Much-loved Bantry seafood restaurant The Fish Kitchen is to close in April, after 18 years, with proprietors Diarmaid and Anne Marie Murphy saying it was “time for a change”.
The Fish Kitchen, which is located on New Street in the town, has been run by the husband and wife team for close on two decades, earning a reputation nationally as a seafood destination.
Mr Murphy said stepping away from The Fish Kitchen is bittersweet and paid tribute to the restaurant’s staff and customers. “The outreach since we announced it has been phenomenal but we just think it’s time for a change,” said Mr Murphy. “The business is actually doing very well and we thought that’s the right time to do it. Working in a business like this for 18 years takes its toll but a change will be as good as a rest.”
Anne Marie’s uncle owns the building from which The Fish Kitchen has operated, and the Keohane family are renowned across Ireland in the seafood business. The Fish Kitchen will close for the final time on Saturday, April 11. “Until then it’s business as usual,” said Mr Murphy.
Mr Murphy, who is a former chair of Bantry Business Association, stressed that the outlook for the town remains very positive, and said a new business is already interested in taking over the building for a new venture, though it is not clear at this stage if that will be in the food business or elsewhere.
“A closed door in town is not a good thing, so hopefully they will step in, and it’s certainly not all doom and gloom. The town has lost some businesses but we have have seen others opening up in the town in recent years and the future is looking bright for Bantry.”
senior food writer Joe McNamee said: “I’ll be sorry to see the Fish Kitchen go, as the seafood hospitality along the Wild Atlantic Way continues to grow in leaps in bounds, The Fish Kitchen was an especially good example, excellent fish and chips for the chipper crowd but easily able to step it up to a more elevated level, all based on superbly sourced fish, shellfish, lobster, crab, and prawns.”
Mr Murphy will remain a presence in the town’s business landscape as he has developed and upgraded the 19th century Merino Church as a venue and exhibition space in the town, while it has also hosted its first wedding as a venue since building and renovation works were completed. In summer 2025, a food stall Nautilus operated on the grounds of the church and the seasonal offering will return in 2026.
