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Dining in Europe > Killarney Killarney diners were once limited to the ubiquitous Irish stew, boiled bacon, and roast with two veg, but now the restaurant scene caters for even the most discerning palates. The quality and diversity of cuisine has never been better. From traditional to contemporary Irish, there is a wealth of choice. Other national cuisines feature in the Italian, Mediterranean, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, and Swiss restaurants scattered throughout the town. Most pubs offer bar menus during the day, but from evening onwards concentrate on providing liquid nourishment with a bit of craic thrown in for good measure. Restaurants West End House stands at the bottom of New Street, across from St. Marys Cathedral. A large rotisserie is the dining room centrepiece and you can watch the flames cook your meat to perfection. Vegetarians may find the pickings slim, but this is a popular spot for meat eaters. Further up New Street is the renowned Dingles Restaurant. Contemporary Irish cuisine is served in a cosy, casual atmosphere and reservations are a must. Moving up the street, Ma Reillys serves up those old favourites just like you remember from home. The Country Kitchen has fine baked goods and serves simple lunches and snacks, while Café Internet serves its snacks with cyber-time. The popular West Lake Palace has Cantonese specialities and reservations are advised for dinner. Further along the street is Busy Bs Bistro. This lively spot has a dedicated young following who seem to flow in and out for most of the day. Teos, just next door, serves Mediterranean dishes to a mainly tourist crowd. In good weather you can dine alfresco. Towards the top of the street, the Laune and Taylors has an old style atmosphere and serves traditional favourites in generous portions. A hop across Main Street and under the arch brings you to Old Market Lane. In complete contrast to the old terraced cottages, is the Cooperage. Sleek and cool, this fine restaurant serves cuisine that is as modern as its décor. Intensely popular, reservations should be made well in advance. Back under the arch and on the right is High Street. There is a concentration of restaurants in this area with a mixture of styles. The Laurels is world renowned for its "singing pub," but it also has a pleasant restaurant that opens for the summer. Located right on the bustling Market Square, the restaurant provides plenty of people-watching opportunities in addition to its Irish food specialities. High Street also features several coffee houses that serve tasty lunches. Sceal Eile, The Bean House, and Charlie Nelligans Hot Bread Shop are all good places for a snack or light lunch with a steaming cup of tea or coffee. For more substantial and wholesome fare try Bricin. Easily spotted with its stone face exterior, Bricin is deservedly popular with local customers. During the summer months, Bricin extends its hours and offers a dinner menu. Tucked away down a lane, and offering food along similar lines, is Stonechat. The lovely back garden is hard to beat on a summer afternoon or evening. The Sceillig offers basics you can count on, while nearby Gabys and Foleys have upmarket steak and seafood. For something completely different, Wilde Oscarz is an adventurous wine bar with a very creative menu. If you are in the mood for international fare, Sherkin Indian Restaurant serves excellent Pakistani dishes, Robertinos has Italian specialities, and the Swiss Barn has dishes from right across Europe. The south-eastern part of town including Main Street, Plunkett Street and College Street offers more eating opportunities with a medley of restaurants and hotel dining rooms open to non-residents. On Main Street, the Stella caters for tourist traffic all day and for most of the evening with basic, good value food. Paddys, over the Eyecatcher Boutique, is warm and welcoming. An excellent range of Irish dishes with French influences is served in a casual atmosphere. Mustang Sallys attracts a hip, young crowd for its burgers and other American-style cuisine while the youngest diners of all love Macs Ice Cream Parlour. If you venture into the Innishfallen Mall, Hermanns Continental Bakery provides tasty snacks from lunchtime until evening with delicious desserts to finish. Pizza Time has pizzas and pastas to suit all tastes and the two level Cyranos serves international café fare. Further along Main Street, there are several hotel dining rooms to choose from with the Ross, Killarney Park, and Great Southern grouped closely together. The International Hotel calls its bistro and bar Hannigans. A lane connects Main Street with College Street and is