In Ireland, we are blessed by the fact that we are not a wine producing nation. It is because of this that we have such a great choice of wines from around the world from which to choose.

Travel to a wine producing country such as France, Spain or Italy and you will be met with a much narrower spectrum of wines: usually the local specialties with a small selection of premium wines. Try buying Burgundy in Tuscany or Chianti in the Cotes d’Or and you will probably get some very strange looks!

So we are very lucky to have wines from the four corners of the globe but until recently, if you wanted to go out and drink them, you had only two choices; either go to the local pub and endure whatever quarter bottle selection they may supply; or go to a nice restaurant with a good wine list; have a two or three course meal and buy a bottle of what you fancy.

Neither of these options is very suitable when all you want to do is enjoy a nice bottle of wine.

It is from this ‘wine wilderness’ that the idea sprang for a place to go and drink good wines, either by the glass or the bottle, with the option to eat as much or as little as you desire; maybe a plate of cheese; some charcuterie, an organic fillet steak or maybe just a bowl of olives.

Tasty simple food, with all beef, pork and lamb sourced through our family farm in Co. Clare, coupled with a great list of wines from around the world (over ninety of which are available by the glass), served up with a minimum of fuss and pretention in comfortable and relaxing surroundings by people who are passionate about what they do.

The original ely, ely winebar opened its doors in December 1999 offering over 70 wines by the glass including champagnes, sherries and ports.

In June 2006 we introduced ely to the waterfront of the bustling Irish Financial Services Centre, in the award winning Custom House Quay (chq) building. ely chq brasserie with its stunning vaulted cellars and atrium bar showcases what we do best at ely; great wines and beers and smooth food in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.

In February 2007 we created a distinctly contemporary venue in ely hq gastro pub in Hanover Quay, in Dublin’s South Docklands. The lively atmosphere, bright, stylish interior, heated waterside patio and young, upbeat staff echo the modern and urban surroundings of this developing area. The food menu is based on ely’s popular signature dishes.

ely chq brasserie and ely hq gastro pub are both fully licensed serving a range of beers both bottled and on tap.

"Nine years on it is still that favourite place, except that now there are three ely’s from which to choose - all different in atmosphere but with the same focus on unfussy food and terrific wine." - Mary Dowey