The Church Restaurant

The Church Restaurant, Skibbereen. www.thechurchresturant.ie

Imagine sitting down to a beautiful meal in a place where history, atmosphere, and flavor all come together—an unforgettable stop on your retreat. The Church Restaurant in Skibbereen, County Cork, offers exactly that kind of magic.

Once a Methodist church built in 1833, the building carries nearly two centuries of stories within its walls. It served as a place of worship for over 170 years before closing its doors in 2003. Two years later, it was lovingly transformed into a restaurant—only to be devastated by a fire in 2006, leaving little more than the four exterior walls standing.

But like so many places in Ireland that refuse to let their spirit fade, this one rose again. In 2008, brothers Leo and Niall Linehan began an extraordinary restoration, using salvaged materials and preserving as many original features as possible. Thanks to their dedication, today you can dine beneath soaring wooden ceilings, admire stained glass windows glowing with soft evening light, and sit among cast iron columns that whisper the past.

And then there’s the food. The Church Restaurant weaves its rich history with West Cork’s best locally sourced ingredients. Fresh seafood, seasonal Irish dishes, farm-to-table produce—it’s the kind of menu that makes you savor every bite.

It’s more than a meal. It’s an experience—one that blends heritage, craftsmanship, and culinary artistry. A place you’ll step into and instantly feel that sense of I can’t wait to be here.

A place where your retreat becomes even more unforgettable.