Clonoughter Heights

A charming 200-year-old cottage houses this rural restaurant that counts the Atlantic Ocean as its neighbour. The lovely terrace allows you to enjoy a spectacular sunset over drinks, before moving inside to the characterful interior with stone floors, cookery books and rustic wooden tables. Wonderful Irish produce – such as glistening wild John Dory or flavoursome Burren Shorthorn beef – is used in equally impressive dishes that are clean and modern, with no unnecessary frills.

This pretty little cottage feels right at home in Adare, a picture-postcard village with brightly painted shops and rows of thatched roofs. Inside, there's a cosy, characterful feel to the place, which is run with warmth and confidence by an experienced couple. The interesting, attractively presented dishes proudly spotlight fine Irish produce like Dooncastle oysters and the famous Skeaghanore duck from West Cork; the black sole served on the bone is a real crowd-pleaser. On Sundays, a 'late lunch' menu offers good value for money.

Now being run by the third generation of the Vaughan family, this characterful pub has become something of an institution in the coastal village of Liscannor. Its Atlantic-adjacent location, impressive fish tank and walls filled with nautical memorabilia all give clues as to the focus of the menu, where locally sourced seafood underpins the cooking. The dinner dishes are more elaborate than at lunchtime, but quality produce and classically based combinations run throughout, ensuring a satisfying experience. Bright, stylish bedrooms are hung with photos of local sights.

Start with an aperitif in the drawing room of this whitewashed Palladian-style house, which sits within grounds of The University of Limerick. There's an old-fashioned feel to the place, with the grand dining room boasting ornate plasterwork, Corinthian pillars and an impressive art collection. Beautifully presented dishes have a sophisticated feel, courtesy of quality produce and a deft touch.