The Oarsman, Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim

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  • Galway Hooker, served in The Oarsman

There is nothing – nothing! – nicer in this world than a glass of Galway Hooker ale in a nice bar like Carrick-on-Shannon's The Oarsman, late on a warm summer afternoon. You've driven to the busy town, rambled around, and then that nice, talkative barman places the glass of Hooker in front of you. You take a sip, and time stops: aaah! And then the barman brings the best bowl of chowder you have had in yonks, along with the best prawn sandwich, the best chicken strips with fries, and the best chicken salad with ginger and soy, and everyone is placated into delighted silence. “Like another one?” the barman knowingly asks, and it takes superhuman will to reply, “I'd love to, but I think we had better make it a coffee”. The Java Republic coffee is perfect. Like everything.