Dublin Bay Prawns in Dunmore East: The Real Story
Dublin Bay prawns sound posh. The name conjures images of something exclusive to the capital. The truth is simpler and better: they're langoustines, caught all along Ireland's coast including off Waterford. The Spinnaker Bar in Dunmore East serves them when the day-boats land them. Peter cooks them fresh, plain or in the seafood chowder. No mythology, just what came in that morning.
What Dublin Bay Prawns Actually Are
Dublin Bay prawns are Nephrops norvegicus. Langoustines. Norway lobsters. Scampi if they're breaded. The name came from the 18th century when Dublin's fish markets sold them in volume, so English buyers called them Dublin Bay prawns. They're not prawns at all — they're small lobsters with long narrow claws. Orange-pink shells, sweet white meat in the tail and claws.
They live in burrows on muddy seabeds around Ireland, including the Celtic Sea off Waterford. Trawlers target them with creels or nets. The catch goes to processors, restaurants, and working harbour pubs like The Spinnaker Bar in Lower Village, Dunmore East. When the day-boats land them at the harbour, Peter buys them for the kitchen. Some days prawns, some days crab, some days monkfish. Depends what the boats bring in.
Where Dunmore East Gets Its Langoustines
Dunmore East sits at the mouth of Waterford Harbour where the River Suir meets the Celtic Sea. Working fishing village. Day-boats go out for whitefish, shellfish, flatfish. Langoustines come from the muddy grounds south and east of the harbour. Trawlers work the Nymphs Bank, the grounds off Hook Head, sometimes further out toward the Saltees.
The boats land their catch at the harbour. You can watch them unload. The Spinnaker Bar sits right on the harbour, so Peter walks down and buys direct when the boats come in. That's how a working harbour pub works. No middleman, no warehouse, no frozen stock from last season. What came off the boat that morning goes into the pot that afternoon. Ring Peter on (051) 383 133 if you want to know what's landed this week.
How Peter Cooks Them at The Spinnaker
Peter runs the kitchen and the bar himself at The Spinnaker Bar. When langoustines come in, he keeps it simple. Boiled in seawater or court-bouillon, served cold with mayo and brown bread. Or he splits them and grills them with garlic butter. Sometimes they go into the seafood chowder at €13.50 — prawns, mussels, white fish, cream, herbs, brown bread on the side.
The prawn cocktail at €12 uses smaller prawns, not langoustines, because the tails are the right size for the Marie Rose sauce and lettuce. The mussels at €14 come with chorizo, sherry, cream and garlic bread. All of it depends on what the boats landed. Peter posts this week's specials on Facebook. If you want langoustines specifically, ring him and ask what's available.
Why the Name Stuck Despite Geography
Dublin Bay prawns never came exclusively from Dublin Bay. They came from everywhere around Ireland. The name stuck because Dublin was the commercial hub. English and Continental buyers knew the product as Dublin Bay prawns, so that's what they stayed. Marketing inertia from 250 years ago.
Today, langoustines land at every fishing port in Ireland. Dunmore East, Kilmore Quay, Castletownbere, Howth, Killybegs. The label on restaurant menus usually says Dublin Bay prawns because diners recognise the name. At The Spinnaker Bar, Peter calls them langoustines or Dublin Bay prawns depending on who's asking. The important part is they're fresh, local, and cooked the day they land. Email Peter at spinnakerbardunmore@gmail.com if you're booking a table and want to confirm what's on this week.
Booking a Table for Fresh Seafood
The Spinnaker Bar is walk-in welcome most days. Friday and Sunday evenings get busy, so ring Peter on (051) 383 133 if you're coming then. Groups of six or more need to book. Peter posts this week's hours and specials on Facebook — live music on the deck at weekends, Premier League and GAA matches on the big screen, Sunday roast on the day.
Lower Village, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. Right on the harbour. Cold pints, fresh seafood off the day-boats, working pub atmosphere. No mythology, just what came in that morning. Message Peter on Facebook or ring him if you want to know what the boats landed this week.
Book a table — go straight to Peter
Peter is the new owner of The Spinnaker Bar in Dunmore East. He runs the kitchen and the bar himself, so booking goes direct to him — no app, no fee, no middleman.
Or message Peter on the Spinnaker Facebook page — he checks it daily.
Quick questions
Are Dublin Bay prawns actually from Dublin Bay?
No. Dublin Bay prawns are langoustines caught all around Ireland's coast. The name came from 18th-century fish markets in Dublin where they were sold in volume. They're caught off Waterford, Cork, Wexford, Donegal — anywhere with muddy seabeds. The Spinnaker Bar in Dunmore East serves them when the local day-boats land them. Ring Peter on (051) 383 133 to ask what's available this week.
What's the difference between Dublin Bay prawns and langoustines?
None. Same animal, two names. Langoustine is the French name, Dublin Bay prawn is the Irish-English name. They're Nephrops norvegicus — small lobsters with long claws and sweet tail meat. Scampi is the Italian name, usually used when they're breaded and fried. Peter at The Spinnaker cooks them fresh when the boats land them in Dunmore East.
Does The Spinnaker Bar serve Dublin Bay prawns year-round?
Peter serves whatever the day-boats land at Dunmore East harbour. Some weeks that's langoustines, some weeks crab, some weeks monkfish or turbot. The seafood chowder and prawn cocktail are usually available, but specific items depend on the catch. Peter posts this week's specials on Facebook. Ring him on (051) 383 133 or email spinnakerbardunmore@gmail.com to ask what's available when you're visiting.
Where is The Spinnaker Bar in Dunmore East?
Lower Village, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. Right on the harbour. About 12 km south-east of Waterford City. Working fishing village at the mouth of Waterford Harbour where the River Suir meets the Celtic Sea. The Spinnaker sits on the waterfront — you can watch the boats unload. Walk-in welcome most days. Ring Peter on (051) 383 133 for Friday and Sunday evenings or groups of six or more.