Irish Independent, September 2012

I can’t think of a better place to sip a bowlful of fresh seafood chowder (€5.95). An all-seasons institution at the heart of Roundstone, O’Dowd’s window seats overlook a working harbour, its brightly coloured fishing boats, the ever-changing water of Roundstone Bay, and the stony landscape of Inishnee Island. It’s far from the madding crowd.

This summer, seafood on the menu included local prawns, crab, mussels, oysters, lobster, turbot, megrim and silver hake, and O’Dowd’s recently added a new Irish craft beer list including Galway Hooker and the Dungarvan Brewing Company.

At heart, however, it remains an old-school Irish pub, with ancient wood, worn-down flagstones and waist-high counters framing the fancy grub. Bon appétit.