a
CONTACT

 
-

COMMENTARY
& OPINION—

REAL LIFE
INTENSELY
COMPRESSED

select
———
-

2010
TRAVEL

PACKAGES
& PRICES:


BRITAIN & IRELAND:
select
• SCOTLAND    
• 2010 PRICES

UP TO 19% BELOW 2009 LEVELS!

•

•
• IRELAND       
•
2010 PRICES

UP TO 12% BELOW 2009 LEVELS!

-  

•
• LONDON        
• 2010 PRICES

UP TO 19% BELOW 2009 LEVELS!

-
-
• ENGLAND       
 •
2010 PRICES 

UP TO 19% BELOW 2009 LEVELS!

••
• WALES
        
• 2010 PRICES

UP TO 29% BELOW 2009 LEVELS!

select
Booking Your Trip to
BRITAIN/IRELAND

select

-
•
select
SCANDINAVIA:
select
• DENMARK 
ct• NORWAY .   
ct• SWEDEN     
ct
•
2010 PRICES     
UP TO 23% BELOW 2009 LEVELS!

select

Booking Your Trip
to SCANDINAVIA

select
•
select
NEW ZEALAND:
sa
• NORTH ISLAND
• SOUTH ISLAND.
• 2010 PRICES     
UP TO 33% BELOW 2009 LEVELS!
select
Booking Your Trip
to NEW ZEALAND

a
———
a
Got Yours Yet?
ORDER A FREE

'VACATIONS'
CATALOG!

select
Got your 2009 Vacations Catalog yet?

select
——
select
DEALS AND
SPECIAL OFFERS

select

——
select
GET A FREE
TRIP PROPOSAL!

select

——
select
SUBSCRIBE TO:
HomEzine
our

FREE
TRAVEL
NEWSLETTER

sent by e-mail!
Each issue includes
the latest
Deals,
News and Features!
See the

CURRENT ISSUE.

select
———
select
CURRENT
FEATURES:

select
ADVENTURE
select
GOLF
select
LODGING
select
PEOPLE
select

———
select
CONTACT:
HOME AT FIRST
(800) 523-5842

info@homeatfirst.com
a
HOME AT FIRST

 

 

 

ADVENTURES IN IRELAND

Here's a helpful resource for Home At First
travelers on the road in Ireland—


Recommendations throughout Ireland

        It’s a clich้ in the US to stop at places where truckers congregate to find the best road food. In pre-war France, LES ROUTIERS was founded on the same principal as a network of hotels and restaurants offering French truckers home cooking and comfortable accommodation. Over the years the network has expanded to include other parts of the Continent and the British Isles.

        Restaurant recommendations for the British Isles from a group with a name like LES ROUTIERS may be off-putting on several levels. Politically, at the moment, many Americans have, as we say, "a problem" with the French. What do the French know about British and Irish restaurants that the British and Irish themselves don’t know? First of all, the French know road food. French fries and French toast are staples of the US road food menu. In Ireland, LES ROUTIERS has sniffed out the best of the local cuisine without being snooty. Their reviews are neither vicious nor Vichy. In fact, they are imaginative, clever, homey, personal, and sensible—the right set of adjectives also to apply to any cuisine that travels well.

        We’ve become so taken with the consistent quality and surprising individuality of the establishments that feature the red, white, and blue LES ROUTIERS shield that we now look for it when we are on the road in Ireland.

        This listing of
LES ROUTIERS recommended restaurants in Ireland is of good eating places in Home At First’s four destination regions in Ireland.

        Click the link to see the complete info at the very good web site: LES ROUTIERS


IRELAND
Selected L
es Routiers
Good Food Recommendations
in Four Home at First Locations:

1. COUNTY TIPPERARY — CENTRAL IRELAND: Country Choice, 25 Kenyon Street, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
    Restaurant, Caf้, Deli, and Gourmet/Farm Shop.

