In Tir na nOg today for lunch with my wife, one of her friends and our 5-month-old. It was the first sunny day in a while so St. Anne's park was full, not packed, just full. We live near-by and have been meaning to try Tir na nOg out for some time. On arriving we pushed through the queue of ice-cream buyers that blocks the door and made our way to the lift (a tip: you have to hold the button on the lift for it to keep moving, it's designed that way). When we go to the restaurant we saw a table immediately and space for the buggy so no issues there. The table had the remains of the previous guests but that happens. We stayed about 2 hours and during that time saw tables come and go around us. The kitchen being downstairs causes logistical problems for the servers in that meals have to be carried up and empties brought down. Nothing earth-shattering you might have thought. Unfortunately nobody told the staff this, first we waited, then 20 minutes later when a pair of coffees were accidentally brought to our table, they noticed us. With empty plates on our table they came and went carrying tiny amounts of food up the stairs and returning with tiny numbers of empty plates in big basins that really only seem to get in the way. They also used little judgement when deciding which tables to empty/clean. The idea that a customer is staring at an empty plate should always usurp an empty (and unneeded) table with a few plates on it. Better yet, ditch the basin, pile them high and get rid of them all! I went to pay eventually. I would have waited a while had I known that I was going to interrupt a staff-member’s snack. Despite being in clear view I was left waiting at the till until the manager was finished talking to her. This fabulous location is unfortunately let down by a completely untrained staff who don’t know how to make it what it could be and a manager who tries to pick up the pieces but has way too much covering to do.

i think the thing i like best about this place is the grounds it's set in - just gorgeous - i suppose my friend and i were lucky that the sun was shining that day too! we didn't get anything too exciting - just sandwiches - i got tuna sweetcorn and tomato and she got the chicken breast - i appreciate a good sandwich and they were GOOD sandwiches - very satisfying and would certainly get again the next time i'm out in swords!