Gourmet Dining Options
Note: Patrons are advised to make reservations and enquiries beforehand at most of these establishments to avoid disappointment. The facilities listed here are just a small selection of the many and varied opportunities.
Perhaps you are starting your visit to the magical waterways of Lough Derg and the River Shannon in Limerick City, the capital of the Shannon Region situated close to excellent air (Shannon Airport 24 km/15ml), with excellent rail and road links.
If so, you might like to drop into DuCartes at the fabulous Hunt Museum in Rutland St. This modern café/restaurant occupies a delightful setting on the river side of the museum overlooking the marina and offers lunches and light refreshments.
Getting to the lake itself and beginning at Killaloe/Ballina on the beautiful southern tip of Lough Derg, the Cherry Tree Restaurant (winner of ‘Best Restaurant in Munster’ award in 2006 from Restaurant Association of Ireland) offers a lovely waterside location and excellent contemporary cuisine.
Also in Killaloe/Ballina, Goosers Pub offers fine traditional Irish food cooked to order. With its thatched exterior and period décor inside, the pub is reminiscent of an old rural farmhouse.
Moving up along the hinterland of the lake on the Clare side, a pub and restaurant worth dropping in to see (even for the traditional music alone!) is Peppers in Feakle. It offers excellent of home cooking in a traditional atmosphere.
Another establishment in East Clare to watch out for is the Mountshannon Hotel, with its Harbour Restaurant, in the attractive village of that name.
When you are based in the pleasant lakeside town of Portumna in Co. Galway on Lough Derg’s northern shore, why not check out the pretty Red Oak Cottage Restaurant, just 10 minutes drive from the town for a venue with a difference? This restaurant can be accessed via the house boat [Need to double check with Neil what this means] and reservations are necessary.
Also worth watching out is the Ferry Inn, a traditional Irish pub and restaurant beside Portumna Bridge and the marina in Portland, Lorrha. This is a locally themed establishment that serves quality food, including fresh seafood, all day.
If you move further upstream on the River Shannon, perhaps a stop at XXXX in Banagher, Co. Offaly to sample good food and traditional music (JJ Hough’s pub was mentioned by Georgina Campbell re music etc in Waterways Guide but it isn’t clear if they serve food)????
Or why not check out quite an unusual place to have a good meal – the Old Fort at Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly which is a restored Napoleonic fort that boasts a welcoming open fire and fine fare?
Moving on to the North Tipperary hinterland of Lough Derg, perhaps you are approaching the area off the main N7 route from Dublin and the midlands at daytime? If so, you might like to drop into the highly recommended Country Choice Restaurant run by Peter and Mary Ward in the heart of the town.
As you head down the eastern shores of Lough Derg on the Tipperary side, there are a few choices worthy of special mention.
The Derg Inn and Paddy’s Saloon Bar in the pretty village of Terryglass, Co. Tipperary offer homely and welcoming bases where traditional Irish dishes are a speciality and there’s lots of good music to be had.
A little further south you will come across Brocka-on-the-Water, an award-winning restaurant with a splendid setting on the water’s edge at Kilgarvan. Excellent food and seasonal menus are features here.
At the lovely marina village of Dromineer, a stop at the Whiskey Still Pub and Restaurant just up from the harbour is worth considering, where you can enjoy good food and a friendly welcome.
Great food and music are readily available at Larkins white-cottage pub, with its distinctive red paintwork, in the lovely hamlet of Garrykennedy also in Tipperary.
