Michelin pub guide: which Irish pubs made the grade?

Thirty Irish pubs feature in Michelin’s recently published Eating Out in Pubs Guide for 2018. Twenty-two of the pubs featured are based in the Republic of Ireland, while eight are in Northern Ireland.

Last year, 32 Irish pubs were featured in the guide.

There was just one new Irish entry to the prestigious guide: Bull & Ram in Ballynahinch, Co Down.

Co Down leads with seven listings, followed by Clare and Cork, with four pubs each making the list.

Lisdoonvarna’s Wild Honey Inn is the only Irish pub in the guide that holds a coveted Michelin star, which they received earlier this month.

Aidan McGrath, the owner and chef of Wild Honey Inn emphasised how positive it is for the business to receive attention in the press, given the inn’s somewhat remote location. “It’s nice to get the media attention,, particularly for us being in rural Ireland. It’s also great to see Clare so well represented with four pubs listed.”

Wild Honey Inn and Toddies at the Bullman in Kinsale both retained their “Inspector’s Favourite” commendation, described in the guide as “establishments found to be particularly charming and which offer something extra special”.

Morrissy’s Pub in Doonbeg also stands out from the other establishments in the guide as the only Bib Gourmand recipient listed. The Bib Gourmand is awarded to establishments that offer high quality food at affordable prices of €40 or less.

Hugh McNally, the owner of Morrissey’s said: “It’s fantastic for us to be included in the bib, and in the guide again. We’re very proud of Adrian the chef and the kitchen team.” Morrissey’s was first featured in the guide in 2014.

Morrissey’s is a family-run establishment, now in its fourth generation. “In the future we’re just going to work on retaining our inclusion in the guide. We’ve no plans to expand, we’re keeping it nice and small.”

Speaking at the unveiling of the newest edition of the guide, editor Rebecca Burr said: “This year we have seen so many pubs get a new lease of life by placing greater emphasis on food. It’s great to see pubs being rejuvenated this way as they are often the heartbeat of our towns and villages.”

The full list of Irish establishments included in the guide is:

Antrim
Billy Andy's (Mounthill, near Larne)

Clare
Morrissey's (Doonbeg)
Vaughan's Anchor Inn (Liscannor)
Wild Honey Inn (Lisdoonvarna)
Linnane's Lobster Bar (New Quay)

Cork
Poacher's Inn (Bandon)
Deasy's (Clonakilty)
Cronin's (Crosshaven)
Toddies at The Bulman (Kinsale)

Down
Bull & Ram (Ballynahinch)
Pheasant (Annahilt)
Poacher's Pocket (Comber)
Parson's Nose (Hillsborough)
Plough Inn (Hillsborough)
Pier 36 (Donaghadee)
Balloo House (Killinchy)

Dublin
Old Spot (Ballsbridge)
Chop House (Ballsbridge)

Galway
Moran's Oyster Cottage (Kilcolgan)
O'Dowd's (Roundstone)

Kildare
Harte's (Kildare)
Ballymore Inn (Ballymore Eustace)
Fallon's (Kilcullen)

Leitrim
Oarsman (Carrick-on-Shannon)

Louth
Fitzpatricks (Jenkinstown)

Mayo
The Tavern (Murrisk)
Sheebeen (Westport)

Sligo
Hargadons (Sligo Town)