Libfocus Link-out for March 2025

Welcome to the March edition of the Libfocus link-out, an assemblage of library-related things we have found informative, educational, thought-provoking and insightful on the Web over the past while.

CRAAP test image from Georgia Southern University, remaining images taken from this month's linkout articles

The one change that worked: I found an escape from online life by swapping my home office for the library.
In this short article for the Guardian, Dale Berning Sawa describes the transformational benefits of using a university library as her home office.

The Book Club for Masochists.
Meet Anna Ferri, Matthew Murray, Megan Whyte and Jam (RJ) Edwards who run a monthly podcast aimed at helping library staff to widen their reading choices to better support their patrons. Hear their discussions of titles they have read from randomly chosen genres that include bizarro fiction and steampunk.

University libraries must be ‘access brokers’, not knowledge repositories.
Liam Bullingham investigates in his Times Higher Education opinion piece the changing nature of libraries in access provision in times of budget cuts and changing reading habits of students and staff.

Open Science at the generative AI turn: An exploratory analysis of challenges and opportunities.
Open Access paper in the journal Quantitative Science Studies summarising the pros and cons of generative AI with regards to Open Science, looking at knowledge, infrastructure and societal actors. If you just want an overview of the findings look at this figure.

SCONUL publishes results of their first Library Technology Report.
A comprehensive analysis of the technology landscape for academic and research libraries. It provides detailed profiles of the products and services used in those spaces, as well as assessments of their functionality and value for money.

SCONUL publishes results of their survey looking at the Future of the Systems Librarian.
As library environments are becoming increasingly automated and digitised, the systems librarian functions as a key ‘in-between’ role, acting as a translator and bridge between technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Changes in Light.
Changes in Light, a short video, directed and edited by artist Anna MacDonald, brings attention to the colonial legacies that influence library design and the importance of work being done to address this.
Made in collaboration with IALS Librarian Marilyn Clarke, library staff and videographer Marisa Zanotti, Changes in Light explores the impact of the affective qualities of libraries on those who use them as a way of revealing the colonial complexities of law itself. The film explores staff’s embodied responses to colonial legacies alongside an exploration of movement and light within the building, offering a nuanced perspective on the complexity of structural change within institutions.

Trinity College Dublin celebrates renaming former Berkeley library after poet Eavan Boland.
The renaming of Trinity College Dublin’s former Berkeley Library after Eavan Boland is “rooted in the determination of staff and students that the building should no longer commemorate a slave owner”, the audience at an event to celebrate the change has heard.

Gone and Mostly Forgotten: A Slice of Academic Librarianship’s Professional Past.
Steven J. Bell reflects about Library Issues, which was published by Mountainside publishing from 1980 until 2016. The fascinating thing about Library Issues is that instead of speaking to library people it targeted academic administrators who "needed a quick introduction to and insight into any library matter". Well worth a read.

Rethinking Authority and Bias. Modifying the CRAAP Test to Promote Critical Thinking about Marginalized Information.
Emily Jaeger-McEnroe suggests a few modifications to the original CRAAP test that provide a means to evaluate marginalised information and prevent its exclusion.

Read More

Libfocus Link-out for February 2025

Welcome to the February edition of the Libfocus link-out, an assemblage of library-related things we have found informative, educational, thought-provoking and insightful on the Web over the past while.

Inside the race to archive the US government’s websites.
Scott J. Mulligan for MIT Technology Review looks at the organizations working to preserve vital climate, health, and scientific data before it’s gone for good, amid a US Government takedown.

News Literacy Week in an Emotionally Inflamed Environment
Kara Yorio for Student Library Journal looks at News Literacy Week off the back of a News Library Project survey assessing teen information attitudes, habits, and skills.

AI-Generated Junk Science Is a Big Problem on Google Scholar, Research Suggests
A recent investigation of the academic search engine highlights the pervasive issue of AI-generated text in academic literature, especially regarding controversial topics, reports Isaac Schultz on Gizmondo.

Report: cheaper ebooks for libraries could "revolutionise the promotion of reading"
This report by UK based charity Libraries Connected finds that patrons who borrow ebooks from public libraries are more likely to become ebook buyers. The report also calls for more flexible ebook licensing that would enable new forms of book groups.

