IMAGE On Tour: Where to eat in Connemara

There are few views to compare to the sweeping vista that opens out in front of you when you turn off the Connemara Loop road and follow the rough track that leads to The Misunderstood Heron.

The food truck, located in a semi-permanent 20ft shipping container, is perched in what must be one of the most scenically stunning spots in Ireland. With views of Killary Fjord stretching out below and the soft purple-green-yellow wash of the imposing Maumturk and Twelve Bens mountain ranges beyond, it’s a Paul Henry painting come to life.

“When we started out in 2017, we were operating out of a small horse box, in the same location,” explains Kim Young, a Connemara native who founded the food truck with her Chilean husband Reinaldo Seco. “Neither of us had any official food training but we both loved to cook and saw a gap in the local market, at the time, for somewhere serving really good coffee and simple, tasty food.”

Keen to be self-employed, the couple took the leap and have never looked back. Thanks to their dedication to working only with the best local ingredients to deliver flavour-rich, unfussy food, their reputation quickly grew to “best in Ireland” status. Support from BIM followed and four years ago they moved into their bespoke semi-permanent shipping container with full kitchen facilities.

Local ingredients with international flavours

The couple are keen travellers. They met eleven years ago when Reinaldo was travelling around Ireland; he arrived in Connemara and fell in love with both the place and Kim. “We love vibrant food and draw flavour influences from all around the globe,” continues Kim.

“Reinaldo is from Southern Chile and his passion for grilled umami flavours comes through on the menu. Our aim is to use locally sourced ingredients as much as possible and prepare them in a non-typical way.”

One of the truck’s most popular dishes is a steaming bowl of Killary Fjord mussels, pictured above, (that you can see growing on rope in the water below) served in a smokey “Chilota” sauce with sourdough; I can personally vouch for their decadent deliciousness!

Seasonal inspiration

Other highlights include divine homemade savoury pasties (pulled pork and cabbage, or creamed corn and harissa) and main dishes such as wild garlic, chicken and white bean stew with herb dumplings – not to mention an array of homemade sweet treats.

“We change our menu every two weeks which allows us to be creative and use seasonal products as they become available,” says Kim.

Why Connemara? “We’ve travelled around the world but never found anywhere better. We both love the outdoors and spend our free time either by the sea or in the hills. The work-life balance that we have out here is second to none and as far as a location to raise our family; I don’t think there is anywhere better in the world.”

The Misunderstood Heron is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm, from March to October. To learn more or view their current menu, visit misunderstoodheron.com.

5 more great places to eat, from local expert Cliodhna Prendergast

1. Roundstone House Hotel is a family-run hotel and bar featuring a superb dining room menu with the freshest of local produce.

2. Little Fish have moved from their food truck in Moyard to a bricks-and-mortar summer residence in Cleggan serving all things delicious and fishy.

3. Phoebe’s is a food truck in Inagh Valley, visit at weekends and bank holidays for the most exquisite crispy waffles and other glorious pastries.

4. Guys Bar serves cut-above pub grub in the heart of Clifden.

5. Ballynahinch Castle features award-winning chef Danni Barry’s fine dining menu enjoyed in a beautiful dining room overlooking the river in the Owenmore Restaurant. 

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Photography by Cliodhna Prendergast.