Michelin dishes out praise for Irish eateries

WITH its whitewashed facade and country setting, Fitzpatricks bar and restaurant in Co Louth is the ‘whole’ Irish experience.

That’s according to the 2010 Michelin Eating Out in Pubs Guide, the much-lauded list of which the Jenkinstown establishment is now a part.

Run by husband and wife team Danny and Dympna Fitzpatrick, it is one of 17 Irish pubs commended in the annual guide and boasts a pub, bar, restaurant and ‘beer garden’.

The guide maintains “characterful” is an understatement where Fitzpatricks is concerned. Visitors can take in the whole Irish experience without leaving the whitewashed pub, it says, praising the colourful flowers in old bicycles, boots and even a bed. It also finds fascination in the collection of old chamber pots inside.

Published this week, a place in the guide is a much sought-after accolade in the industry, singling out excellence in pubs and restaurants throughout Britain and Ireland.

Along with Fitzpatricks, the other new addition to make the final cut for the Irish selection was the Ballymore Inn in Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare.

The guide singles out Ballymore Inn for its pleasant staff, spacious dining area and Parisian brasserie feel. It notes that the owner is keen to promote small artisan producers, praises its generous portions and advises diners to leave room for the bread and tarts.

The two new additions came at the expense of the Cellar Bar at Dublin’s Merrion Hotel in Dublin and Daltons of Kinsale – which has now stopped serving food.

Old favourites include The Poacher’s Inn, a seafood bar and restaurant in Bandon, Co Cork.

Cork, Galway and Mayo account for three pubs each in this guide, while two Kerry pubs are listed. Clare, Kildare, Leitrim, Louth, Tipperary and Wexford have one each. A full list of the pubs in the guide can be downloaded at www.michelin.co.uk