Ireland Rugby legend Keith Wood opens Upstairs at Wood & Bell, a new Fine Dining Restaurant

A new restaurant by the celebrated former Ireland rugby player Keith Wood is now open in Killaloe, Co Clare, called Upstairs at Wood & Bell. Keith, who is from Killaloe and has a long-held enthusiasm for good food, co-owns the new restaurant with his business partner Malcolm Bell.

Talking about the opening, Keith said, “I have wanted to open a restaurant in my native Killaloe for as long as I can remember. Having travelled the world with rugby and eaten in some incredible restaurants, I relished the thought of one day having the opportunity to put a twist on some of their famous dishes."

"Upstairs at Wood & Bell stems from a conversation over dinner in Chicago with Malcolm Bell, on the eve of the magnificent Ireland win over the All Blacks. Twelve months later we are ready to make that dream into a reality,” he said with a smile.

Keith Wood, Chef Paddy Collins & Malcolm Bell

Keith has installed a confident restaurant team led by executive chef Paddy Collins and sous chef Noel Heaney. Paddy has created a succinct and assured menu offering classic, French-influenced Modern Irish dishes, featuring plenty of seasonal, locally grown and locally supplied ingredients.

All of the herbs and most of the fruit and vegetables are supplied from the restaurant’s own gardens year-round, an extensive and picturesque plot overlooking Lough Derg and managed by Keith’s wife, avid gardener Nicola Wood.

Starters include: Langoustine & Shellfish Bisque with Sourdough & Pancetta Crumb; Lamb Belly with Puy Lentils, Squash & Mint; Beech Smoked Salmon, Sexton Crab, Apple & Yuzu; Goat’s Curd, Charred Gem Lettuce, Figs & Truffle Honey; and Seared Chicken Livers, Shallot Tarte Tatin, Crispy Skin & Port.

Main course dishes include: Skeaghanore Duck, Roast & Pickled Beets, Onion & Confit Leg; Trout, Rainbow Chard, Clams, Squid Ink & Kombu; Beef Fillet, Oxtail & Marrow, Turnip Texture & Chanterelles; Black Sole, Seared Scallops, Saffron Potatoes, Sprout Tops & Lemon; and Corn-Fed Chicken, Confit Leg, Smoked Thigh, Celeriac & Tomato Essence.

Dessert will include: Fried Brioche, Spiced Plums & Vanilla; Semolina Pudding, Morello Cherries & Biscuit; Gingerbread Parfait, Candied Ginger & Hazelnut Brittle; Flourless Chocolate, Honeycomb, Soil & Air; and a Cheese Board with Quince.

Executive chef Paddy Collins said, “Having worked and run kitchens for 16 years, it is every chef’s dream to find owners with the same drive, passion and vision as I have with Keith and Malcolm. It’s not often that a chef has the opportunity to run a kitchen with everything we could need growing in our own gardens and glasshouses overlooking Lough Derg. With my sous chef Noel and all the Wood & Bell team, we hope to help make this beautiful village of Killaloe the next great Irish food destination.”

The restaurant is a smartly presented room, decorated in classic tones and colours, with lots of period details and impressive furnishings, fitting in with its charming location in the beautiful, lakeside village of Killaloe in Co Clare. 

Keep up-to-date by following Wood & Bell Restaurant & Café on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram 



Upstairs at Wood & Bell is located on Main Street, Killaloe, Co Clare.
Opening hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 5.30-9.45pm. Advance booking is advised by calling 061 517 480, or email info@woodandbell.com.

Watch the Newgrange Winter Solstice 2017 Live Online for the 1st time!

Fáilte Ireland and the OPW have teamed up to give everyone an opportunity to watch the 2017 Winter Solstice effect within the passage tomb at Newgrange.

A unique live stream will be established from the visitor attraction on the mornings of Wednesday and Thursday, December 20-21 (from 8.30am both days).

Welcoming the initiative, Minister of State for Tourism and sport, Brendan Griffin TD said: “This is a fantastic way to share the unique magic of Newgrange with a much larger audience. It is also a great way to highlight the type of compelling history and heritage that Ireland offers as a destination.”

Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran added: “Newgrange nestled in the Boyne Valley is an important historical site in Irelands Ancient Heritage which attracted over 207,000 visitors in 2016.

"Our annual Winter Solstice Lottery received over 33,000 applications to witness this event with winners from as far as Austria, Italy, Switzerland and the United States of America, showing the continuing fascination the Solstice has the world over.”

The live stream will also be embedded and available to watch on the Ireland’s Ancient East website on a special page at www.irelandsancienteast.com/wintersolstice which will also provide context within the wider ancient Ireland and Boyne Valley story.

Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Ireland’s Ancient East, Jenny De Saulles, today explained the importance of Newgrange for the tourism brand: “The Newgrange site is one of the jewels in the crown of Ireland’s Ancient East and we are delighted to be teaming up with the OPW to share its story with as wide an audience as possible.

"The history, heritage and the ancient atmosphere of Newgrange conjure up everything special about Ireland’s history and unique past and we are really happy to bring these elements to a wider audience.”

Interested viewers who subscribe in advance to the Ireland Ancient East YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/irelandsancienteast will get alerts and be prompted to tune in at the appropriate times.

Zack