Rathmullan House

Rathmullan, Lough Swilly, Co Donegal.

You couldn’t find a more idyllic location than this if you tried! Hovering high above the shores of Lough Swilly, nestled among a mature woodland, in wild and beautiful Co Donegal is the stunning Rathmullan House. The landscaped grounds are spectacular, the house is magnificent with luxurious country house bedrooms, log fires, comfy period sitting rooms, antiques, and that air of calm that pervades these lovely old residences and as for the food simply delectable. It spells comfort, elegance and grace, in a place beautiful and breathtaking.

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Renvyle House Hotel

Renvyle, Connemara, Co Galway.

Set on 200 acres of woodland and lakes at the foot of the Twelve Bens this sea-grey historic country house hotel on the wild Connemara coast, has everything to make a good holiday great. Executive Eurotoque Chef Tim O’Sullivan has reigned supreme in the kitchen in Renvyle House Hotel for some 20 years. Imagination and flair are the trademarks of a great chef and Tim’s recipes have both in buckets.

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Restaurant at Brown Thomas

3rd Floor Brown Thomas, Grafton Street, Dublin 2.

Located on one of Dublin’s premier shopping streets in one of Europe’s most glitzy shopping outlets. Yet again, Domini and Peaches Kemp and their excellent team deliver wonderful, upbeat service in no small way owing to the leadership and competence of restaurant manager, Conrad Robinson. Under Executive Chef Gavin Pedersen’s watchful eye, is consistent, perfectly judged and simple. The produce is allowed to shine and the menu delivers exactly what the weary shopper wants with many fellow Good Food Ireland Members regularly featured. The Restaurant at Brown Thomas is a true gem and a little haven in our busy metropolis.

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Restaurant FortyOne @ Residence

41 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2.

Overlooking the beauty of St Stephen’s Green this ivy clad Georgian house is an intimately serene setting in the heart of Dublin City for the elegant dining experience that is Restaurant FortyOne @ Residence. Relax in the opulence of this award-winning luxurious restaurant. You know your tastebuds will be well impressed by culinary treats delivered by Executive Chef Graham Neville and his team with starters of roast Dinish Island scallops, organic onions, coral bisque which deliver far more than a taste of the sea. And follow this with Loin of black pork, local York cabbage, pumpkin and natural juices shows chef Neville is not afraid of his roots, the gutsy elegance of the dish being at once brash and restrained, the flavours delivering real depth and length.

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Richy’s Bar and Bistro

Wolfe Tone Street, Clonakilty, Co Cork.

When it comes to providing good food, great service and highlighting local produce Richy Virahsawmy means business. At Richy’s Bar and Bistro in Clonakilty it’s all about seasonal menus using the best of local produce. Eating here is about arousing the palate and broadening the mind - in equal measure. This eating space is modern and bright, with two separate dining areas and bar. There’s something for everyone here with a thoughtfully suggested wine list to accompany the delicious menu where care is taken to accommodate the needs of coeliacs, vegetarians and nut allergy sufferers.

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Rising Tide Restaurant & Bar (The)

Glounthaune Village, Co. Cork

Glounthaune village is a pretty little secret on the boundaries of Cork City. The Rising Tide pub, nestled right at it’s heart, is a haven to escape to from city life, or when you want to find a special place worth taking a detour for. It’s waterside location on the river estuary takes you away from the hustle and bustle of Cork. Only a stone’s throw from the busy road east, but when you enter the village by narrow hedgerow lined lane, you really do get the feeling you are in another place entirely.

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Ristorante Rinuccini

1 The Parade, Kilkenny City.

This is no ordinary restaurant! Ristorante Rinuccini is a family owned and run award-winning traditional Italian restaurant located in the heart of Kilkenny City directly across from the city’s iconic castle. From the moment you enter you will feel the warmth of the Cavaliere family welcome. The atmosphere is truly authentic, the menu boasts classic Italian cuisine that pays a real tribute to the producers of the area and their Italian wine list is one of the most extensive in the country, in fact the Cavaliere family invite guests to visit their custom built wine cellar while you are there.

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River Lane Café

Bridge Street, Ballineen, Co Cork.

In the heart of rural West Cork, something very lovely has occurred in the last twelve months. A certain lady of considerable cookery skills, Susan Fehily, has made the transition from running a sell out stall in Bandon Farmer’s Market to opening her own small café. And she has made that huge leap with terrific culinary style.

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Roadside Tavern (The)

Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare.

If ever there was a typical Irish pub, The Roadside Tavern is it! This characterful family-run pub is one of the oldest in the Burren, and has been in the Curtin family for three generations and is now in the hands of Peter and Birgitta Curtin of Burren Smokehouse fame. Peter has a personality larger than life, and his influence is reflected in the atmosphere here, the wonderful traditional Irish music as well as the food on the menu, much of which is made by him at the smokehouse.

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Rua

Spencer Street, Castlebar, Co Mayo.

The town of Castlebar has been on the food trail for many years but when Aran and Colleen McMahon opened a second branch of Café Rua, it has become one of the very best in the west. The idea behind Rua is very simple – allow customers to eat delicious local food and also to buy to take home. Having sourced the best of local ingredients for some 10 years now for the original café, these are now available to buy in the deli downstairs and sample in the bright and friendly café upstairs.

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