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Ireland has an assortment of excellent restaurants all over the Emerald Isle. Most of the restaurants described in Ireland Dream Trip fall into the moderate price range (15-25 euro for a main dinner entrée). But eating out can be expensive in Ireland, especially if in addition to your main entrée you  have an appetizer, cocktails and wine, as well as dessert and coffee. It all adds up!

Many restaurants have either an early bird menu with lower prices than normal.  A set meal means that you will get a certain number of courses (3 to 5) for one inclusive price, which is sometimes better value. At other restaurants you can order a la carte.

The medieval banquets at Bunratty, Knappogue and Dunguaire Castles are great fun! Guests dine at long tables lined with food and drink while the costumed "ladies of the castle" entertain with music, singing, dancing and skits. The Bunratty banquet is medieval, while Knappogue celebrates the legendary women of Ireland and takes visitors on a Celtic journey to the past. At Dunguaire the banquet is smaller and more intimate, highlighting Ireland's best writers, playwrights, saints and sinners.

Meals are tasty and well-prepared. They differ slightly from each other but each feast includes an appetizer, soup and bread, a main course with vegetables, dessert and coffee. Pitchers of wine, juice and  water line the tables.

Banquets are held at 5:30 and 8:45 nightly at Bunratty. Knappogue and Dunguaire are scheduled from May to October and are subject to demand. Reservations essential.

E-mail reservations: reservations@shannondev.ie

Bunratty Traditional Irish Night Ceili is an Irish evening held in the corn barn at Bunratty Folk Park. The very enjoyable evening commences with welcoming drinks. Meals include a salad and your choice of Irish stew with potatoes, fish or vegetarian pasta. Wine is included. Dessert is apple tart with cream followed by tea or Irish coffee.

The show is rollicking Irish music and high-stepping dance performed with much enthusiasm. The theme "addicted to dance" says it all. Open mid-April through October (subject to demand), nightly at 7pm. E-mail reservations: reservations@shannondev.ie

Ireland's pubs are not merely bars. They serve the functions of meeting places and social clubs. Some pubs in the country double as the post office or grocery store. It is what the name implies "a public house" where families from babies to great-grandmothers gather for social occasions, dancing and music. Every pub is different and music usually starts after 9pm. Those under 18 aren't allowed after 10pm in the summer months and 9pm during the winter.

Most pubs serve "pub grub", a varied array of food from soup to sandwiches, salad to quiche, Irish stew to full meals. If you are in the mood for lunch or want a light snack instead of dinner, you will find it at a pub.

The Whiskey Fly Bar at Arnold's Hotel in Dunfanaghy is the perfect place to wile away a few hours in front of a blazing fire or for snacks and lunch. The rustic setting is enhanced by slate and wood floors, rough plaster and stone walls, and brick and stone archways. This is one of those cozy old-fashioned places that the visitor longs to stumble across in the wilds of Donegal. Comfortable upholstered chairs and banquettes provide seating. A big-screen plasma TV is available for those must-see Irish sporting events. Food and service are both very good. Moderate prices.

Phone: (074) 913-6208  Web: www.arnoldshotel.com
Email: reservations@arnoldshotel.com