Decolonizing my Library: Collaborating with Underrepresented Communities
In this post, Edgardo Civallero explores the importance of libraries as allies in marginalized communities’ struggles for representation, and how we can actively engage with underrepresented voices to ensure our collections reflect the richness and diversity of the societies we serve. Collaboration is key in this effort — by partnering with those on the margins, libraries can challenge exclusionary practices and contribute to creating a more inclusive knowledge ecosystem.

Why do historians go to archives? Hasn’t everything already been digitized?
Despite living in a world of infinite digital content, digital content options for historians can be hit-or-miss. In Contingent Magazine, Mark Reyes explains that digitisation isn’t always an option for organisations due to costs, staff and time constraints and copyright requirements. Historians travel to archives to access a greater part of the material stored there, to draw on the archivist’s expertise and to make connections that will highlight their own research.

Five low-stress roles that pay well
Esther Taunton lists five 'low-stress, well-paid and potentially fulfilling' jobs in this article for Stuff. Number one on the list is...yes you've guessed it, librarian!

My 'right well-beloved Valentine'
In this blog post for the British Library, Becky Lawton looks at the 1477 letter that is thought to be the earliest surviving Valentine’s love letter.

Making Discovery Easy: Designing a Better Library Search Experience
A blog post from Suzan Karabakal at University of Michigan Library outlining recommendations to consider when designing your Library Discovery Interface.

LPC Investigates Publishing Platform Accessibility
Melanie Schlosser and Shannon Kipphut-Smith detail the early stages of a project focusing on the evaluation of Library Publishing Platforms and accessibility standards.

Nebraska University Libraries shifts approach to academic publishers
The University Libraries is altering its approach to large-scale agreements with major academic publishers. As of January 2025, the University Libraries no longer subscribes to Springer journals as part of a mass, bundled "big deal" package. The decision stems from the University Libraries’ strategic framework which prioritises flexibility, cost-effectiveness and the exploration of new information resources.

Some Thoughts on Showing Up for Students and Overcoming Discouragement.
Academic Librarian Jonathan Rowe describes his approach to showing up for his students this year in this ACRLog. This includes listening with intention and empathy, reinforcing his information expertise, employing principles of trauma-informed teaching and modelling vulnerability and authenticity.

 

Read More

Changing Roles, Not Missions: Why I Moved from Teaching to an Academic Library

This guest blog post is written by Holly Meade-Kennedy from Maynooth University Library.

Maynooth Library: picture credit Alan Monaghan

In April 2024, I joined the Engagement and Information team as a Library Assistant in Maynooth University Library.

One theme that has continuously arisen in my reflections over the last year, is the close link between teaching and working within the Academic Library environment.

Following the passing of my beloved dad in 2021, the classroom - which had always been a safe haven for me as both student and teacher - suddenly became a place that represented a trojan workload I did not have capacity for in that chapter of my life. As I was also completing my third degree at the time as well as working full time, I began to rethink the path I was on. I have always loved learning and am a self-confessed nerd, so it was embarrassingly enjoyable for me up to that point to spend hours planning lessons and correcting (quite literally) hundreds of essays in a single weekend. I pushed myself in every way I could to be the best student and teacher I could be simultaneously.

But one thing an earth-shattering event like grief does best is cause you to reassess your life choices up to that point. I knew I was working as hard as I could, but I hadn't stopped to check in with myself as to whether that work remained fulfilling to me. Being a teacher can often become an armour of identity we wear - and it's good to remind ourselves that we can take that off. We can hang it up and take it back out if it ever feels like a good fit in the future.

The element of teaching I cherished was the human connection. Selfishly, I loved the impact I could have on others by giving them my time and sharing lessons I had learned from others. Long days, difficult situations, endless red tape are all washed away when a student hands you a card at the end of a semester and thanks you for helping them see something differently, or learn something new.

I've always joked to other teacher friends that teaching is similar to childbirth - the pay off is so heart-warming it causes you to forget all of the tears and pain that were involved along the way and somehow you agree to do it again!

My dad used to take me on walks through the beautiful grounds of St. Patricks University Maynooth as a little girl, and as a sixth-year student in 2012 I put that same place top of my CAO form. I spent three years studying here and the library was a place I felt calm, safe and supported throughout my degree. The quiet of the second floor, the view of grounds, the inevitable Starbucks visits - my love of the MU library always stuck with me.

