Right at the west end of Kilkee, Margaret and Kevin Haugh’s friendly café sits atop a hill at the base of a stunning cliff walk to The Diamond Rocks. The views alone will tempt you to go there and view Bishop’s island and the three famous rock enclosed pools, called The Pollock Holes. Swimmers travel from Limerick and indeed from all over Ireland to swim in the warm waters of those pools.
This busy café is a modern building with great skylights and big windows which make it bright and allow wonderful views of the ocean, cliffs and the great circular bay of Kilkee. There is a large seating area outside and a life sized sculpture to Limerick’s well known actor and film star, Richard Harris, who was a champion racquet ball player in this holiday town.
The long open café has an enclosed kitchen at one end and two huge blackboards listing out the day’s chowders, sandwiches, salads, pizzas, panini, homemade cakes and desserts. Pictures of local scenes by local artists adorn the walls.
Everything is homemade here in their kitchen: bagels, pizza, chowder, soups, scones, homemade bread, open sandwiches, cold sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, panini and salads. Their scones, cakes and desserts, however are the favourites: the banoffi pie and snickers cheesecake, at about €4.25, are most popular of all.
This is a family run business, opened in May 2005, and it is enjoyed by locals and visitors, and many families. Prices are reasonable and the views, the buzz and very smart and friendly staff are wonderful.
It is so well located and attracts many, especially after a swim or a walk to the end of the cliffs.
