Cork and Down have topped the Michelin choices for best pub grub in Ireland.

A total of 34 pubs secured listings in the 2015 Michelin ‘Eating Out In Pubs’ guide which was released yesterday.

However, some counties fared better than others: Cork and Down, with six listings each, topped the pile, followed by Clare with four and Mayo with three.

Galway, Kerry, and Kildare each received two listings, with Dublin, Leitrim, Louth, Sligo, Tipperary, Westmeath, Wexford, Antrim, and Wicklow each having one listing.

The pubs that made the grade include four in West Cork’s tourist heartland:

-Mary Ann’s in Castletownshend, Poacher’s Inn in Bandon, An Súgan in Clonakilty, and Deasy’s in nearby Ring village. The other two in Co Cork are Cronin’s in Crosshaven and Toddies at The Bulman in Kinsale.

Both Deasy’s and Toddies at The Bulman also secured an Inspector’s Favourite commendation cited as “establishments worthy of additional consideration”.

Other Munster pubs listed include:

-Clare: Morrissey’s (Doonbeg); Vaughan’s Anchor Inn (Liscannor); Wild Honey Inn (Lisdoonvarna); Linnane’s Lobster Bar (New Quay).

-Kerry: O’Neill’s Seafood Bar; QC’s (both in Caherciveen)

The 2015 guide’s editor, Rebecca Burr, said: “It’s no surprise that Cork has quite a few listings. It’s already well regarded as a foodie destination. Places like Toddies at The Bulman and Deasy’s really do set the bar. They are great traditional places and have been in the guide year after year.”

She said that while there was room for improvement in some counties, what the Michelin guide really looked for was good quality food and good hospitality.

“Look at a place like O’Dowd’s in Roundstone [Co Galway],” said Ms Burr. “You get great simple food like crab claws, a pint of Guinness and the atmosphere hits you as soon as you walk in the door. We still look for places with good home cooking and traditional recipes, that’s what we are after.”

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