the location for a Taste of India. Sizzling Baltis and Tandoori specialities are featured on the menu. At the top of the lane and down to the left, you will find the Mayflower Chinese restaurant and the friendly Celtic Cauldron café. The Bombay Palace, on the right, offers another Indian option with an extensive menu and delivery service. Cronins family restaurant is nearby serving good, budget meals. The Killarney Royal has elegant hotel fare, while the Arbutus' award winning restaurant Pats has interesting, contemporary cuisine in a fun atmosphere. The McSweeney Arms and Failte serve traditional favourites. At the adjacent Outlet Centre, O'Briens Sandwich Bar makes the best sandwiches in town and serves them with a smile. For those able to go slightly further afield, Killeen House Hotel offers delicious dining in a historic setting in Aghadoe. In Waterville, The Huntsman has an extensive menu and a dining room with panoramic views. Those returning from a day on the Ring of Kerry often stop at Carrig House for an excellent meal or at Nicks in Killorglin as the perfect end to a satisfying day. Pubs Killarney has been honing the art of entertaining visitors for more than two centuries. If you are searching for a "real Irish pub," you will be disappointed, but there is still plenty of craic in the local watering holes. Coach loads of tourists are shepherded into The Laurels for an evening of ballad singing and toe tapping tunes, while the Danny Mann offers similar, but less formulaic entertainment. Buckleys and O'Mearas both offer traditional style music performed with precision. Murphys has been awarded a James Joyce Award for being an "authentic Irish pub" and having a friendly atmosphere that is full of interesting characters. A lively crowd fills Hannigans with a good mix of tourists and locals. The Art Deco décor of the 98 Bar contrasts with the norm and attracts older singles. A Harley-Davidson dominates the interior of Kellys Corner and the friendly staff serves a young crowd. Well-dressed natives go to The Cube to be seen. This snazzy bar in the bottom reaches of The Towers Hotel is the current hot spot and you could be turned away if your attire is not up to scratch. Both the Great Southern and Killarney Park hotel bars offer intimacy in elegant surroundings with the soft tinkling of a piano in the background. Outside of town, true pub character can be found in abundance. Killorglin pubs are famous for their traditional sessions and visitors are made most welcome. Cahersiveen has many old style pubs that combine a day business with pulling pints. Mike Murts mixes hardware with stout, while The Anchor stocks a fine array of fishing supplies with its beverages. The Fertha manages to combine food, music, and a natural spring. More sedate, Freddys Bar of Caherdaniel has a grocery/pub. Further along the Ring, Carrolls Cove has the unique distinction of being the only beach bar in Ireland. For a split-second on a hot summers evening, you may think you are in a completely different country, but the fun atmosphere will always remain unmistakably Irish. Entertainment in KillarneyKillarney maintains a holiday mood throughout the year. Attractions remain open, there are festivals for every season, and nightlife is always upbeat. No matter what your age or taste, Killarney provides a plethora of options. Street entertainment, sporting events, theatre, museums, art galleries, childrens attractions and lively nightclubs cater for a wide variety of interests. Festivals A large number of street artists and buskers make their way to Killarney. Many stay a few days as they travel around the country, while others are long-term residents. This makes for a great mix at the Market Square as artists vie for the crowds attention. During the summer, the town centre is pedestrianised from 7pm-8am. The quiet streets provide a perfect entertainment forum as onlookers spill out of pubs, restaurants, and ice cream parlours to enjoy the atmosphere. Street entertainment also plays a big part in the numerous festivals held in the Killarney region. The most popular include the Guinness Roaring 1920s Festival, Fleadh Cheoil Chiarri, Easter Walking Festival, Wild Flower of the Laune, and Celtic Music Weekend. The oldest festival in Europe, Puck Fair, crowns a wild goat king and launches three days of merrymaking in his honour. Those with an interest in equine affairs will enjoy the bi-annual horse racing at the Killarney Races. Even if you don't place a wager, it is worth going to savour the atmosphere. High fashion rules on Ladies Day when women with extraordinary hats compete for prizes. Just as exciting, but more down to earth, are the Rossbeigh Races. Maintaining an age-old tradition, horses