Places That Feel Like Home: How an Irish Girl Finds a Sense of Home in Local Hidden Gems

Irish Eyes at Olde Mistick Village is my go-to when I’m craving Irish sweet treats (if you’ve never had a Crunchie bar you’re missing out). Stepping inside feels like walking into a room in an Irish home warm, inviting, and full of Claddaghs and Gaeilge that instantly lift my spirits.

At The Black Sheep in Niantic, the food has a way of transporting me back to a rainy day waiting for my Sunday roast. The Shepherd’s pie tastes like it came from a back kitchen in Killarney. Every bite brings the comfort of traditional flavors and the cozy feeling of home-cooked meals shared with family.

The Harp & Hound in Mystic captures the essence of walking into a local pub in Limerick. The signs pointing to Newcastle West and Adare leave me forgetting which country I’m in for a split second. The atmosphere is rich, the drinks keep flowing and the only thing missing is knowing the entire population of the pub like back home.

When I saw the High Kings announced to perform in New London I could only laugh at how small the world really feels. Every night walking down the street to hear trad music spilling out of Irish pubs is the norm and you had to stop in for just the one. That same draw keeps me coming back for live music here.

These hidden gems remind me that “home” isn’t just a place it’s a feeling, one I can find again and again in the familiar warmth, flavors, and music of my heritage.