Students in Maynooth Library: picture credit Alan Monaghan

So as I took a walk through MU in late 2023 one afternoon on my way home from teaching a class on Feminism Studies in another college - a cause I had grown passionate about as I learned from the brilliant Dr. Sinead Kennedy of the MU English Department - it dawned on me that there was another way I could interact with students without the added pressure of being directly responsible for their education. 

I began thinking about the possibility of working in MU Library. A few weeks after that day, a job was advertised for the role of Library Assistant and I took it as a sign from my dad that he had taken that walk with me in spirit a few weeks before and had pointed me in this new direction in a place we both knew and loved.

Once I started in the role, it was clear to me there are so many similarities and overlaps between teaching and librarianship and I feel there are many teachers who may have come to the end or even a pause in their teaching journey - and I would love them to be motivated and reassured by this blog that there is life beyond teaching and library life might just be the right fit for them.

The skills many teachers possess - information literacy, research skills, source evaluation, adaptability and patience - all of these are transferable to roles within a library, particularly student-facing roles. The goals are also shared - a desire to help students succeed and supporting their academic journey. 

However, the level of responsibility is the main difference and that can be the key thing that may attract teachers to the library. It was a positive change for me to be able to let go of formal teaching and lesson planning - but in truth it is an adjustment to adapt and let go of the authority. In the classroom you are the expert as the teacher, but in the library you're empowering students to seek out the expertise of others. At first this change can be strange, but the key is realising the change of authority comes with a release of responsibility and that can be a huge weight off your shoulders.

There are changes that require upskilling as you must learn about library systems and processes - but there are more overlaps than differences. Like teaching, every day is unpredictable and varied which keeps it interesting. You may spend ten minutes helping a student learn how to search for journal articles for an assignment and follow it up by creating some social media content highlighting the library's latest offerings. 

The biggest change for me was the idea that once I left the Library at the end of the day, work was over. There was no correcting, responding or reviewing required. There was no learner records to uphold. No material to prepare. No lesson to plan. In my experience, I got to have the enriching interactions with students without the follow up work I had become so accustomed to. This change of pace was so welcome, and the quiet of the library makes for a peaceful and calm working environment.

Having been on a grief journey, I am passionate about mental health awareness and I acknowledge the huge amount of pressure teachers are under with demands seemingly increasing all the time. It can be a hugely rewarding and positive career - but equally it can be demanding and draining. To me it felt teaching was a give in - if it is what you've trained in and if you're lucky enough to be good at something there's a tendency to box yourself in to being just that. But change is always possible and often even positive.

There were also many welcome surprises in my new role - who knew working in a Library wasn't just about shelving books? In fact, we have a team of shelvers who expertly take care of that. I focused on student interactions as part of the Information and Engagement team. 

Students having high five with teacher by Kampus production on pexel.com

One thing I loved about my new role that I know other teachers would appreciate too, is the ability to learn new skills. I've learned so much by getting involved in initiatives like the Athena Swan Library Self-Assessment Team and taking up different training. If you're willing to throw yourself in at the deep end, there is so much to learn at a comfortable pace.

Teachers understand that patience is key, and we are adept at pitching information at the right level. We can easily identify a student who may be struggling and point them in the direction of more help, and our experience with multi-tasking means we can manage busy work environments with confidence. I've felt my class-room management experience stand to me during a very small amount of more difficult interactions over the last year as I have been able to communicate calmly and effectively. All of these attributes make for not only an effective teacher, but an approachable and helpful Library Assistant too. 

Like teaching - networking within the academic library community is important to build a community of like-minded peers and if you're lucky you will find helpful mentors too along the way. I can genuinely say I have been blown away at the support I've received from management in MU Library so far. I've felt embraced as a new member of the team and everyone has taken time to get to know me and help in any way they could. 

Soon, I'll be starting a new position in the General Collections Department with a particular focus on E-Resources. This shows opportunity for career progression is possible and unlike teaching, the path to progression can be quicker in some cases within the Academic Library environment as there are so many varied paths to expand into. 

We choose a job at some point in our lives, but the trick is to keep asking yourself 'do I still choose this?' and remembering you always have a choice. So if the classroom no longer feels like the right place for you, maybe try the library!

Read More

Libfocus Link-out for January 2025

Welcome to the first Libfocus link-out edition of 2025, an assemblage of library-related things we have found informative, educational, thought-provoking and insightful on the Web over the past while.

