In and Around Westport, County Mayo

You'll have a splendid meal at The Tavern (10km west of Westport in the village of Murrisk, right under Croagh Patrick, 098/64060). Owner, chef, and bartender extraordinaire Myles O'Brien has put a lot of sweat, love, and savings into this place--and it shows. The Tavern is so popular with locals you'd be forgiven for thinking this place has been around for decades, but it only opened in 2001. Halfway decent modern Irish would have ensured the Tavern's popularity (seeing as you used to have to drive into Westport for any meal at all), so it's a delightful surprise to find it's good-value (a €48 dinner for two on Wednesday nights includes a bottle of wine!), top-notch gourmet. You'll also find live trad here on the weekends...and menus posted inside the bathroom stalls for your convenience.

In Westport, you'll find fabulous (and reasonably priced) vintage costume jewelry, prints, and other treasures at The Bar of Gold (Shop St., 098/24803).

Check out Ireland photos in the gallery.