U is for Unwind

Unwinding in Dungarvan

In Dungarvan you are spoiled for choice when it comes to dining.  So I will only show you a few of my favorite haunts.

Photo: Dylan Walsh, Bet I Can Get 5000 People That Love Dungarvan

As you stroll along the Quay there is the Indian Ocean, with the best Tandoori Prawns.

Photo: The Indian Ocean

And the Interlude, which I mentioned in my "Q for Quay" post. The Interlude is owned and run by local chef, Susan Denn. 

Photo: The Interlude

And the Moorings which featured in the "T for Tribes" post.

Photo: The Moorings/Dungarvan Photo Album Old and New

Now you may think that is all my town has to offer but y0u are soooooo wrong. Dungarvan boasts Tannery on Quay Street. This fine dining restuarnt was voted Ireland's Best Restaurant in 2013 The Tannery is owned and run by Paul Flynn, one of Ireland's foremost chefs and his wife Maire.

Photo: The Tannery

Crews is a Steak and Seafood Restuarant located just around the corner from The Tannery on Church Street in a building that dates back to the 16th Century. Crews is owned and run the Horsom sisters,  Róisín and Jane. Both top class professionally trained chefs.

Photo: Crews

There's is Merry's Bar and Restaurant across the road from The Tannery and Crews for more casual dining. History of Merry's Wine Merchants can be found on post for the "Letter O",

Photo: Merry's

Moving up Main Street towards the square, you will come across Jitterbeans. A great place to buy lunch on the run. 

Photo: Jitterbeans

Round the corner onto the Square and you will find Ormond's Cafe.  A perfect stop for tea and a scone, or if you are feeling indulgent a slice of tart.

Photo: Ormond's Cafe

Also located on the Square is one of my favorite lunch spots, The Local.
The Local is owned and run by Donnchadh and Helena Gough.  Irish Traditional Music is Donnchadh's forté. Donnchadh, one of the founding members of he band Danú, plays both the uileann pipes and bodhrán. And the food locally sourced is Great too!

Photo: The Local

For family dining you can't bet "The Shamrock" on O'Connell Street. Owned and run by Una and John O'Riordan.  Where you get a great Irish Breakfast, lunch and dinner at a very reasonable price. 

Photo: The Shamrock

So there you are now. I hope you enjoyed my walking tour, stopping at a few of my favourite eateries in Dungarvan. 

O is for Old Market House

The Old Market House

Photo by Ann Ormond Fennell (me)

The Old Market House is located on Lower Main Street, formerly known as Parnell Street. It is a beautiful Greek revival building in the pre-civil war style, 1642.  A deed dated 1647 refers to a building, located on the site of the Old Market House as “the courthouse.” It is unclear if this is the same building.

Old Market House at the end of the road.
Photo courtesy of Waterford Co. Museum

The Market House was used for public executions. Canon Power, states in his history, that John Clancy, parish priest and Edmond Hore, curate of Dungarvan, were among those executed here in 1642.  Many other prominent citizens were executed in the Market Place, during the occupation of the town, by the Anglican Royalist, Lord Inchiquin in 1642.

Old Market House in the background
Photo courtesy of Waterford Co. Museum

In or around 1700, the area in front of the building was known as “Market Place” and the center of the town.  The building was a butter market, with council offices overhead.

Irish Patriot, Edmond Power was hanged from a window of the Market House in 1799 for his involvement with the United Irishmen.

Photo by Damien Geoghagan: Things You Miss About Dungarvan

In 1868, Robert A. Merry & Co. Ltd. purchased the building, for offices and a storehouse for their, grocery, wine and spirit business.

Photo by Damien Geoghagan: Things You Miss About Dungarvan

In 1984 the building was once again refurbished and converted into The Dungarvan Library and Museum until 1999.

Photo by Ann Ormond Fennell (me)

In 1996 Waterford County Council employed Margaret Organ as Arts Officer and recommended the Old Market House be renovated into an Art Centre for the town.

Gallery in Art Centre.
Photo by Ireland.com

On April 10, 2000 the Old Market House Arts Centre was officially opened as an Arts Centre for County Waterford by the then, Minister for the Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht, and the Islands, Síle de Valera T.D.

Dungarvan Museum Society

A multi-purpose room 'Seomra de Paor' is located on the upper floor of the Arts Centre, and is named after the above mentioned Edmond Power.