A History of Savoury Fare…
Nestled in the heart Ireland, Savoury Fare has been delighting customers with delicious, home-style cuisine for over 30 years. What began as a cosy café with just five passionate staff members and 34 seats has blossomed into a vibrant dining destination that now accommodates over 200 guests and boasts a dedicated team of more than 30.
Following a major renovations over the decades, Savoury Fare combines warm hospitality with a spacious, contemporary setting — the perfect place to gather for breakfast, lunch, or a leisurely coffee surrounded by the beauty of nature.
As we celebrate our 30th year in business, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the major milestones, memories and friends that got us to where we are today…
How Our Story Began
Des Hennelly and Rory Currid met in catering college in Killybegs in Donegal in the mid-eighties while training to be chefs.
Both honed their craft and learned their trade when they went on separate journeys to work in hotel kitchens and restaurants around the world – Martha’s Vineyard, Long Island, New York, Channel Islands, Germany and France to name but a few!
The two men both came back to Ireland with a wealth of experience and decided to study Hotel & Catering Management in Galway in 1990. This time the focus was to learn about business management and the economics of business.
After graduation, Des went to Athlone to work as the catering manager for Ericsson while Rory went to set up a brand new 200 seater restaurant at Foxford Woollen Mills in Co. Mayo.
Both worked hard in their respective roles and learned about food and the restaurant trade. However, these two passionate foodies always wanted to open their own restaurant.
Savoury Fare is born!
In 1995, Des and Rory spotted a gap in the market in the bustling Midlands town of Athlone. They joined forces to open their first restaurant together in the heart of the town. The location was Sean Costello Street, a stones throw from our current restaurant on John Broderick Street.
The premises that was purchased was a former bike shop, named M. White Cycles, wedged between Midland Camera Shop and an alterations store.
Irishtown has changed a lot over the years, back then there was no Golden Island so John Broderick Street, our current location in central Athlone, did not yet exist.
In Irishtown, Athlone’s first-ever Delicatessen specialising in home-cooked foods officially opened on Saturday, June 3rd 1995. That was despite our first signage claiming we would open at 11.30am on Friday 2nd June!
