Castlemartyr Resort

Situated in the Manor House, the Bell Tower Restaurant is one of four unique dining options at Castlemartyr Resort in East Cork.

The restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience with the very best of modern Irish cuisine, prepared using the finest local and seasonal produce. A selection of vegetarian options and low calorie dishes are also available, ensuring absolutely everyone is catered for.

All food is carefully prepared by Head Chef Kevin Burke and his very dedicated team, who pride themselves on the fact that every meal served comes from one kitchen at the hotel, be it tasting menu, room service or the ever-popular Afternoon Tea.

How long have you been working professionally and what inspired you to get into the food industry?

21 years. My family had a fishmonger business in the English Market in Cork and as a child I helped deliver fish to restaurants around Cork City. I was always fascinated at the inner workings of these kitchens when I visited them.

How long have you been working at Castlemartyr and what brought you there?

10 years since the start of April. The prestige of working in such a beautiful place. The executive chef at the time was well known in the industry and the opportunity to work with him on developing the product was a massive draw.

Why do you think East Cork is becoming such a popular culinary destination?

I think it’s a combination of the great local produce that’s now available, along with the creativity of the restaurants in the area. The bonus of being on both the Wild Atlantic Way and the Ancient East routes has certainly helped, with an increase of visitors to the area.

How has the Irish food industry changed since you started out?

There has definitely been a move towards more lighter dishes and the provenance of the cuisine has become important and a move away from the classics. Diners’ palates have certainly developed with people always looking to try something new.

What dining options does your restaurant offer?

On the resort we have several options. We have our fine dining Bell Tower Restaurant; open seven days a week. Franchinis our Italian Restaurant is open every evening. Our newly refurbished Clubhouse Restaurant, offers all day dining and, most recently we have opened the Garden Room; all day dining in the Manor House part of the Hotel.

Can you source good produce locally?

Yes. Especially in recent times; the amount of new local producers has grown greatly.

Who has been the most famous person you have cooked for?

Queen of England, Elizabeth II.

Head Chef: Kevin Burke