25 November – Tuesday Goodie Bag

This week’s Tuesday Goodie Bag features

🍽 The Enclosure

🍽 Moran’s

Our accommodation of the week:

🔵 The Marcus Hotel


The Enclosure

Website page HERE

The Enclosure is a stunning, award-winning dining experience at Arkle in the Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth. 

Read more here too :-

Our website :-

Executive Head Chef Bernard McGuane has designed a superb menu, which can be enjoyed in the luxurious restaurant with its booth seating, warm wooden features, reeded glass, velvet fabrics, and subtle lighting, all coming together to create a sophisticated yet comfortable space. 

The Arkle Bar is the perfect spot to enjoy an aperitif before dining, with its 1920s decor and breathtakingly ostentatious moulded ceiling, alongside artwork featuring the great Irish racing legend, Arkle. 

On the reverse of the menu, a map proudly details the provenance of the locally sourced produce used to create the dishes. 

We started our meal with some delicious bread and salted butter, creamy Burrata with artichoke, baba ghanoush, candied yuzu peel, and walnuts, and rich Roasted Pumpkin Hummus with a vibrant green chive oil, candied sunflower seeds, and sourdough croûte.

We had been told that the Seafood Platter for Two was not to be missed, and it was an absolute sensation. A wonderfully fresh fish selection featuring baked halibut, monkfish tempura, pan-seared scallops, Lambay crab claws, Killary Fjord oysters, prawns, steamed clams, mussels, and lobster arancini, all resting on a herb shellfish bisque. Outstanding. 

And the dessert of Green Tea Brûlée, with a yoghurt sorbet, pistachio, and white chocolate, topped with a zingy yuzu mousse was the perfect way to end the meal. 

Last year, The Glenroyal Hotel was awarded the Good Food Ireland  ‘2024 Food Lovers Choice Award for Ireland’s Ancient East’, and it’s not hard to see why. This was an exceptional evening of excellent food and terrific hospitality.


Moran’s

Facebook page HERE

We were invited to Glenarm for a magical evening meal in Moran’s and overnight stay in Rose House, followed by lunch the next day in Glenarm Castle Tea Room

Read all about it, see photo and videos on our website here :-

This incredible seafood restaurant is an absolute find for lovers of delicious fish dishes. 

Located in the picturesque coastal village of Glenarm, the interior of Moran’s is a cosy, candlelit haven, with indigo walls, aquatic themed wallpaper and artwork, and a striking central fireplace. 

The food is outstanding, with lunch and dinner menus, and an extensive specials board highlighting the local catches of the day. 

From the small plates selection we ordered a beautiful Prawn, Scallop, and Butternut Squash Risotto, cooked al dente, with flavours of pesto and Parmesan, topped with a citrus pangratatto for extra texture and zing. We also had a bowl of meaty Pil Pil King Prawns, swimming in a chilli and garlic oil, with flatbread to soak up the juices. 

We then had two wonderful seafood specials; moist Roast Monkfish Steak in a spicy green curry sauce with prawns, crunchy vegetables, and fragrant jasmine rice, and a stunning Whole Local Lobster with dressed green salad and crispy fries. What a luxurious treat! 

There are also options for those who prefer meat-based dishes such as Glenarm Shorthorn Beef, or Red Wine Braised Venison, and with gluten-free, veggie and vegan choices, Moran’s caters for all dietary preferences.

And do leave room for desserts; the Rich Chocolate Tart with sticky black cherry sauce, topped with a raspberry sorbet was a decadent delight, and the incredibly generous Irish Cheeseboard, which was more than enough for two (or more) to share, included five contrasting cheeses, all superb, but the organic Dillisk Seaweed cheese was particularly good. The restaurant is also BYOB, so you can choose a favourite wine to accompany your meal. 

Moran’s is the perfect culinary stop off when exploring the Causeway Coastal Route, visiting Glenarm Castle, or enjoying a walk in Glenarm Forest. Many thanks for the invitation to enjoy a fabulous evening of excellent food and hospitality. 

Opening Hours –

Friday & Saturday 12:00-22:00

Sunday 12:00 – 21:00


The Marcus Hotel

Website HERE

Read more and see photos and videos here :-

Part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, The Marcus on Portrush’s Main Street has its official opening in November. This sympathetically restored Victorian building has retained and preserved many original architectural features, including its mosaic signage and intricate tiling, whilst ensuring a comfortable stay with its luxurious and contemporary attention to detail. 

The Marcus is the ideal location for holiday-makers looking for a seaside retreat, golfers who can enjoy the neighbouring Royal Portrush Golf Course, & tourists from far & wide who flock to the area to discover more about the North Coast’s fascinating heritage including the Giants Causeway, and Bushmills Distillery. 

Our spacious King Deluxe Room had a relaxing vibe with its fresh green colour palette, parquet flooring, both a king-sized bed and a sofa bed, which created a delightful suite-style lounge area. The bathroom featured a walk-in rain shower, granite surfaces and Acca Kappa bath amenities. Other features in the room include a HDTV, coffee and tea-making facilities, a personal fridge, safe, and clothes steamer. 

We stopped by for a couple of drinks at the hotel’s Heritage Bar, where we enjoyed expertly crafted cocktails in elegant, characterful surroundings; a terrific Negroni (our go-to aperitif), and we even got a sneak peek at one of the Marcus’s special Christmas creations, the Terry’s Martini, with hints of the ubiquitous chocolate orange stocking filler! 

We then had a delicious meal at Nemesis Asian Fusion, an excitingly original restaurant concept within The Marcus; exotic flavours & vibrant cuisine in a menu which pairs South-East Asian dishes with the best local produce.

The next morning, breakfast was the perfect way to set us up for the day. From a full Irish breakfast or three egg omelette, to fluffy pancakes or smashed avocado, the menu was designed to get us ready to enjoy exploring everything the North Coast has to offer. 

Throughout the entire venue, you’ll come across a multitude of quirky references to “Marcus”, the character whose curiosity, sense of adventure, & deep connection to the sea, flow through both his story & this amazing hotel: he’s the playful soul of Portrush brought to life! 


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