Feature
Insider IRELAND
Great tips on where to eat, drink, shop, stay and party from some of the country’s most-talented locals
Westlife
Record-breaking pop sensations
HOW HAS IRELAND CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED OUT?
NICKY: “In the last 15 years, Dublin has really
started to thrive. It’s very cosmopolitan, and
a city of culture. The smoking ban helped the
country a lot, and a lot of premises have been
upgraded, with outdoor heaters. And that goes
for the restaurants and nightclubs, they’ve
raised their game, too.”
CAN YOU RECOMMEND ANY HOTELS?
NICKY: “There’s an amazing hotel in Dublin.”
SHANE: “The Dylan. It’s fantastic.”
NICKY: “It’s a boutique hotel out of the
city centre.”
NICKY: “And the Shelbourne Hotel has undergone
a massive renovation.”
SHANE: “I stayed there recently and it’s
top class.”
NICKY: “I mean, like Claridges. Shane, you
look into the bar, and it’s a very Irish bar. The
Guinness cocktails are unbelievable.”
MARK: “But it isn’t cheap. My dad got a
sandwich, and it was about 14 euros. It’s
ridiculous. It’s not somewhere to go on a
backpackers’ holiday.”
ANY SIGHTSEEING TIPS?
MARK: “Kilmainham Jail in Dublin is great for
Irish history. The Guinness Storehouse is also
good, and that’s in Dublin, too.”
SHANE: “You’ve got to visit Sligo [north-west
Ireland, where most of Westlife are from]. It’s
surrounded by beaches and mountains, and is
one of the nicest towns. It’s a lot smaller than
Dublin and very tranquil.”
NICKY: “You’ve got to see Kerry [south-west
Ireland].”
WHERE’S GOOD FOR A DRINK IN SLIGO?
SHANE: “Try Shoot the Crows. They do a great
pint of Guinness.”
WESTLIFE PLAY CROKE PARK, DUBLIN, ON 1 JUNE.
Sinead Moriarty
Best-selling author
WHERE’S A GOOD PLACE TO TAKE
YOUR FAMILY FOR LUNCH?
“A new restaurant called Avenue
in Maynooth [near Dublin]. It’s a
fantastic place to take the family
for a meal. Another great place
is Real Gourmet Burger on the
seafront in Dun Laoghaire. It does
fantastic organic burgers. I love
bringing the kids here.”
WHERE’S A NICE CAFÉ TO GET SOME
READING OR, INDEED, WRITING DONE?
“I tend to go to The Gables, in
Foxrock Village [Dublin 18]. It’s a
lovely family-run café, with friendly
staff, and you never feel rushed. I
often go and read here when I’m
researching a new book.”
HOW ABOUT A GOOD PLACE FOR A
GIRLY NIGHT OUT?
“There are lots of places in Dublin
for a girls’ night out. The bar in the
Dylan hotel does great
cocktails, so it’s
a good place
to kick off a
night. It has a nice outdoor space,
which is lovely in the summer – if
we actually get a summer this year!
Sheehan’s in Blackrock [south
Dublin] is another great bar, with a
beer garden.”
IS THERE ANY ONE GOOD BOOKSHOP
IN DUBLIN?
“There are lots, but probably the
quaintest is The Winding Stair
Bookshop & Café. It became a
famous landmark in the 1970s,
and a popular meeting place for
writers, musicians and artists.”
IS THERE ONE PICTURESQUE PLACE TO
RID YOURSELF OF WRITER’S BLOCK?
“It would have to be the top of
Killiney Hill. After a steep uphill
climb, there are lots of hidden
places where you can sit on a rock
and look out at the spectacular
view of Dublin bay. It would lift
anyone’s spirits.”
IN MY SISTER’S SHOES IS AVAILABLE NOW,
PUBLISHED BY PENGUIN.
Tommy Fleming
Chart-topping singer
WHERE’S A GOOD PLACE TO HEAR LIVE
MUSIC IN IRELAND?
“To be honest, if I’m going for a
drink I avoid bars with music if I can
help it. But there is one I frequent
during the summer when I take time
off – Crockets on the Quay in Mayo.
It has a trad session every Monday
[from June], which I usually end up
joining and not leaving until the early
hours. It’s a hell of a lot of fun.”
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE HOTEL?
“The best in Ireland has to be the
Ardagh in Clifden, Co. Galway. I first
discovered this little gem about 12
years ago, and I return as often as
is possible throughout the year. The
restaurant is amazing, with a fine
selection of wines, and the staff
could not be more friendly if they
tried. I loved this place so much I
got married there last year and the
party lasted four days.”
IS THERE A LOW-KEY CAFÉ FOR LUNCH
NEAR WHERE YOU LIVE?
“There are not too many cafés
where I live. It’s more of a pub lunch
type of place, which I much prefer.
But I would have to recommend
The Elephant and Castle in Temple
Bar, Dublin. I divide my time
between Dublin and Sligo, so I get
the best of both worlds.”
HOW ABOUT
SOMEWHERE
FOR A COSY DRINK?
“Again, that would have to be
Crockets on the Quay, near where
I live in Sligo. It’s a mixture of
old world and modern, and a
great place for a lock-in. My
other favourite is Neary’s, just off
Grafton Street in Dublin. It’s a
great place to meet some mates
and catch up over a pint.”
COULD YOU SUGGEST A GOOD
RESTAURANT FOR AN EVENING MEAL?
“Town Bar & Grill on Kildare
Street, off St. Stephen’s Green,
Dublin. Great spot, buzzing
atmosphere, well happening, with
seriously good food and a hip
crowd. You find yourself spending
several hours over the meal and
there’s no rush to leave.”
TOMMY PERFORMS AT ARDHOWEN THEATRE,
ENNISKILLEN, ON 2 AND 3 MAY, AND AT THE FORUM
THEATRE, WATERFORD, ON 7 MAY.