Country Choice is just minutes from Home at First cottages in Central Ireland.        "A veritable landmark for foodies from all over Ireland, Peter and Mary Ward’s unique delicatessen/caf้ reflects its owners’ passion for the finest regional farm produce, artisan food products and wholesome home-cooked meals. Painted a festive wine colour, with pots of magenta petunias adding a cheery touch to its exterior, the shop is chock-a-block with farmhouse cheeses, sausages, pates, eggs and meats; seasonal vegetables; home-baked breads; preserves and honeys; wines, teas, coffees and chocolate. Regulars usually head straight for the homely caf้ at the rear of the shop first, where a typical menu might feature braised chicken and ham pie served with creamed colcannon potato; black olive, roast aubergine, spinach and Abbey Brie savoury tart; and homemade lasagne. Desserts include homemade bread and butter pudding, mixed berry compote, and chocolate cake. Don’t leave here empty-handed; the cheeses are particularly notable, and the Christmas puddings are so good that ordering in advance is essential."
Cuisine: modern Irish
• Lunch main course from €9
Food Served 9AM-6PM Mo-Sa
Closed Sunday
• Has its own Art Gallery
• Won Special Award 2004: Coffee Shop, Deli and Gallery

Directions:
At the traffic lights in central Nenagh, turn left at Bank of Ireland. Country Choice is halfway down the street on right hand side. For more info, see this Les Routiers, Ireland, web page: http://www.routiersireland.com/country-choice.html


       Stocking the larder of your Central Irish cottage? Stop at Country Choice during your HOME AT FIRST visit to Central Ireland. It’s close, just 10-20 minutes from our cottages in Dromineer, Garrykennedy, Killaloe, and Puckane. For information about our program there, see: CENTRAL IRELAND.

2. COUNTY CORK — SOUTHWESTERN IRELAND: O'Connor's Seafood Restaurant, The Square, Bantry, Co. Cork.
    Seafood Restaurant and Bar.

O'Connor's Seafood Restaurant, on the Square, Bantry: mussels a specialty.        "West Cork boasts some of Irelands finest scenery: sparkling bays, pastoral fields and charming villages. In Bantry town don’t miss the friendly, unpretentious, and consistently value-wise O’Connor’s. After over 30 years in the O’Connor family, the business was taken over by Peter and Anne O’Brien in 2003, and they have maintained standards. The nautical-themed restaurant has a lobster and fish tank near the entrance, a cosy bar and comfortable booths. All fish and seafood is local. Try the house specialty – mussels – prepared 3 ways: grilled in the half-shell with garlic butter and breadcrumbs; marinara with wine and cream; or steamed in Murphy’s stout. You can splurge on a lobster; and non-seafood specialties include Irish sirloin steak, roast local lamb, and roast Skeaghanore duck breast. The Early Bird menu served between 6-7PM is a great value, and the reasonably priced wine list offers a global selection."
Cuisine: traditional & modern Irish w/ seafood specialities.
• Lunch main course from €10
• Dinner main course from €19
• House Wine from €18.50
Food Served 12:15-3PM daily, 6-10PM Mo-Sa, 6-9PM Su from May to November.
Closed Su & Mo evenings November to April.
• Children welcome before 8PM.

Directions:
On the square in Bantry across from the fountain, next to the Bantry Bay Hotel.
For more info, see this Les Routiers, Ireland, web page: http://www.routiersireland.com/oconnors-seafood-restaurant.htm

        HOME AT FIRST guests to southwestern Ireland stay just minutes away from downtown Bantry, home of the best mussels in Ireland and a mussels festival every May. To learn how to plan a great vacation in Southwestern Ireland, see: COUNTY CORK


3. COUNTY DONEGAL — NORTHWESTERN IRELAND: Castle Murray House Hotel, St. John's Point,
    Dunkineely, Co. Donegal. Clifftop Hotel and Restaurant/Pub.

