A Retreat Worth Seeking

Driving through the winding roads of western Ireland, we stumbled upon Monks, a picture perfect and beautifully restored pub overlooking the pier and gently flowing waters of the Galway Bay.

We'd not intended to stop, planning instead to push north for one last look at the Atlantic before turning south back to Shannon for the next leg of our journey.  But when the setting seems to beckoning, and the pub so impressive, it was a lure we couldn't resist.

What began with a cold beer, became in its own way, a fine Irish session.  A few more tasty wheaty beers were then accompanied by fresh mussels and soda bread.  The sun shone.  The waters sparkled.  And it became one of the best stops of our tour.

Starting at the foot of the Burren Food Trail, it's not to be missed with an ever rotating, season menu driven by a passion for locally sourced food - from hand crafted goat cheese through to locally cured smoked salmon.