The Old Fort

Is a pleasant and historically interesting site right beside the Shannon, this restaurant is in a restored fort and has oodles of character. The proprietor, Fergal Moran, grew up here and, having fulfilled a lifetime ambition to restore the fort, opened it as a restaurant in 2002.

You arrive into a large and welcoming reception area and bar, which has lovely old timbers, a fine bar and comfortable sofas beside an open fire - and an extra dining space, which is useful at busy times or for guests who can’t manage the stairs.

The main dining room is upstairs and the ambience is lovely, with old wooden floors, well-spaced polished wood tables smartly laid with starched linen napkins and candles.

Head chef Marie Haverty joined the restaurant in 2008, and house specialities are now exotic meats such as kangaroo, ostrich and crocodile. However, as ever, the simplest dishes are often best – a juicy local steak, cooked as ordered, makes a very good meal and, together with attentive service and lovely surroundings, can make for a memorable outing.

Seats 80 (private room, 30); children welcome (high chair, childrens menu); toilets wheelchair accessible; reservations advised. D Wed-Sun, from 5.30-9pm (Sun, in summer only, 5-8); L Fri-Sun only 12.30-3. Value D about €25 (Wed-Thu, 5-9.30 & Fri-Sat 5-7), Set 2/3 course D about €27/40, also á la carte. Set Sun L, about €23.50. House wine €18.50. Small weddings. Closed 3 weeks Jan. month of Nov. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

http://www.ireland-guide.com/