Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare
The Burren Smokehouse, run by the Curtin family in Lisdoonvarna since 1989, is the best-known food producer in the wider area, smoking organic Irish salmon and putting together gourmet hampers. Its visitor centre and shop are free to visit and make an obvious food gift to take home from a Clare trip. It sits in Lisdoonvarna in north Clare, a drive of about 40 minutes north-west from Ennis rather than in the town, so it is best combined with a day trip toward the Burren and the coast. Worth the detour for the salmon alone.
Organic Irish goat cheese, fresh and matured
Award-winning organic goat cheese from a family farm near Inagh and Ennistymon, a short drive north-west of Ennis. Farm visits and direct sales.
Known for: Organic Irish goat cheese, fresh and matured
Hours: Farm visits and direct sales; confirm current visiting and shop details at source
Local Clare food: sourdough, artisan cheese, eggs, vegetables and baked goods
The town's weekly Friday-morning food market, with local sourdough, cheese, eggs, vegetables and baked goods.
Known for: Local Clare food: sourdough, artisan cheese, eggs, vegetables and baked goods
Hours: Fridays, roughly 8:00-13:00; confirm current day, time and location at source