Right in the heart of Clifden this is one of the town's oldest bars and retains many of its original featured (including welcoming open fires), yet it has a fresh contemporary feeling.
It began life In the early 19th century as a traditional pub-grocery and has adapted very well, combining the best of old and new to make a very agreeable casual dining destination.
The owner, Shane O'Grady, is a member of one of Galway's most respected restaurant families. His father's iconic O'Grady's Seafood Restaurant, just around the corner, pioneered the town as a seafood destination for discerning diners and early experience there set Shane and his brother, Michael (O'Grady's on the Pier, Barna and Kirwans Lane/The Seafood Bar, Galway), on course to develop the excellent businesses that they run today.
The ambience is part of the charm, but so is the consistently good food and many regular return time and again for seafood favourites that include the house Seafood Chowder (served with homemade brown bread) Guys Seafood Platter (a generous combination of smoked salmon, prawns, crab, smoked mackerel, mussels, baby leaves, beetroot and crème fraiche) - and, for non fish eaters, or those days when comfort food is called for - their beef and Guinness stew and mash.
While there's an emphasis on seafood, menus offer something for everyone and there's a good choice for vegetarians and for children (including a free baby bowl) and a gourmet pizza menu, available to take away.
There's a full bar of course, and also some surprises on the drinks list - which includes a 'specially blended white wine' and also some Irish craft drinks such as Dingle Gin, Glendalough whiskey and, unusually, the excellent Stonewell cider on draught.
Although some customers will be uneasy about the no-bookings policy for dinner when the town is busy, this is a lovely place to eat, with engaging service and genuine Irish hospitality to match the good food.
