The Purple Onion

The Purple Onion Review

A perfect resting place for hungry travelers on the road to the west of Longford town, this restaurant is on the main street of a tiny Shannon-side village and has won many plaudits for the quality and flavor profile of its food. Originally a standard public house with low ceilings, nooks, crannies, and snugs, it has been transformed under the patronage of Pauline Roe and Paul Dempsey into a gourmet's delight—a special "gastro pub," now abustle with locals, cruise-boat tourists, and food lovers from all over. Specialties include Thornhill duck, tender Roscommon lamb, and a Cavan roast on red braised cabbage with Chardonnay vinegar and honey glaze. Potatoes and vegetables are abundant and even served al dente. It's worth leaving space for the Toblerone cheesecake, which has become the sweet talk of Longford. An upstairs gallery has work by some of the finest and best-known Irish artists, including Jack B. Yeats and Paul Henry, among a hundred others. To get here from Longford Town drive 10 km (6 miles) west on the N5.