Hi!
This is sort of a travel question but please indulge me. I am writing since I have heard that Coeliac is quite common in Ireland so I thought it might be a good place to visit. I really wanted to ask people who actually live in Ireland if restaurants are accomodating to people with Coeliac, if it is difficult to get gluten-free food etc. I really need to be careful since I am three months pregnant and it's very dangerous to get glutened when you are pregnant. I would really appreciate any help anyone can give!!

Thanks!!

I don't live in Ireland, but we're going for a visit later this week. Our trip was planned before my dd (and myself) went gluten-free, so I was worried. I've e-mailed every hotel that we're staying at to tell them of my dd's dietary requirements, and so far, have received overwhelmingly positive responses. They've all assured me that their chefs can accomodate her, or (lacking a restaurant) that they can direct us to gluten-free-friendly restaurants. I was told by one manager of a health food store nearby where I can stock up on gluten-free snacks, which will be nice (won't have to pack so much.) I'm much less worried about the trip now - even looking forward to it. I'll be happy to post when we return and tell you about our experience, if that would be helpful!

Rho

That would be great actually thank you!! Where are you going in Ireland?

Hi angel42,
.
Sending this to you all the way from Dublin, Ireland.
Most if not all of the hotels in Ireland are familiar with Coeliac Disease, and there are a lot
of restaurants that cater for Coeliacs with gluten-free Menu's.
.
Below is a link to The Irish Coeliac Society's Eating out Forum.
.
Hope you enjoy your trip and stay in Ireland.
.
Eating out Forum
.
Alternatively, you could contact the Society directly and ask for any reccomendations
for eating out where your travelling to in Ireland.
.
E-mail the Irish Coeliac Society
.
Why not have a look around the whole website.
.
Irish Coeliac Society Website

We're back from Ireland. It was a GREAT trip! We were in the west and south of Ireland (ranging north to Galway and south to Kinsale.) At several restaurants/hotels they had gluten-free bread available - in fact, on our first morning there, my daughter saw a "Gluten Free Bread Available" notation on the bottom of the menu and broke out in a huge smile! At one hotel (in Kinsale) they did not have gluten-free bread available to offer at breakfast, so I simply walked down the street to the supermarket, bought a loaf, and gave it to them; they were very accomodating, and the next morning my dd had gluten-free french toast for breakfast. At a couple of restaurants, there was actually a notation by all the menu items that were safe for celiacs; when we weren't sure, we asked, and no one ever looked at us oddly. They all seemed to understand *exactly* what I meant and obligingly checked to see which items were safe if they weren't sure themselves. Also, if there was nothing on the menu that looked "safe" that appealed to my daughter, we asked if the chef could prepare something else on the menu in a gluten-free way, and each time he/she did so. We actually met an American fellow with celiac disease who visits Ireland a time or two every year - his family has a home there - and he said that he handles his visits by bringing his own gluten-free bread and bagels. From what I saw, gluten-free products were pretty readily available in Ireland....but he travels to a more remote town on the Ring of Kerry, so I could understand it. Still, we found gluten-free food in some remote places - many of the veggie soups and the seafood chowders in the pubs were gluten-free (not the soda bread, though - wah!) I had *wonderful* pate, smoked fish, salmon, beef and lamb in more remote places. In summary - it was a great trip, and a real revelation - Ireland (and more of Europe, I hope) is so much more aware of celiac disease and the need for gluten free food. I hope it's like that HERE (U.S.) someday. In the meantime, I highly recommend a trip to Ireland!

Rho

That's great! I'm going to start planning the trip now. Daveyboy, my husband and I were thinking of going to Dublin for a long weekend. I will check out the Irish Celiac forum but can you recommend any restaurants you like in Dublin?

Hi Angel42,
I very seldom eat out, I prefer to do my own cooking.
.
On the few occasions that I have eaten out it has been at Roly's Bistro in Ballsbridge
in Dublin 4 (postal area). they will always have gluten-free items on the menu and gluten-free bread
made on the premises.
.
If you are going to dine out it is prudent to phone ahead and let them know your
dietry requirements, either talk to the manager or preferably the chef.
.
When are you coming to Ireland (Dublin) ?
.
Enjoy your stay, the food, the people, have a few drinks enjoy the night life.
Best Regards
David.

Daveyboy -

Just a quick thanks for posting about the Irish Coeliac site. I looked at that before we travelled to Ireland, and had the lists of grocery stores and gluten free food brands in my bag the whole time we were there. I love Ireland! It was my second visit, and if at all possible, it won't be my last. I haven't yet been to Dublin (we fly into Shannon because my husband has family in the Southwest) so I have a good reason to return!

Rho