The Wagon Wheel

Blackrock Cottage, The Prom, Salthill, Galway is one year old this week! Congrats to the super team behind this little gem of a restaurant.   We  are dropping out to join the team at Blackrock on Sunday as they celebrate their first year in business.  Tune in to Marc Roberts on The Feel Good Breakfast live from Blackrock Cottage on Sunday from 8 to 11am.  Call in and say hello!

BLACKROCK COTTAGE BIRTHDAY

Blackrock Cottage is celebrating one year in business!   Over the last 12 months the Cottage here at the end of Salthill Prom has become one of the most popular spots in Galway for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  On Sunday the team at Blackrock Cottage is inviting everyone in the area to pop in and say hello and help them celebrate their 1st birthday!   Breakfast will be served, lunch kicks off at 12.30pm and the dinner service starts at 6pm that evening.

The entire menu has been created by executive head chef, Martin O’Donnell, who won two prestigious awards in the last 12 months — ‘Best Newcomer in Ireland’ at the Restaurant Association of  Ireland awards and ‘Best Chef in Connacht’ at the Food and Wine Restaurant of the Year awards.    You can also grab a coffee from the container outside, or one of the delicious Alainn bowls, or some freshly-baked scones or pastries.  You can find out more about everything that’s on offer at blackrockcottage.ie

On Sunday  at Blackrock Cottage, there will be face-painting for the kids, some sweet treats, mimosas for the adults, spot prizes, and a few surprises as well lined up. So why not come down and join us, and sample some of the gorgeous food and coffees for yourself — it might be a bit early for a glass of wine!

CHRISTMAS MENU

Blackrock Cottage is getting ready for the Christmas rush at the moment and it’s no surprise to hear that the team here have been very busy taking bookings for Christmas Parties and get-togethers over the last few weeks.   Award-winning head chef Martin O’Donnell has put together a lovely seasonal Christmas set-menu, featuring lots of traditional festive dishes with a contemporary twist.

The mains include: Baked Turkey and Ham Wellington, an 8oz Ribeye Steak, Ali’s Catch of the Day and Hedgehog and Puy Lentils.  And the desserts feature dishes like Baked Apple and Mince Pie Crumble and Signature After Eight Chocolate Fondant.

The Blackrock Cottage team are taking bookings at the moment for groups, Christmas parties and anyone who’d like to treat themselves for the festive season.  So to make a booking just go to: blackrockcottage.ie or call 091 399280

EVENING MEALS

Blackrock Cottage has become very popular as an evening dining location over the last 12 months, and award-winning head chef, Martin O’Donnell, has out together a menu that’s become the talk of the city.

Dinner is served at Blackrock Cottage from Thursday to Sunday, from 6pm — with last orders just after 9pm — so it’s the perfect place to come and unwind after a long day, treat yourself to a gorgeous evening meal, and maybe have a glass of wine as well!   Some of the highlights on the Dinner Menu here at Blackrock Cottage are : starters like Blackrock Chowder or Prawn Pil Pil; mains like Roast Lamb, Ribeye Steak and Monkfish Masaman; and desserts like Salted Caramel and Miso Ice-Cream Sandwich or Blackrock Affogato (which has a shot of Baileys in it!).

All those amazing dinner dishes are prepared by award-winning chef, Martin O’Donnell.

BLACKROCK COTTAGE PANTRY

More exciting news from the Blackrock Cottage Team!   Blackrock Cottage Pantry is opening next week just up the road in Knocknacarra, on the site of the old Spinnaker House Hotel.  It’s a fine food store that will be highlighting all the amazing food suppliers that work with Blackrock Cottage at the moment.

The Pantry will have everything from freshly-baked bread, scones and pastries to Blackrock Cottage’s own-brand coffee, which is locally-roasted in the Burren, Co Clare.   The Pantry will also stock fresh fruit and organic vegetables, freshly-made sandwiches; and a selection of artisan products like cheeses, honey, salads, chutneys and sauces.   Matthew from Blackrock Cottage has also curated a lovely wine list ‘to go’ – so it’s going to be really handy to pop in for a bottle of wine on your way past — and, of course, there will be some nice snacks to go with your wine as well.

That’s the Blackrock Cottage Pantry, which is opening in Knocknacarra next week! And will be open daily from morning until evening!

 

CORPORATE NIGHTS

Blackrock Cottage h as also become very popular with local companies and businesses who want to entertain clients or celebrate a happy occasion, or maybe just have a night out in one of Galway’s  best restaurants!   The Dinner Service here in the evenings is renowned for the lovely, relaxed, cosy atmosphere; the quality of the food prepared by award-winning head chef, Martin O’Donnell, and of course, the iconic location and

unique setting of Blackrock Cottage itself.  So if you or your work colleagues or your company would like to experience something a little special here at Blackrock Cottage, and have some great food in a casual and intimate way, just go to blackrockcottage.ie to make a reservation or call Blackrock Cottage on 091 399280.

 

UPSTAIRS AT CONNOLLY’S — A SISTER RESTAURANT

Blackrock Cottage has also got a sister restaurant which has been winning rave reviews recently — ‘Upstairs at Connolly’s in Kinvara’.   It’s been described as ‘a hidden gem’ and certainly talented head chef, Jason O’Neill, has won plenty of admirers with his innovative menu.  It’s fresh, modern food in an iconic venue at Connolly’s in Kinvara; open from 9am from Wednesday to Sunday for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The evening meal, in particular, is a real dining experience, with everything from venison to steaks to monkfish and much more on the menu.   You can find out more about what’s on the menu, and book a table for dinner, by going to the website: upstairsatconnollys.ie

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift for somebody special, why not pop into Blackrock Cottage and pick up one of our Gift Vouchers.  Or you can also purchase a Gift Voucher by visiting our website — blackrockcottage.ie — and it will be e-mailed directly to you or to the lucky person who’s getting it.

The History of Blackrock Cottage:

The property is situated in the Pollnarooma West townland, which was identified – during the 1800s – (approx. 1836). The old cottage was known as ‘the Cottier’s House’ and later the description was changed to ‘Workman’s House,’ and John Moran took over the site and land in the 1940s.  John & Ellen Moran were the last to live in the cottage and their donkey was a major draw for prom strollers, who loved to pet the animal at the end-wall, which many now choose to kick.

It was at that same wall that a rental sign ‘Pants and towel 2d’ was previously placed, offering those who wanted to bathe – but had forgotten their swim gear – a chance to truly enjoy Blackrock’s attractions – a Salthill memory preserved by Galway’s great and late historian, Dónal Taheny.

The site lay derelict for c.25 years until it was acquired by McHugh Property Holdings in 2018.