Saturday, October 11, 2025

Beef and Guinness Pie and Traditional Cottage Pie at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre

After a morning immersed in 5,000 years of history, visiting both Knowth mound and Newgrange, my appetite was ready for some hearty Irish comfort food. We had lunch at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, which is managed by Brambles Café, and decided on two of the classics.

First up was the Beef and Guinness Pie. It arrived warm and fragrant, and I was immediately struck by how rich it was—much more so than I expected! The gravy itself was dark and savory with the distinct, malty-bitter notes of Guinness, which added a wonderful complexity to the tender beef. It was a hearty, warming dish that's perfect on a cold Irish day.


Beef & Guinness Pie inside the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre

A peek inside the Beef & Guinness Pie inside the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre

We also sampled a Traditional Cottage Pie. This dish was the ultimate classic comfort food. It had a savory filling of minced beef and vegetables in a thick, rich gravy, all topped with a generous layer of creamy mashed potato. The crust was beautifully golden and provided the perfect, satisfying counterpoint to the soft, warm interior.


Traditional Cottage Pie inside the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre
Boyne Valley Beef with Mashed Potato top

A spoonful of Traditional Cottage Pie inside the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre

Both pies were a great way to refuel and get a true taste of traditional Irish cooking. A simple, delicious meal!

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