J.J. Gannons, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo

Review

This is a find! This fabulous gastro bar and restaurant in Ballinrobe is serving some of the best food in the West. Run by the dynamic duo of Niki and Jay Gannon, the whole place runs like clockwork, while still being welcoming and comfortable. Make this a destination - eat, drink and relax in one of their comfortable rooms and experience a third generation business that's taking old style hospitality into the twenty first century.

Ballinrobe is situated beside Lough Mask and Lough Corrib and is only 8 miles from Cong and Ashford Castle. Needless to saw, the local scenery is fabulous, and there are numerous opportunities for fishing and outdoor oursuits all around. I went there recently with Deirdre Walsh, to get away fromm, well, everything really. Walking through the doors into the bar, the welcome hits you like the heat, and very well dressed gangs of locals peruse menus and drink execellent wines by the glass from a selection that some of Dublin's wine bars would be proud.

After dropping our bags and freshening up we came down for dinner. The dining room is in a modern glass and wood extension at the rear, and seats about fifty people. The staff are young and enthuasiastic, and we had menus, bread and our sparkling water in no time. The menu is extensive and ambitious, and makes a point of pointing out the origin of all the meats and produce served. The menu changes regularly, but choices included rabbit, duck, salmon and a vegetarian option. The presentation lives up to the promise and this is food you would be delighted to receive in any dining room in Ireland.

The following day, Niki arranged for us to go Falconing in nearby Ashford Castle, and I cannot describe the buzz of strolling around the grounds with a falcon on the glove. Think I am even picking up on the terminology.

Gannons is a great find, a modern facing business with it's charm still firmly inthe past. Go while it's still cool and mysterious, I have a feeling it will be become de rigeur before too long.

Gerard Carthy.