Prominently located in the centre of Clonakilty, on the corner of Wolfe Tone Street and College Street, the Clonakilty Hotel began a bright new phase in its history in late 2013, when it was bought by husband and wife team Christopher and Patricia Byrnes. Following refurbishment, they reopened for the 2014 season and now run it as a family business and give it plenty of TLC.
The bar, restaurant and conference facilities have earned a following locally and the rooms, while not especially luxurious, are modern and attractively priced. Equally suited to leisure or business, they are offered in a choice of single, double, twin and triple, all with flat screen television and tea/coffee making facilities.
The Copperpot Bar and its attractive split level restaurant area have become popular in the town and the Byrnes's are proud to serve the excellent produce available locally from land and sea.
Early Bird and à la carte menus are offered by friendly staff, who also make sure that you don't miss the Specials Board and its daily fresh fish choices. Prices are very reasonable and there's plenty of choice, including popular starters like seafood chowder, proper scampi, chicken liver paté and a classic chicken and bacon salad, alongside the likes of Thai style mussels and golden fried goats cheese.
Main courses offer variety, including local meats and poultry as well as fish from the specials board, and a vegetarian option such as vegetable enchiladas.The cooking is good and attention is paid to the ample side dishes. To accompany, there's the local Stonewell cider as well as a full range of wines and beers.
Desserts include plenty of old favourites - apple pie, fresh fruit Pavlova, baked Alaska - and the poached pear in a cinnamon syrup with vanilla ice-cream is especially popular.
The bar is a convivial place to linger over coffee or perhaps the local Stonewell cider, looking out at the people passing on the street a few feet below you, or there's plenty of space to relax in the hotel lounge.
