The Fiddle + Bow Hotel

The Fiddle + Bow Hotel

Review

Doolin’s a postcard-pretty fishing village on County Clare’s Atlantic edge, and Fiddle + Bow feels purpose-built for it. Bedrooms are modern and airy, with a clear no-expense-spared approach to finish and comfort. If you’d rather spread out, the property also offers a range of luxury cottages and stylish self-catering lodges, ideal for families, friends or longer stays. Thoughtful touches abound, even an on-site EV charger and staff are unfailingly warm, efficient and proud of their place. Breakfast is a highlight: generous, local and cooked with care, reflecting the owners’ commitment to provenance. Step outside and you’re minutes from music, cliffs and ferry slips, not forgetting the famous seaweed barrel baths. For a base that matches Doolin’s charm and energy, this is an easy, heartfelt recommendation.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

At Russell’s at the Fiddle + Bow, choice is the house style. Start with the award-winning Russell’s Seafood Bar, where fresh catch meets confident cooking: oysters, chowder, and simply grilled fish that lets the Atlantic do the talking. Prefer something a bit more relaxed? The tent delivers a relaxed, convivial vibe with a menu that still reads ambitious, smart small plates, hearty mains, and tasty vegetarian options that feel considered, not token. On the go, the Fish & Chip takeaway and coffee counter keep things crisp, hot, and seasoned. Throughout, provenance matters and the team’s warmth sets the tone: prompt, knowledgeable service without fuss. From lingering dinners to casual bites a wave from the ocean, Russell’s proves Doolin’s flavours are as lyrical as its music.