Ireland’s restaurants and pubs have their traditional dishes as well as fusion food. At Ma Murphy‘s Pub in Bantry, I enjoyed my first taste of Shepherd’s Pie.

Just found this YouTube clip of Ma Murphy’s Pub. Surprise, surprise. I recognized Mary, the owner, as the lady who had served us. It also featured her best customer, Shaun, sitting in the corner of the pub. He had talked to us on our way in, and out. I just nodded in a friendly way. My Irish comprehension skills are limited unless I have a stout to go with it.

Shepherd’s Pie

On our last morning in Ireland, we stayed at a centrally located Bed & Breakfast in Cork. The lady owner from Creedon’s Bed & Breakfast (on tripadvisor) hugged us before we said goodbye. A nice young man named Finbar kissed me on the street. The Irish are a warmhearted folk. And their breakfast warms my palate too.

Irish breakfast

My husband, a Marylander, can’t get enough of seafood. Here we had lunch at The Waterfront (a.k.a. Chez Youen) in Baltimore, Co. Cork. It seemed this restaurant, along with two other adjoining ones, form the center of town, from where you have a great view. All in all though, I was a bit disappointed by this seaside village, because it is mostly residential. At least, we had a good lunch .

Seafood platter in Baltimore, Ireland

Here we are at the Elbow Lane in Cork, where my husband had this tasting tray for € 9,50.

Beer tasting tray at the Elbow Lane in Cork

The restaurant is often fully booked and many hungry folks had to be turned away or told to wait at least an hour. We are sturdy, so we decided to have a seat outside and brave the possible rain. We were rewarded, these were some of the best back ribs I’ve ever had. And the rain stayed away.

Decided to have a go at the kimchi salad, and it was delicious. Fusion food at its best.

Ireland is the best place to turn an abandoned church into a place to feed the hungry. This Church Restaurant stands in Skibbereen.

Church Restaurant in Skibbereen, Ireland

When we travel, we like to explore the culinary side of the country. The selection of food, as well as language usage, offer a good mirror image of its people. That’s hearty and kind for the Irish.