Gilroy's Bar

Just what Ballymote needed - another pub claiming to be more than just a watering hole. Gilroy's Bar sits there, all proud of itself, as if serving actual edible food alongside perfectly poured pints somehow makes it special. And yet, here I am, reluctantly admitting that this place might be onto something.

Let's address the elephant in the room - yes, Gilroy's Bar in Ballymote has managed to crack the seemingly impossible code of being both a proper Irish pub and a legitimate dining destination. It's the kind of revelation that makes a cynical food writer question everything they thought they knew about small-town establishments.

I walked in fully prepared to write another scathing review about mediocre pub grub and lackluster service. Instead, I found myself doing something thoroughly embarrassing - enjoying myself. The Guinness (because where else do you start in an Irish pub?) was poured with the kind of reverence usually reserved for religious ceremonies. And unlike most places that treat the black stuff as their sole claim to fame, Gilroy's Bar actually backs it up with everything else they do.

The food menu initially made me roll my eyes so hard I nearly saw my own brain. Modern Irish cuisine with international influences? Please. But then the dishes started arriving, and my carefully cultivated skepticism began crumbling faster than their house-made brown bread. The carpaccio, when they're not heavy-handed with the vinaigrette, shows a finesse you wouldn't expect from a venue where someone's definitely wearing a GAA jersey at any given moment.

Their fish and chips deserve special mention, if only because they've managed to elevate something so basic into something worth crossing county lines for. The batter is crisp enough to make a satisfying crack when broken, while the fish inside remains perfectly flaky. It's the kind of dish that makes you momentarily forget about the relatively reasonable prices, which, while not bargain-basement, won't require a second mortgage.

The space itself manages to walk that precarious line between traditional Irish pub and contemporary eatery without falling into the trap of trying too hard. The outdoor seating area - when weather permits (which, let's be honest, is about three days a year in Ireland) - offers views that almost justify the trek to Ballymote. Almost.

What truly sets Gilroy's Bar apart, however, is the staff. In an age where genuine hospitality often feels as rare as a reasonable property price in Dublin, the team here manages to be authentically welcoming without veering into the artificial cheerfulness that makes me want to flee immediately. They're knowledgeable about both food and drink, and - most importantly - they seem to actually care whether you're enjoying yourself.

Live music nights transform the space into something special, though I'm still coming to terms with enjoying traditional Irish sessions without a healthy dose of ironic detachment. The crowd is an impossibly harmonious mix of locals who've been coming here since before the invention of electricity and visitors who've heard rumors of that perfect pint of Guinness.

For families (yes, I'm actually recommending a pub for families - what has become of me?), Gilroy's Bar handles the delicate balance of being child-friendly without feeling like a creche. The staff treats young diners with the same respect as adults, which is refreshingly civilized.

Look, I didn't want to like Gilroy's Bar. I really didn't. But sometimes you have to admit defeat in the face of overwhelming evidence. Whether you're in Ballymote for the day or specifically making the journey (and yes, I'm suggesting you might want to do that), this place deserves your attention. Book ahead for dinner - particularly on weekends - because apparently I'm not the only one who's been converted. And if you happen to see someone in the corner muttering about how places like this aren't supposed to be this good, that'll be me, still coming to terms with giving a pub in Ballymote such a glowing review.