This article is from the Tourism Ireland Web Site, and we thought that we would share it with you, enjoy đ
Food Stories of the Wild Atlantic Way
Clean Atlantic waters, a mild climate and lush green fields; the geography of Ireland and its food are inseparable. On the Wild Atlantic Way, Irelandâs natural larder is visible at every turn.
From grazing fields to fishing boats, itâs not uncommon for food to go from âfarm to forkâ or âtide to tableâ within hours â if not minutes. Supplying the tasty treats on your plate are artisan food producers and sustainable farmers that dot the coast and have long-seated relationships with the hands that feed you.
As you dine along the west coast of Ireland, you can also meet the maker. Stay on farms, take part in food festivals and learn traditional skills, like foraging and fishing. Itâs not a formal affair. Ask in the bakery, at your table, on the quayside or at the bar about your food and how it has travelled, to really get a sense of the Place.
Local ingredients and traditions matter. Smokehouses blend fish from the Atlantic with wood sourced nearby for unforgettable flavours. In Co. Clare, Peader Reilly, the master smoker at Burren Smokehouse, handpicks the best salmon and cures it with pure sea salt, before smoking with oak shavings â the traditional wood used since ancient times up and down the coast. Settle into the cosy Roadside Tavern to feast on fish with colcannon, a hearty Irish potato dish made with kale and natural butter.
Over at the Sheepâs Head Peninsula in Co. Cork, youâll find the birthplace of the international award-winning cheese Durrus, made using milk sourced from two local farms. Like many dairies on the Wild Atlantic Way, this farmhouse welcomes visitors, so you can see the process unfold before enjoying the mouth-watering results.
When youâre ready to unwind at the end of the day, the craft brew community of the west is at hand. In recent years, microbreweries have flourished in Ireland with real care and creativity gone into creating full-bodied beers and considered ciders.
Head to Matt Molloyâs pub in Westport, Co. Mayo for Clifford’s Connacht Champion Golden Ale, made nearby at West Mayo Brewery. You never know, you might even hear an impromptu tune â Matt is the flautist with iconic Irish trad band, The Chieftains. Meanwhile, at Dicey Rileyâs pub in Ballyshannon, you can sip on delicious Blonde Ale, brewed in the beer garden by Donegal Brewing Company.
Great food on the Wild Atlantic Way doesnât always mean fine dining though. Sometimes all youâre looking for is a simple fish and chips supper sitting on a seaside wall, or fireside scones straight from the oven after a long day exploring. Itâs a real mix.
Chippers, gastro-pubs, markets, restaurants, cafĂ©s, B&Bsand ice-cream parlours with a local pulse are all around on the Wild Atlantic Way. Indigenous Irish ingredients, expertly prepared means simple, unfussy food. Traditional methods passed through the generations have found new life with inspired chefs. Above all this, easy-going defines the atmosphere. Itâs all about the simple pleasures, so forget about a rigid itinerary and leave time to soak up the warm welcome.
5 Donât Miss Experiences
Weâve handpicked just a selection of unmissable food experiences on the Wild Atlantic Way.
For remote tranquillity with food inspired by life on the Aran Islands, take a look at Inis Meåin. Foraging and fishing are a big part of traditional life on the island, and the menu here reflects that.
For seasonal contemporary Irish cuisine with a Mediterranean twist, Vasco in Co. Clare operates from March â September. A remote find, the drive out there is as dramatic and beautiful as the food.
At Greganâs Castle in Co. Clare, expect modern dishes with organic Burren game and lamb. Or if youâre a dedicated seafood fan, donât miss Fishy Fishy in Kinsale – so good âthey named it twiceâ.
The John Dory, in particular, is sublime.
Finally, if youâre looking for Michelin-awarded and a buzzy atmosphere, try Aniar in Galway. This self-described âterroirâ restaurant takes its lead from the landscape, letting the course of the seasons dictate the menu.
These are just some of the amazing experiences to be found on the Wild Atlantic Way, and there are plenty more worth discovering.