Park, in Co Clare, is equal parts glorious and mystifying
Inland, what looks barren is actually thriving with wild flora and fauna. Along the coast, pristine beaches and seaside villages offer those charming vibes you only find in rural Ireland. Everywhere you look, old stone walls and neolithic sites dot the landscape.
The Burren region is the perfect place for a food-focused road trip. Take a few days: start off in Ballyvaughan, work your way along the coast and head back down to Ennistymon. During the summer, there is great food, drink and craic on offer, with something for the whole family.
Where to eat
1. Homestead Cottage, Doolin
Chef Robbie McCauley and his wife, Sophie, run this one Michelin-starred gem in a revamped seaside cottage just outside of Doolin. Here, Robbie creates a hyper-local tasting menu which delights and surprises in equal measure.
On our visit, we particularly enjoyed the delicate halibut topped with beluga caviar. The menu constantly changes; using home-grown, seasonal produce, fresh Co Clare seafood and Burren beef and lamb.
As with many fine dining establishments, your only option is the chef’s tasting menu. For food lovers, this is a memorable experience.
The Chef’s Tasting Menu is served Thursday to Sunday (booking essential; €125 per person). Lunch is served Saturdays and Sundays (€85 per person).
•homesteadcottagedoolin.com
Halibut with three cornered leek and beluga caviar at Homestead Cottage, Doolin. \ Janine Kennedy
2. The Cheese Press, Ennistymon
When you’re a dairy farmer and get a rare night away, you are often on the road home very early the following morning to get back to your many jobs. This usually means grabbing a breakfast roll in a service station.
If you find yourself in Ennistymon on a Saturday, though, you can get a delicious breakfast, great coffee and stock up on some locally-sourced ingredients at The Cheese Press.
Owned by Sinead Ni Gairbhith, this speciality food shop and eatery is packed full of knickknacks, art and – of course – food. They are home to what they call “Ireland’s best cheese toastie”, and they aren’t too far off the mark: it comprises of local sourdough, savoury tapenade and a variety of deliciously melty Irish cheeses. Pair it with a dirty chai latte made with locally roasted Anam coffee, and you’ve got yourself a true breakfast of champions (for less than €20 per person).
•cheesepressennistymon.com
Janine loved the Dirty Chai Latte made with locally roasted Anam Coffee at The Cheese Press in Ennistymon. \ Janine Kennedy
3. Linnane’s, New Quay
Fancy some fresh fish by the sea? Definitely check out Linnane’s Lobster Bar. With stunning scenery, water-side dining and outdoor seating for fine summer afternoons; this is the spot to get your fill of fresh, local seafood.
Start off with a half dozen Flaggy Shore oysters (€17) before moving on to some freshly steamed mussels (€17.50). For mains, try their classic fish and chips in White Hag beer batter (€21.50) or their warm seafood platter for two (€100) with lobster, prawns, crab and mussels with baby potatoes.
•linnanesbar.com
Where to stay
Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna
You can’t mess with a classic, and the Wild Honey Inn in Lisdoonvarna has been offering the very best of Irish hospitality since 2009. They have also been the only gastropub in Ireland to be awarded a Michelin star (first in 2017), thanks to their stellar food offering; masterfully executed by chef Aidan McGrath.
While, sadly, Aidan and the team have ended their dinner service offering, the breakfast at the Wild Honey Inn is the best you will find in any hotel or restaurant in the region.
They also have plans for other daytime food experiences over the summer months, so be sure to ask if any are in the works when you make your booking.
This absolute gem is located in the heart of the Burren National Park and is central to all the sights you’ll want to see. The beautifully restored inn, with a history that dates back to the mid-1800s, is cosy and comfortable.
Availability for June is tight, but there are still plenty of options for July and August. Rooms start at €200 per night for bed and breakfast.
•wildhoneyinn.com
What to do
1. Burren Perfumery
The family-owned Burren Perfumery has been in business for over 50 years making natural and organic cosmetics and it is so much more than a shop – it is a destination. Wander the garden, check out the scent apothecary room and then decide which of their flagship perfumes is the one for you (I’m a Frond girl, myself).
The Burren.
2. Lough Bunny
Take a picnic basket full of local goodies (like Burren Smokehouse smoked eel, St Tola Goat’s Cheese and Sourdo’Farrell bread) and set down beside this stunning lake. Enjoy your lunch among the rocks and gently lapping waves.
Read more
Toronto: visit Canada's cultural mosaic of global cuisine
Travel: magic of Mallorca lies beyond beaches in its culture and cuisine
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