race on the beach at low tide with the crowd scattering at their approach. If motorised transport is more to your liking, however, Killarney hosts a number of rallies. Each May, the town is alive with the sound of revving engines and squealing brakes as the Rally of the Lakes roars around the narrow mountain roads. More sedate are the various vintage rallies. The Olde Machinery Rally and Fancy Dress Classic Car Rally are held each Easter, while specialist car rallies are held throughout the year. Killarney town is surrounded by lakes and rivers and water sports are naturally popular. The colourful Killarney Regatta offers the perfect combination of nail-biting excitement and relaxation. Natives and visitors alike pack a picnic, grab a square of grass, and cheer on their favourites from the lakeshore. Slightly further afield is the historic Laune Regatta where sixteenth-century style Seine fishing boats compete at the river mouth. Later in the year, the Head of the River Race brings ultramodern rowers from all over Munster to the same location. Numerous fishing competitions are held in the region, including the Cahersiveen International Angling Competition. If you prefer to fish without pressure, you could always hire a boat complete with gillie for a Fishing Trip on the Lakes. The Arts If all this seems too taxing, a trip to the theatre may be just want you need. The Dochas Drama Group produces up to two fine plays each year, while the Killarney Musical Society concentrates on one full scale musical. Both are amateur, non-profit organisations. The National Events Centre at the Gleneagle Hotel hosts a professional music and dance production with a Celtic flavour during the summer months. Killarney Manor Banquet offers dinner theatre with a difference. Held in a historic building, guests are served dinner and entertained by costumed actors in the Old Irish manor house tradition. Museums and art galleries offer the opportunity for educational enrichment. The Museum of Irish Transport has a fascinating collection of vintage vehicles with an Irish connection. The Kerry Country Life Experience and Kerry Bog Village are living museums that give insight into times past, while Muckross House displays furniture and objects in a period setting. The Kenmare Heritage Centre, Valentia Heritage Centre, and The Skellig Experience all provide detailed information with a local focus. There is a large community of artists in the region and several galleries display their work. The renowned Frank Lewis Gallery features both Pauline Bewick and Ronnie Moore on a regular basis. Cunnighams Art Gallery provides a retail outlet for the Kerry School of Art. Dermot McCarthy and The Artist Gallery combine studios with commercial sales. In Sneem, The Way the Fairies Went leads the visitor through the villages interesting collection of sculpture. Children Children's interests are well catered for too. Cappanalea Outdoor Education Centre provides instruction in a wide variety of outdoor sports for all age groups. Glen Inchaquin Park is a good place to appreciate nature while burning off some energy. Children can get up close and personal with numerous farm animals at Kennedys Open Farm. Not as close perhaps, but just as thrilling are the wild seals and dolphins viewed on Seafari Cruises. The perfect answer to a rainy day is found at Killarney Model Railway. Here, Europe is displayed in miniature with tiny trains racing around famous sights. Killarney Cineplex is another option. Matinees are discounted throughout the week and the childrens CineClub offers childrens films at rock bottom admissions on Saturday and Sunday. Nightclubs Killarney becomes adult-only after 8pm when the atmosphere changes to serious socialising. Although much of the towns nightlife centres around its vast array of pubs (see Dining and Drinking), clubs take over as the night wears on. During the summer, most clubs are open seven nights per week. While the Danny Mann Inn bar features ballad singing, the Inn also features two different nightclubs. Alchemy attracts the over twenty fives, while the younger set bop the night away at Scoundrels. The Grand Hotel has a popular club that features live bands catering for people in their mid-twenties. Admission is free before 10:30pm. Revelles at the Killarney Avenue Hotel is quite popular with people who enjoy loud chart and dance music played in a party atmosphere. Most popular of all is The Crypt. Currently the in-place to dance and socialise, it is usually packed before 11:30pm. For those who like traditional dance steps, Sheehans has set dancing several nights a week, as does Darby O'Gills. Dining in Europe > Killarney
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