An Irish welcome: Restaurant pro Declan Maxwell's revealing staycation

What happens when the country's most celebrated restaurant manager, Declan Maxwell, takes a holiday around Ireland? Would the food and hospitality meet his own Michelin-honoured standards?

Declan Maxwell: "I like to think we have moved on from the “begorrah begorrah” Quiet Man tourist idea of Ireland and can hold our own against any other country when it comes to hotels, restaurants and service."

I always love to hear from guests about their Irish vacation when they are having their last meal with us in Spitalfields. 

A last night out in Dublin before they fly back to their homeland, all seem to say the same things; that we have a beautiful country, great food and, most of all, that the friendliness and hospitality of everyone that they encountered is unique.