Castle Murray House Restaurant. The views from the cliffs are almost as fine as the food.       
"The magnificent location of Marguerite and Martin Howley’s ten-roomed hotel and restaurant – set against the Donegal mountains and overlooking McSwyne’s Bay – makes dining here a special experience. Chef R้my Dupuis menu makes the most of fresh, local fish and seafood in simply conceived, imaginative dishes. McSwyne’s bay blue lobster – from the tank – with spicy lobster cream is a particular highlight on the dinner menu. Either side of this, there are fresh or grilled oysters with beurre blanc sauce and a satisfyingly indulgent warm chocolate cake with white chocolate ice cream. Sunday lunch might begin with tartar of trout with balsamic vinegar and chive on blinis and proceed with roast leg of spring lamb stuffed with sage. Desserts such as honey cr่me br๛l้e or strawberry souffl้ are elegantly simple. The extensive wine list is dominated by French examples, with a good choice of half bottles."
Cuisine Modern Irish & French
• Set Sunday lunch: €26
• Bar snack from €5-€8.50
• Dinner: main courses from €20
• House wine from €19
• Bar snacks served 12N-3PM Mo-Sa (high season only)
• Sunday lunch served 1:30-3:30PM
• Dinner served 6:30-9:30PM daily
Closed mid-Jan to mid-Feb
• Closed Mo & Tu during low season
• Non-smoking
• Children welcome

Directions: Fifteen minutes west of Donegal town, direction: Killybegs. One mile off the main road for St John’s Point. For more info, see this Les Routiers, Ireland, web page: http://www.routiersireland.com/castle-murray-house-hotel.html

        HOME AT FIRST’s Donegal area cottages are just a few minutes away from the Castle Murray House Hotel restaurant. Want to visit scenic northwestern Ireland? Here are the details: NORTHWESTERN IRELAND                                        


4. NORTHERN IRELAND — COUNTY LONDONDERRY: Ditty's Home Bakery & Coffee Shop, 3 Rainey Street,       
    Magherafelt, Co. Derry BT45 5AA, Northern Ireland. Restaurant, Caf้, Deli, Bakery.

Prince Charles departs Ditty's Home Bakery following his visit there in 2004. The prince is an outspoken proponent of local bakeries in the UK. While at Ditty's Charles enjoyed a cup of tea and hot griddle breads. You can, too.       
"The focus at Robert and Helen Ditty’s family-run local bakery is on traditional, handmade breads from Northern Ireland. Fluffy, griddle-baked soda and potato farls, delicious wheaten bread and pastries, freshly made sandwiches and a diverting range of ‘wee buns’ are a huge draw for customers of Ditty’s. The lunch menu includes homemade soups, burgers, pasta and toasted sandwiches, as well as traditional hot dishes such as baked gammon with parsley sauce. All ingredients are sourced locally, and bespoke hampers and special occasion cakes are also part of the service."
Cuisine: Traditional Irish
• Main courses from ฃ5
Food Served 8AM-5:30PM Mo-Sa
Closed Sundays
• Non-smoking
• Children welcome

Directions: From Home At First’s Northern Ireland lodgings on County Antrim’s Causeway Coast, drive west to Coleraine, then south on the A29 as far as Maghera. Then, follow the A6 8 miles southeast to Magherafelt. Go to center of town, taking a left at top of hill in Rainey Street. The shop is located on corner roundabout. For more info, see this Les Routiers, Ireland, web page: http://www.routiersireland.com/dittys-home-bakery-coffee-shop.html

        While this location is some distance from HOME AT FIRST’s Northern Ireland cottages along the Antrim coast, it makes an ideal lunch stop on a day’s excursion to the delightful Ulster American Folk Park north of Omagh (see: http://www.folkpark.com/). Yearn to visit Northern Ireland? HOME AT FIRST can make all the arrangements. See: NORTHERN IRELAND


Watch for more excellent eating along Irish waysides
in unusual establishments marked with the
LES ROUTIERS shield.
Les Routiers is an Anglo-French organization devoted to providing
recommendations of independent restaurants, food & wine sources,
lodging, and attractions throughout Britain and Ireland.
Les Routiers is in no way affiliated with Home At First.

HOME AT FIRST offers travel to four regions of Ireland, six regions of England,
five regions of Scotland, and two regions of Wales. You can have your own
cottage or apartment in the British Isles location of your dreams.
Minimum rental is one week, and you can mix and match
with other
HOME AT FIRST destinations:
SCOTLAND    ENGLAND     IRELAND  and  WALES

— YOUR DREAM TRIP BEGINS BY CONTACTING HOME AT FIRST

HOME AT FIRST