Canva stock images clockwise from top: ckstockphoto, Marchmeena29, Elnur, munghoodstudios, platongkoh

Lending out a person instead of a book? Abington looks to ‘human library’ to foster conversations.
Kenny Cooper writes about the success of the Danish Human Library movement in this article for WHYY. Aimed at fostering conversations between people who might not normally interact, Human Library events have taken place in over 80 countries since 2000.

Building a university library service where everyone feels welcome.
In this article for Times Higher Education, staff from Cardiff University write about how University libraries can make their services more inclusive and sustainable. Tracey Stanley, Sara Huws and Susan Cousins explain how they translated their EDI goals and strategies into practical actions.

Libraries & Well-Being: A Case Study from The New York Public Library.
This report sets out to establish a relationship between public libraries and the well-being of library patrons. By aligning with positive psychology and positive humanities research, and drawing connections to prior research on public libraries’ impact on community building, social and cultural capital, and civic engagement, we construct a relationship between library use and individual well-being

The State of Library Marketing in 2025: Survey Reveals New Obstacles and Frustrations.
The struggles and goals of libraries shifted in some major ways during. This report from Angela Hursh (of Super Library Marketing: Practical Tips for Library Promotion) sets out the  state of library marketing as we begin 2025.

 ‘WithdrarXiv’ database of 14,000 retracted preprints launches.
Preprints are an important form of Open Access publishing. However, many preprints are withdrawn and Dalmeet Singh Chawla in Nature looks at why that happens.

Using Open Data to Sharpen Science Stories.
Many breaking news stories are based on the availability of open data sources, reports Alice Fleerackers in the Open Notebook.

Using AI to supercharge your library's web presence, marketing, and social media.
In Information Today, David Lee King provides a brief introduction to how libraries can use AI tool to boost marketing efforts.

Libraries as drivers of policy initiatives on a large scale.
Newly released IFLA commissioned report focusing on library functions required to deliver successful large scale projects.

Arkansas Act 372 Declared Unconstitutional in District Court | Library Journal.
Lisa Peet looks at the recent Arkansas District Court decision that declared laws which would expose librarians and booksellers to criminal penalties for provision of LGBTQ+ and sex education materials as unconstitutional.

The endangered library | New University | UC Irvine.
An opinion piece by Isabella Ehring for UC Irvine News on the loss of support for libraries in the wake of shifts in e-books usage and OpenAI.

Libraries and/as Extraction.
The Canadian Journal of Academic Librarianship is delighted to release their latest special issue, Libraries and/as Extraction, co-edited by Maura Seale, Nicole Pagowsky, Rafia Mirza, and Karen P. Nicholson. Taken together, the essays in this special issue home in on how extraction functions as a logic or organising principle of current forms of capitalism within academic librarianship: how libraries extract, and how libraries are extracted from, sometimes discretely, sometimes mangled together in a Gordian knot.

White Paper: Building an AI Literacy Framework: Perspectives from Instruction Librarians and Current Information Literacy Tools.
While information literacy frameworks and standards have traditionally helped librarians plan their instruction sessions, these structures do not address AI. From the analysis of interviews with instruction librarians about AI literacy, Sandy Hervieux and Amanda Wheatley identify the main themes and concerns related to AI for academic libraries and develop a robust framework for AI literacy.

Read More

Libfocus Link-out for December 2024

Welcome to the December edition of the Libfocus link-out, an assemblage of library-related things we have found informative, educational, thought-provoking and insightful on the Web over the past while.

Images featured in this month's link-out articles

‘Systematic reviews’ that aim to extract broad conclusions from many studies are in peril.
Junk papers written by paper mills are threatening to diminish the value of systematic reviews, reports Holly Else in Science.

Podcast on “Thesis for sale”.
What do you do if somebody else publishes your thesis as a book? Hear from Andrew Vonasch on the Human Robot Interaction podcast whose PhD thesis was “pirated” and sold on Amazon.

Top 100 list of banned books 2024.
Wondering what to buy the bibliophiles in your life this Christmas? Look no further than this Journo list of 100 books that have been challenged, banned or burned over the years for alleged obscenity, sexual content, religious reasons and more.

