One of my favorite places in Cushendall is Harry’s on Mill Street, right across the street from Johnny Joe’s pub. The first time I went there, I had driven up from Athlone with Liz Weir and we were starving. We didn’t stop at the barn first; we went directly to dinner and I had a delicious steak au poivre with crispy onion rings and champ – mashed potatoes with scallions. It was heaven. So, naturally, that is what I always order when I’m lucky enough to be there. 
As luck would have it, I was there on Sunday night. Mark and I were invited to dinner by Liz and Clare Weir, Ciara McKillop and Feargal Lynn. Harry’s new owner is one of Feargal’s best friends and he has completely redecorated it. It’s really beautiful inside with dark wood and shades of silver and lavender. And my favorite steak is still on the menu. Mark ordered it too, and he also had this starter of duck spring rolls. Given the splendid company, all was truly well with the world.
Clare told us more about the gorgeous new puppy, Gino, and how as a working dog he is distinct from Bodo, who is a show dog. We learned all about Feargal and Ciara’s new venture running a care home. Liz told us about telling to students at a detention facility and a girl there who knew what keeners were, even when her teachers did not. (Keeners are professional mourners, hired to stimulate the expression of grief at a funeral.)
Afterwards we went across the street to Joe’s for a pint, and then Mark and I traveled the five miles up the road to Beachview Cottage in Cushendun.
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