Overview
Quinlan & Cooke is a family-run boutique townhouse and seafood restaurant in the center of Cahersiveen, run by Kate Cooke and her team. The property has operated as a destination seafood restaurant for over 20 years and added the boutique rooms more recently, creating a combined accommodation and dining experience in one of the Iveragh Peninsula's most strategically located towns.
The seafood credentials are exceptional - the restaurant is supplied directly by Kate's family company, Quinlan's Kerry Fish at Renard's Point, which means fish and shellfish served at QC's come straight from the family's own boats and fishmongers across the street.
The restaurant is consistently ranked first of all restaurants in Cahersiveen and is a regular stop for visitors tackling the Ring of Kerry, the Skellig Ring, and Skellig Michael boat trips. Both the rooms and restaurant have earned strong Good Food Ireland recognition.
What You'll See
The townhouse offers 11 individually designed ensuite guest rooms ranging from cozy doubles to the luxurious Skelligs Suite. Fresh French pastries are delivered to your door in the morning. The Skelligs Suite includes a Pacman arcade machine in the living area.
Downstairs, QC's Seafood Restaurant sits in a warmly atmospheric space with an old stone wall, zinc-topped bar, enormous fireplace, and nautical antiques. The menu features sizzling Dingle Bay prawns, pan-seared baby squid, the family's world-renowned smoked salmon, crab bisque, prawn bisque, and fresh catch including hake, monkfish, and daily specials. Local meats from Miller's butcher include rack of Kerry lamb, South Kerry pork, and char-grilled fillet steak. Cookie's Shack, the outdoor extension, seats up to 30 in a sheltered garden courtyard.
Tips
Book dinner well in advance, particularly during summer and for weekend evenings - QC's is the most sought-after restaurant in Cahersiveen. Request a room at the front for town views, or the Skelligs Suite if you want something special for a celebration stay.
The location puts you a 3-minute walk from the O'Connell Memorial Church and less than 10 minutes from the Old Barracks Heritage Centre, making the townhouse an excellent base for exploring Cahersiveen on foot. For those using the property as a base for Skellig Michael landing trips from Portmagee, QC's is approximately 25 minutes by car from the harbor, and the Reenard Point ferry to Valentia Island is just a few kilometers away.
Official Site: https://qc.ie