The first year of spontaneous travel since the beginning of the pandemic, 2023 may have had its ups and downs – including some challenging weather – but overall it was a joy, thanks to the freedom to move around, re-visit old haunts and discover a surprising number of new ones. Standards were also up and down, with disappointment and delight both found in unexpected places. Some of the highlights featured in our 2023 Awards but there were many more, including the small selection below – ranging from high-end fine dining destinations to pubs or little bakery-cafés, the places that linger in the mind all share a common denominator: genuine hospitality, honest food and a lovely way of putting happy customers before ambition or convenience to themselves. This is just a sprinkling of the places around the country that made travelling a pleasure this year – and there are plenty more to come another time. 

1826 Adare
Adare Co Limerick

Just across the road from another of our favourite destinations, The Dunraven Arms, leading chef Wade Murphy and his wife Elaine’s rustic chic restaurant is in one of this postcard-pretty village’s most charming cottages. The restaurant is in three rooms and never fails to delight. With its lovely combination of the traditional themes that go with the territory in Adare – the old spinning wheel in an alcove, the black cast iron kettle beside the fire – alongside the stylishly simple modern, it has great charm. Having opted to move away from his fine dining background, Wade offers keenly-priced, elegant comfort food. As would be expected of a Euro-Toques chef (and former Commissioner General), valued suppliers are detailed on menus and many are name checked on dishes too. The monthly-changing menus are built on this super-fresh seasonal produce, with daily blackboard specials offering extras such as whole sole on the bone and deeply flavoursome braised meats. Topnotch classically based cooking in a relaxed style – seriously delicious food, and at a very fair price, matched by warmly efficient service by Elaine and her team. Always a must-visit destination in Adare.