The Olde Glen Bar is celebrating being added to the 2023 Michelin Guide for Great Britain & Ireland.

Michelin inspectors have revealed that the rural Donegal pub was one of their favourite restaurants in February and will be added to their prestigious red book.

The wave of success continues for The Olde Glen Bar and Chef Ciarán Sweeney, who has been putting his own twist on great Donegal produce since he entered the kitchen in 2021. The Downings man was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand while at the helm of Forest & Marcy in Dublin in 2018.

Chef Ciaran Sweeney from Downings

The Lemon Tree in Letterkenny is the only other Donegal restaurant included in the Michelin Guide.

Michelin inspectors judge a restaurant on five criteria: quality of the ingredients used, mastery of flavour and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in their cuisine, value for money and consistency between visits.

Of the Olde Glen Bar, they said: “This remote inn dates from the 1760s, and its somewhat modest façade gives little indication as to the charm and character that lies within. The bar is always filled with locals, and the large dining room plays host to a set menu which boasts plenty of fish and shellfish from nearby shores, including local oysters and house-smoked salmon; while the fermented potato bread gets things off to a great start. There are cosy bedrooms available too.”

The 2023 edition of the MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland will be launched on 27th March, when all the new Michelin Stars, Bib Gourmands and Green Stars will be unveiled.

The Olde Glen Bar team celebrates its addition to the Michelin guide