Seafood in Kilkee

The next time you're at Doonbeg, don't be afraid to venture outside the resort. Only 10 minutes away, the seaside town of Kilkee offers an outstanding selection of gastropubs and restaurants. Naughton's, in particular, is a little gem of a pub. I say pub, but the food is outstanding. If the seafood was any fresher you would be eating it underwater. Alhough it's usually packed, there's a very laid back, relaxing feel about the place. Because they do such a great trade during the summer months, no bookings are taken. So simply arrive at your leisure and browse the menu with a nice pint of Guinness (one of the best I've had in the south west of Ireland incidentally). The jumbo tiger prawns certainly live up to their name. Each one of the beasts needed cutting into three...

Kilkee, you may remember, was the starting point for Tom Coyne's mammoth walk around Ireland in which he played every decent course the Emerland Isle has to offer... on foot. "A Course Called Ireland" is well worth a read, and although I may not agree with his ranking of Irish bars (my specialist subject), the book provides a very humourous commentary of his golfing heroics.

Just around the corner from Naughton's is The Strand - a fantastic hotel/bar/restaurant. Importantly, this place ticks my no.1 box - being allowed to eat from the restaurant menu while sitting at the bar and not feel out of place. There was even a widescreen plasma showing live PGA tour golf, so everything was all set for my perfect evening of post-round entertainment. The food didn't disappoint either. A strong fish menu was dotted with a couple of alternate choices, but why would anyone not order seafood when you can see the boats coming in 100 yards away from the window? The Strand is first-class and I will be certain to return next time I arrive in Doonbeg.