One of the best parts about travel is finding those unexpected 5-Star gems that appear seemingly magically. My mom and I eagerly look forward to and cherish these discoveries. Yes, I travel regularly with my mom. She’s 91-years-old, feisty, and adventurous. She lives by the adage that age is just a number. Most people who meet her would agree. On our travels, upon hearing mom’s age, people react with disbelief and gush that mom is their new inspiration.

Finding special people and places that bring a smile and joy to mom is something I hope for. Our visit to Kitty Kelly’s in Donegal, Ireland became one such memory. Kitty Kelly’s is owned by Remy and Donna Dupuy. Award-winning chef Remy Dupuy is originally from France and has been sharing his culinary magic in Ireland for over 20 years. His wife, Donna, runs the restaurant to perfection.

While planning our trip, I’d seen mention of Kitty Kelly’s as a restaurant worth visiting, but I didn’t know much beyond that. I did note that it wasn’t far from Slieve League, one of our reasons for visiting Donegal. Slieve League isn’t as well known as the Cliffs of Moher (where most tourists go). However, these cliffs are every bit as impressive and nearly three times higher. In fact, they are among the highest sea cliffs in Europe.

Kitty Kelly’s is in a charming 200-year-old farmhouse, painted a vivid pinkish-red. As you walk through the door, the place exudes a warm and friendly vibe. We sat in the bar, perusing the menu as our table was prepared. Luckily for us, Donna had a free moment and sat down for a bit of a chat with mom. They instantly bonded like old friends reuniting. Afterward we took our seats, eagerly awaiting what we knew would be a delicious dinner.

There’s an intimate feel to Kitty Kelly’s. The farmhouse is made up of multiple cozy rooms—each one beautifully decorated. A few of the rooms have pink accents, which tie into the color scheme of the exterior. Since stairs are difficult for mom, we were kindly seated in a delightful room on the ground level.

Our meal began with freshly baked bread. Mom and I chose wheaten scones. Wheaten bread (also known as brown bread) is the traditional bread served in Ireland. Chef Remy’s version is a scone with just a hint of sweetness. I couldn’t help but ask for seconds; they were so delicious.

After tasting the scones, I knew we were in for a treat. I’d already planned on ordering seafood. Donegal is along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, and the seafood is some of the best in Ireland. Mom and I spent our time here indulging in a cornucopia of seafood delights.

For tonight, I chose the langoustine and scallops. The plating was exquisite—almost too beautiful to eat. The seafood was prepared with that perfect balance of a lightly browned exterior and a tender, moist interior. Mom, who stole a bite from my plate when I left the table for a moment, agreed. I’ll give her a pass on that one. One must share food this good.

Mom enjoyed the stone bass, which was also cooked to perfection. Now I know why Chef Remy is known for his seafood dishes. During our trip, mom also became obsessed with the fresh, tasty Irish tomatoes, and she was pleased to see them highlighted in her entrée.

Most people look forward to ending their meal with sweet treat, especially when the chef is French. Unfortunately, neither mom nor I have much of a sweet tooth, so we passed on dessert. Though part of me wanted to order it just to take photos. Next time I need to bring dessert-loving friends.

After dinner, we had a chance to chat with both Chef Remy and Donna. Mom’s intention to get back to our B&B for an early bedtime turned into an enthusiastic, long conversation; mom simply adores making new friends. And who wouldn’t be charmed by a feisty 91-year-old who is witty, funny, and not shy about speaking her mind! I was grateful for a delicious night to remember for mom.

5StarTips🌟:

🌟 Be sure to check the restaurant hours.

Summer Hours:

Monday – Sunday, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday Lunch, 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Non-summer:

Wednesday – Sunday, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

🌟 Coordinate your meal with a visit to Slieve League. Kitty Kelly’s is on the way to/from Slieve League. Come and have dinner after viewing or hiking the cliffs.

🌟 Try the seafood. Chef Remy is known for his exquisitely prepared seafood.

🌟 Eat your veggies. All the produce is locally sourced.

🌟 Remember your camera – both for the artfully plated food and Slieve League.

Final Thoughts:

Memorable meals are part of what makes travel special. It’s not just the food but also the friendly and charming people that make for an unforgettable experience. We were lucky to find both at Kitty Kelly’s. It was that perfect combination of delicious food, lovely people, and nearly 2,000-foot-high cliffs!

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