Pubs & Resturants in Kilkenny & Kinsale

I vote "pro".

OK - so need to be more clear (for some at least)
Lived & worked in London & Paris 10+ yrs so throughly grasp the concept. But this is the first time in The Republic, a car and B&B reservations. Naturally I'll ask my hosts, but thought to check here. Actually looking for names & addresses of places to go - as well as places to avoid. THX

Do you mean Co. Wexford? There's no Co. Wessex in Ireland.

Oops - typo - Wexford it is - thanks

I spent a couple days in Kinsale last summer. If you like seafood, we ate at both FishyFishy Cafe and the White House and had nice meals. If you go to the White House, check out their memorial wall to 9/11 fireman and families. Also ate at the Little Skillet but wasn't that impressed with the meal but nice atmosphere. I know that you asked about evening but if you get a chance, Don Herlihy does a great walking tour of Kinsale during the day. There is also a fun Ghost Walk that leaves from the Tap Tavern in the evening. We visited the Charles Fort and then walked back into town stopping along the way at Bulmans Pub which has a nice peat fire going. They are also known to have great music in the evenings. One night we went to An Seanachai on the main street to listen to the famous Liam-O. A bit touristy but still a fun place. Hope this gives you some ideas.

Two great towns

Kinsale - use your ears, or wander around and ask. Music changes all the time so.. Bulman is good food, great beef. fishy fishy, man friday all very good. Really nice wine bar on main street - max's? - but small, good music, great wines, cuban cigars etc.

kilkenny - our favorite town - very Irish. Per diem, Zuni, Fleva.

music = Kyetler's Inn ; Lanigans Bar & Restaurant, Pump House. Also Castle has spring music performances, check the web.

There was a bar called the Grey Wolf? Not sure if it's still there, ALso Lawlors is a nice hangout. The street Lawlors is on - John St.? - has several nice little pubs to try out

buy someone a brew and you've got a friend

Stayed in Hostel in Kilkenny two summers ago. Found 2 wonderful pubs with great music in the evenings. I stopped at a pub close to the Hostel bought a pint and asked where there was traditional music being played that evening. They knew where and sent me there. One pub was playing head banger music and I was also told that. Glad to miss that. One place we ate, cannot remember the name, was a small rest. with a white front, across the river and on the right, about 2 or 3 blocks. It looked old and like it had been there a while. There were a lot of old people eating there, so we thought it would be ok. Ordered fried chicken,got whole chicken, deep fat fried, and it came with some feathers attached. It was very greasy and was not appealing at all. Only bad meal we had in Ireland.

Stayed in Hostel in Kilkenny two summers ago. Found 2 wonderful pubs with great music in the evenings. I stopped at a pub close to the Hostel bought a pint and asked where there was traditional music being played that evening. They knew where and sent me there. One pub was playing head banger music and I was also told that. Glad to miss that. One place we ate, cannot remember the name, was a small rest. with a white front, across the river and on the right, about 2 or 3 blocks. It looked old and like it had been there a while. There were a lot of old people eating there, so we thought it would be ok. Ordered fried chicken,got whole chicken, deep fat fried, and it came with some feathers attached. It was very greasy and was not appealing at all. Only bad meal we had in Ireland.

Spent a week in Kinsale last September. Ate at the Spaniard on the hill - I think they call it Scilly Village. It was close to where we stayed and the food and service were good. Music starts at 9:30. Also ate at the Spinnaker on the waterside below the Spaniard. Food was good but the service was so-so and it was expensive. Ate at another pub the first night we were there (a Saturday) in the town. Just had pizza that night and it was good. Places were really crowded on Saturday and we had difficlty finding a place that would take us.

We were told Fishy-Fishy was overrated and chefs change every year at most places, so while Kinsale may be Ireland's gourmet capital, the actual restaurants that qualify for the title change with the chef. As you indicate, your B&B will probably give the best advice

J.Edwards Restaurant in Kinsale was in Steves book and our B&B owner highly suggested we try it.We had to wait because it was busy but it was excellent.

There is a pub in Kinsale that had the best music we heard on our trip. Not even sure I could describe it as a typical pub--more of a music hall--did not see any food being served. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of it but you should be able to find it. This place was not on the major street but a back street--a lane really. Across from this pub is an old rectory that had been converted into a residence. This was such a fun place--the musicians were happy to take requests and customers often got up and joined in the singing.

In Kinsale, we ate a great seafood meal at Dino's. Our favorite pub in Kinsale was the White House, where we watched the end of a Liverpool v. Chelsea football match, listened to a really entertaining singer--he engaged the bar in "Jack and Diane" and had many brews. I highly recommned stopping there for a pint.

To find some more
Restaurants here.

Hi Tom,
I think that you've picked two good places to visit--Kilkenny and Kinsale! It's been a few years since we've been to Kilkenny so I'm not up-to-date on restaurants but we thought the food and music was great in Kinsale when we were there in September.

I agree with those who mentioned Bulman Bar and Restaurant and also Spaniard Inn for both music and food! Max's Wine Bar had good food but it was very expensive. We also felt that Fish Fishy was over-rated but had a nice lunch at the Fishy Fishy Shop (market) rather than the Fishy Fishy Cafe.