Stella Maris Shore House

Wood-panelling and Waterford Crystal chandeliers set the tone at this sophisticated dining room within the Ashford Castle hotel. It was built in 1905 to honour the visit of the Prince of Wales, who later became King George V, and retains an impressively grand feel. Classic French flavours are to the fore, but are delivered with a modern flourishes, and warm Irish hospitality completes the picture.

This traditional family-run pub sits close to the river and is filled with pottery, bygone artefacts, fishing tackle and, of course, plenty of locals. Service is chatty, there’s a lovely deli, and they even have a lager brewed specifically for them. Flavoursome cooking uses local produce, with the fish dishes being a sure-fire hit, and all of the bread is home baked. The upstairs restaurant opens later in the week.

It may be found in quite a remote area near the Irish border, but MacNean House is a destination in its own right. Run by celebrity chef Neven Maguire, it houses a cookery school, bedrooms and this perennially busy restaurant. There’s a plushness to the dining room and a degree of formality in the service that make it a popular choice for celebrating a special occasion, while the generous tasting menu offers attractive, detailed cooking. The finest Irish ingredients are used and there’s no shortage of flavour across the dishes.

Located inside the grand 18C Ballynahinch Castle Hotel and surrounded by a particularly picturesque part of the Wild Atlantic Way, there are few more impressive locations to dine than here. Spectacular views of the grounds and river accompany well-versed service and modern, precisely executed dishes. The West Coast larder is used to great effect and features the likes of delicious mussels and clams from Killary Fjord. Be sure to fit in a walk around the grounds or spend time on the peaceful terrace before you leave.