EAT & STAY

From comfort food to haute cuisine, here are three of our favourite restaurants with rooms...

Aherne’s, Cork

Sustainable sourcing may be in vogue right now, but it’s nothing new at Aherne’s in Cork, where head chef David Fitzgibbon has been sourcing fresh fish from fishermen outside his door in Youghal and growing his own produce for over 30 years. Today, this family-run guesthouse and restaurant is run by the third generation of the family and is every bit as warm and inviting as it was when it opened in 1923, ahernes.net. LGG

Aimsir, Celbridge

Aimsir arrived with a bang into the Irish restaurant scene in 2019, serving a unique all-Irish menu and securing their coveted two-Michelin-star status within months. Booking in for their fairytale, hyperlocal tasting menu can only really be bettered by adding an overnight stay at the charming Cliff at Lyons Lily Pond Rooms. Packages start from €495 for two, making it excellent value too. They release bookings monthly – you’ll need to be savvy to get one, but it’s worth it, aimsir.ie. AD

Clenaghans, Armagh

Best gastro-pub in Ireland? To my mind, yes. You’ll love this place, with its 250-year-old wonky walls, soft candlelight, roaring fires and Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded menu. Chef Leigh Ferguson’s moreish “wee Scotch eggs” are worth travelling for alone, while the adjacent courtyard cottages, fitted out by owner Ivan Downing, are brimming with personality and salvage finds, clenaghansrestaurant.com. LGG