Welcome to The Fatted Calf
Feargal and Fiona O’Donnell in April 2010 took over Farrell’s Village Inn in the picturesque village of Glasson near Athlone and re-named the premises The Fatted Calf. Combining all of the ingredients of hard work and commitment to bring a casual, comfortable dining and social experience, welcoming atmosphere, wonderful surroundings and value for money, this has proved to be the recipe for success.
Feargal, who is the current Commissioner General for Euro-toques Ireland, uses the philosophy of quality food sourcing, with an emphasis on seasonal, local and artisan ingredients, to provide the best quality and the best value for money. We are a family run pub situated in the heart of Glasson Village, close to the lakes and only five miles from Athlone town. Situated in the centre of Ireland we are midway between Dublin and Galway. It is easy to reach us from any where in Ireland.
Up to February 2010, Feargal had been head chef at the well-known Wineport Lodge in Glasson, near Athlone, Co. Westmeath for 12 years and, during this time, he was also Executive Chef for the Splash Hotels group, which included Lisloughrey Lodge, Cong and Ice House hotel, Ballina in addition to Wineport Lodge. Feargal has been a member of Euro-toques Ireland since 1998 and a Commissioner for over 6 years. Trained at Cathal Brugha St, Feargal has extensive experience in London’s restaurant scene, including The Cumberland Hotel, Mayfair Hotel and Café Flo Group, as well as in Belfast (with Michael Deane) and in Dublin (Roly’s and La Stampa). Originally from Dublin, Feargal now lives in Glasson with his wife Fiona and his two young children, Molly and Jack. Feargal was appointed Commissioner-general of Euro-toques Ireland at the 2009 AGM in Renvyle House, Galway in February 2009, for a 2-year tenure.
Awarding the Fatted Calf “Newcomer of the Year 2011” Georgina Campbell said,
“What could be more appropriate than celebration of a promising new business? One of the surprising things about the last couple of years is the number of new openings there have been – yes, opportunities not previously affordable certainly exist now, but at a time of crisis in the hospitality industry it take a special kind of confidence to grasp them. And our Newcomer of the Year is exceptionally well placed to succeed: Feargal O’Donnell - a prominent Euro-Toques chef, who is already well known in the area - and his wife, Fiona, chose well when they took over a pub in the charming almost-waterside midlands ‘village of the roses’, near Athlone. Their informal style, with food that offers a timely combination of gastro-pub and contemporary fine dining in a family-friendly atmosphere, is bang on the nail – and we are confident that their new venture will be very successful.” (credit: www.ireland-guide.com).
Just Ask Award - November 2010
The Just Ask Award is a Bord Bia campaign, which aims to encourage consumers to seek information on the origin of their food when eating out. It is run in association with Georgina Campbell. The award aims to encourage chefs to provide this information for their customers on their menus. The fatted Calf was the Just Ask Award Restaurant of the Month winner for November 2010.