Letterkenny restaurant No. 9 Market Square, now open eight months, continues to boast a taste of Donegal throughout.
A striking new sign above the entrance, translating to “Good food and good wine make the best company,” warmly welcomes visitors in Irish.
For Chef Brian McMonagle, incorporating Irish elements into his restaurant was a matter of personal pride – and a little bit of guilt.
Despite many of his staff and suppliers having the language, the Rareagh man admits to having little Irish.
That is why, in his new location in the heart of Letterkenny, a Gaeltacht service town, he felt a strong desire to celebrate his heritage.
A little help from his neighbours at the Líonra Leitir Ceanainn offices has brought Chef McMonagle a long way, helping him to create the eye-catching external sign, adding Irish to the menu, receipts and vouchers.
Those efforts led Brian and his team to pick up three Gradaim gnó from Glór na nGael in Croke Park last month. He also won a highly commended award from the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce for their ongoing dedication to the Irish language in business.
“Irish contributes to the whole ethos of No. 9, it’s Donegal through and through,” said Brian.
Chef Brian McMonagle – No. 9 Market Square
Shortly after he opened his doors in March, Bairbre Uí Chathail from the Líonra called in to visit and presented Brian with a translation of his restaurant name in Irish – Cearnóg an Mhargaidh. That thoughtful gesture is where Brian’s idea for the new sign was born.
“There are 300+ students that walk down the street for lunch every day, and if I can put a sign outside the restaurant, a new premises, and it’s cool, it might encourage more use of the language,” he said.
This is No. 9’s first Christmas, but Chef Brian was keen not to overshoot it for the season. He’s sticking to the classic menu that has worked a treat so far.
“I haven’t changed anything really. There are a few decorations sprinkled around but I wanted people to be comfortable about coming in, knowing it’s not going to be awfully busy or loud,” he said.
Like the new signage, Chef Brian is all about creating an exceptional dining experience with good quality food and wine. His approach keeps the “super duper” regulars coming back for more and makes others put the restaurant on their bucket list.
“It’s a lovely boost for me in the kitchen when you hear the enthusiasm of new people coming in and just before they go up the stairs they say “we’ve finally made it”,” he said.
Brian treats the restaurant as an extension of his home, and creating a relaxing ‘vibe’ is paramount. He’s also recently decked the halls with amazing artwork by local artists.
No. 9 Market Square, Letterkenny
Looking ahead to 2025, Chef Brian plans to introduce more seafood options and do more creative collaborations with local suppliers.
“I’m very happy with the menu. I’ll be tweaking it with the spring season. I think seafood is an important part of our diet. I think I have the experience and the background in seafood to be able to produce some super dishes. It is good for you and it’s what I’m passionate about.”
“As a chef it’s great to work with producers to enhance their products as well. There’s something personal about having suppliers part of this journey moving forward.”
Watch this space for some No 9. inspired launches!
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