Autumn Comfort Food in Dunmore East

October through November, when the wind picks up off the harbour and the evenings get dark early, Dunmore East wants one thing: proper comfort food. The Spinnaker Bar in the Lower Village serves lamb shank, seafood pie, 8oz striploin steak, and Sunday roast on the day — all cooked by Peter, the new owner who runs the kitchen himself. Ring Peter on (051) 383 133 to book Friday or Sunday evenings, or any group of six or more.

Lamb Shank — The Autumn Anchor

The lamb shank at The Spinnaker Bar is slow-cooked until the meat falls off the bone. Peter serves it with mash and vegetables, gravy pooling round the plate. It's €27 and it's the kind of dish you eat after a cliff walk when the rain's coming in sideways. The shank sits heavy in a good way — you're full for hours. Walk-ins welcome most days, but if you're coming Friday or Sunday evening, or bringing six or more, ring Peter on (051) 383 133 so he can hold a table. The bar's right on the harbour, so you can watch the trawlers tie up while you eat.

Seafood Pie and Fresh Fish Off the Day-Boats

Dunmore East is a working fishing village. The day-boats land in the harbour below The Spinnaker Bar, and Peter cooks what they bring in. The seafood pie is €23 — prawns, white fish, scallops in cream sauce under puff pastry, served with vegetables. The beer-battered fish is €22.50, chips on the side, fresh cod or haddock depending on the catch. October and November are good months for mussels: Peter does them four ways (chorizo, sherry, cream, or garlic bread) for €14. If you want to know what's landed this week, message Peter on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Spinnaker-Bar-61579148378692/ or email spinnakerbardunmore@gmail.com.

Sunday Roast on the Day

Peter does Sunday roast — beef, lamb, or pork, whichever's best that week. It comes with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, vegetables, and gravy. It's on the day, so you can't book it in advance, but if you're in Dunmore East on a Sunday afternoon, walk into The Spinnaker Bar in the Lower Village and ask Peter what he's roasting. The pub fills up after midday, locals and visitors together, every Premier League match on the big screen. If you're bringing a group, ring (051) 383 133 ahead so Peter knows you're coming. The Sunday roast is the kind of meal that justifies a drive from Waterford City or Cork.

8oz Striploin Steak and Beef Burger

The 8oz striploin at The Spinnaker Bar is €37, cooked how you ask, served with chips or mash and pepper sauce on the side. It's dry-aged Irish beef. If you want something lighter but still solid, the beef burger is €20 — char-grilled, brioche bun, chips. Both anchor the autumn menu when you want protein and heat after a cold day on the water or walking the Doneraile cliffs. Peter runs the kitchen himself, so the steak comes out right. Walk-ins welcome most days. For Friday or Sunday evenings, or groups of six or more, ring Peter on (051) 383 133.

Cold Pints and Live Music on the Deck

Autumn comfort food isn't just the plate — it's the cold pint next to it and the fire going in the corner. The Spinnaker Bar pulls Guinness, lager, craft. At weekends Peter books live music on the deck (Ash & Laura sometimes — check the Facebook page for who's on this week). The bar's a working harbour pub: fishermen, sailors, locals, tourists. No pretence. If you want to know this week's hours or food times, Peter posts them live on Facebook. For bookings, ring (051) 383 133 or email spinnakerbardunmore@gmail.com. The Spinnaker Bar is in the Lower Village, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford — right on the harbour.