Ireland in May

[pearls24]

Hey All:

 

Was looking for dinner suggestions for our trip in May.  We are staying at Slieve Donard, Bushmills Inn, and The Alex.  This is what was suggested to us but not sure I'm digging the sample menus.  Please let me know your suggestions.  

 

May 18 - Depart US

May 19 - Slieve Donard - JJ Farrall's

May 20 - Brunel's

May 21 - Bushmills Restaurant

May 22 - Distiller's Arms

May 23 - Brookwood

May 24 - Peploe's

May 25 - Depart Dublin for US

[Hawkeye77]

I’ve been to Ireland once and have heard of none of the above - not that I’m any authority, haha, but where are you going in Ireland? 

[pearls24]

9 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

I’ve been to Ireland once and have heard of none of the above - not that I’m any authority, haha, but where are you going in Ireland? 

Playing Ardglass, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Portstewart, Island and Portmarnock.

[Hawkeye77]

Just now, pearls24 said:

Playing Ardglass, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Portstewart, Island and Portmarnock.

That should help those familiar with those areas to help you!

[pearls24]

Nobody has any good suggestions for restaurants in these locations??

[Chanceman]

Trip adviser might be better if you are looking for restaurants. FWIW we ate at the Bushmills Inn and it was fine. The Harbour Bar in Portrush was ok too.

[ESOX ZO]

12 hours ago, Chanceman said:

Trip adviser might be better if you are looking for restaurants. FWIW we ate at the Bushmills Inn and it was fine. The Harbour Bar in Portrush was ok too.

Damn just ok at the Harbour Bar? I had that on our list to eat at after playing Portrush, did you try any other restaurants in that area? 

[pearls24]

Here is what I think we are going with.  Feel free to add any feedback:

 

Newcastle:

May 19th- Great Jones- 730pm
May 20th- Villa Vinci- 830pm
Bushmills:

May 21th- Bushmill’s- 630pm
May 22 - Distiller's Arms - 630pm 
Dublin:

May 23 - Fire Steakhouse & Bar - 745pm 
May 24 - Sole Seafood & Grill - 630pm  
 

[gm12673]

Some thoughts on your Dublin plans, May 23 and 24, from a local.
I would avoid both of them ~

go to FX Buckley’s on Pembroke street instead of Fire. Miles better food, and great steaks.  I bring US visitors there frequently and they love it.

Sole is overpriced and overrated - try Balfes in the Westbury instead down the street. 

 

enjoy the trip. 

[pearls24]

Ok so here is a recap from our trip.  

 

Night 1- Great Jones- food was mediocre at best.  It was a Sunday night and were were the only ones in the restaurant.  Apparently new owners took over in Feb.  

 

Night 2- Villa Vinci- this was pretty good Italian food for Ireland.  The owner was super nice and accommodating.

 

Night 3- Bushmills Inn- decent but nothing special other than some exceptional desserts.  

 

Night 4- Tartine in the town of Bushmills.  Excellent 6 hr braised Lamb Shank.  

 

Night 5- Sole in Dublin- great atmosphere but food was eh- worst salmon dish I've ever had.  

Night 6- FX Buckleys on Pembroke- had such high expectations but fell short.  Waitress was rude and not very friendly at all.  Ordered a 12 oz Filet medium and it came out grey and over cooked.  Mentioned something waitress and she just said it would take a long time to remake a new one.  Never sent the manager over or anything.  Did have a great Old Fashion though.  

 

Overall the food wasn't very good but the golf was outstanding.  Our first 3 days when we played Ardglass, Royal County Down, and Royal Portrush, it was sunny and in the mid 60's.  The last 3 days we had typical Irish weather so it was a nice mix when we played PortStewart, Island Club, and Portmarnock.  Portmarnock, Portrush, and RCD were my favorites.  Front 9 at Portstewart is exceptional but the back 9 had 2 temp greens and 2 temp tees off of mats that we were never told about.  

[ESOX ZO]

14 hours ago, pearls24 said:

Ok so here is a recap from our trip.  

 

Night 1- Great Jones- food was mediocre at best.  It was a Sunday night and were were the only ones in the restaurant.  Apparently new owners took over in Feb.  

 

Night 2- Villa Vinci- this was pretty good Italian food for Ireland.  The owner was super nice and accommodating.

 

Night 3- Bushmills Inn- decent but nothing special other than some exceptional desserts.  

 

Night 4- Tartine in the town of Bushmills.  Excellent 6 hr braised Lamb Shank.  

 

Night 5- Sole in Dublin- great atmosphere but food was eh- worst salmon dish I've ever had.  

Night 6- FX Buckleys on Pembroke- had such high expectations but fell short.  Waitress was rude and not very friendly at all.  Ordered a 12 oz Filet medium and it came out grey and over cooked.  Mentioned something waitress and she just said it would take a long time to remake a new one.  Never sent the manager over or anything.  Did have a great Old Fashion though.  

 

Overall the food wasn't very good but the golf was outstanding.  Our first 3 days when we played Ardglass, Royal County Down, and Royal Portrush, it was sunny and in the mid 60's.  The last 3 days we had typical Irish weather so it was a nice mix when we played PortStewart, Island Club, and Portmarnock.  Portmarnock, Portrush, and RCD were my favorites.  Front 9 at Portstewart is exceptional but the back 9 had 2 temp greens and 2 temp tees off of mats that we were never told about.  

Damn I JUST booked a reservation to Great Jones...I've seen a lot of subpar reviews on Villa Vinci too...dilemma. 

[pearls24]

1 hour ago, ESOX ZO said:

Damn I JUST booked a reservation to Great Jones...I've seen a lot of subpar reviews on Villa Vinci too...dilemma. 

Villa Vinci was miles better than Great Jones.  It was pretty basic Italian fare- a bunch of us had their bolognese, shared some pizzas, and some salads.  It was pretty good for Italian food in Ireland.  You might be better off eating at Slieve Donard vs Great Jones.  I'm not sure of what other restaurants are in the area to be honest.    

[Kaptain]

On 5/28/2024 at 6:04 PM, pearls24 said:

...  Front 9 at Portstewart is exceptional but the back 9 had 2 temp greens and 2 temp tees off of mats that we were never told about.  

 

This had me worried as we have a tee time there in few weeks. I reached out to the club and, though this doesn't help you, their maintenance work is done and everything will be back to normal on June 1. Thought that might ease others' concerns.

[hammergolf]

4 hours ago, Kaptain said:

 

This had me worried as we have a tee time there in few weeks. I reached out to the club and, though this doesn't help you, their maintenance work is done and everything will be back to normal on June 1. Thought that might ease others' concerns.

When I was there last year they had a team from the DP Tour scouting changes that need to be made to back 9 for them to host The Irish Open again. 

Edited May 30, 2024 by hammergolf