O’Dowd’s Seafood Bar & Restaurant
Roy, Margaret and Nicholas continue the fine tradition of serving the very best of seafood at O’Dowd’s.
O’Dowds Seafood Bar, Restaurant & Cafe is located in the centre of Roundstone village overlooking the harbour with panoramic views over Roundstone Bay & the Twelve Bens. It has been run by the O’Dowd family for four generations since 1906. A bar has been operating on the premises since 1840 and it is widely regarded as the oldest pub in Connemara. It is now famous for its excellent fresh local seafood and it has one of the best pints of Guinness in the locality.
Our History
O’Dowds has been serving both locals and visitors since 1840. Originally known as “Kelly’s Hotel” it became O’Dowds in 1906 and has retained that name ever since. For most of that time it was a combined Bar and grocery shop, only ever changing temporarily to a Funeral Parlour during the making of the movie ‘The Matchmaker’ in 1996.
The grocery shop is now gone – although you can still see the hooks in the ceiling for hanging meat- Wood paneled walls and open turf fires give it an atmosphere of warmth and friendliness.
Our Mission
Our mission has always been to serve the freshest of local produce at a fair price in a friendly and relaxed environment.
We have always been focused on serving the excellent local Connemara seafood as well as meat, chicken & vegetarian dishes. All our breads are home-made, as is our seasonal Soups and of course our famous Seafood Chowder. We have our own Herb/Vegetable garden which supplies us (when in season) with Tomatoes, Lettuce, Cucumbers, Artichokes, Raspberries, Redcurrants, Strawberries, Apples, Mint, Fennel, Dill, Rosemary, Sage & Lovage.
We are recommended in all the major guide books, including: The lonely Planet, The Rough Guide, Georgina Campbell, Frommers & The Bridestone guide. We are delighted to have received a Michelin Bib Gourmand for three consecutive years, 2011, 2012 & 2013, the only Connacht restaurant to do so. And we were very proud to be voted best Gastropub in Connacht by The Sunday Independent readers in 2011.