New research report: OER in public libraries.
The Library Futures report, “Keeping an Open Mind: Awareness, Use, and Perspectives of OER in Public Libraries,” takes a first look at how public librarians in America are using and perceiving OER. Tova Gaster outlines how public libraries are opening doors to a world of educational resources that are otherwise locked behind proprietary licenses.

Strength in numbers: How donors, friends, and volunteers drive library advocacy.
For libraryjournal.com, Jonna Ward looks at uniting key stakeholders behind public libraries in the US to advocate for funding, for service expansion, and for general support for their library in challenging times.

Let’s talk about toy books!
Yasmeen Khan, Graduate Trainee Resource Description Assistant at Oxford Libraries looks at the ‘Toy Book’ collection at Osney, a selection of legal deposit material requiring special care for a variety of reasons.

A library specific guide to Bluesky for academic libraries and librarians.
During November 2024, the social network Bluesky underwent a significant transformation. What had been a platform where a few libraries set up experimental profiles with mixed results, suddenly became a space where many libraries were achieving substantial engagement. In short, Bluesky has reached a critical mass, with enough users leaving Twitter and joining the platform for it be considered a legitimate X-replacement. This guide is a good place to start if you or your library wants to make the most of Bluesky.

10 Tips toward accessibility.
Elizabeth B. White provides some tips on making instructional material accessible using principles of Universal Design for Learning in American Library Magazine.

How to identify AI-generated text: 7 ways to tell if content was made by a bot.
In this Mashable article, Chance Townsend looks at strategies for evaluating text and determining if it has been AI generated.

What characterises LIS as a fragmenting discipline? 
In the Journal of Documentation, Pertti Vakkari characterises library and information science (LIS) as a fragmenting discipline both historically and by applying Whitley’s (1984) theory about the organisation of sciences and Fuchs’ (1993) theory about scientific change.

Who cites the contributions by information science?
Kalervo Järvelin and Pertti Vakkari endeavour to find out which research topics and methods in information science (IS) articles are used in other disciplines as indicated by citations.

Read More

A Culinary Tour of Carlow Town: How to create an AI-generated blog post

Alana Mahon O'Neill is a library assistant in DCU Library. She attended the CONUL Training and Development AI and Libraries seminar which took place in the University of Galway on the 28th November 2024. At this event she won the blog series contest and she has shared her winning blog post with us below.

It's an AI-generated blog post called A Culinary Tour of Carlow Town which demonstrates how to get AI to do what you want through a series of well thought-out prompts. 

Learn more about the process in AI and Libraries 2: Enhancing Library Marketing with AI Tools published by Eileen Kennedy in the Hardiblog. 

Alana Mahon O'Neill picture credit Claire Mason

Task 2 – AI generated Blog

Prompt:

I want you to write a blog post about the three best restaurants available in Carlow town. You should reference (and link) some reviews about the restaurants that have been shared online. I would like for you to write in a neutral style of voice and with a few words sprinkled in here or there in the Hiberno-Irish dialect to appeal towards an Irish reader. I want you to be informative, but also tell a story and convince the reader to visit. Feel free to have fun and crack some jokes. The target audience is an Irish native, who would like to eat familiar, tasty food that is good value and of excellent quality. 300 words maximum.

OpenAI's ChatGPT first response:

Culinary Tour of Carlow Town: Top Three Picks for a Great Bite

Carlow might be a small town, but it packs a mighty punch when it comes to food. Whether you're a local or just passing through, there are some stellar options for a hearty meal that’ll leave you delighted and perhaps even planning your next visit.

1. Mimosa Bar de Tapas

A beacon for tapas lovers, Mimosa offers a warm welcome and plates as colourful as a Spanish fiesta. Known for their steak tartare and perfectly seared steak, Mimosa's dishes are rich in flavour and served with flair. Pair that with the attentive staff, and you’re in for a treat. It’s also known for its little extras—complimentary drinks and sweet surprises often make diners feel extra special. Gastroranking OpenTable.

2. Teach Dolmain

If you’re after something a bit more traditional, Teach Dolmain is a brilliant choice. This pub combines hearty Irish staples with a touch of modern finesse. Their portions are generous, their prices fair, and the staff offer service with a smile—no wonder locals rave about it! It's the spot for comfort food done well, with a side of Carlow charm OpenTable.

3. Lennons @ VISUAL 

Situated within the VISUAL arts centre, Lennons offers a bright, modern dining experience. Known for its fresh and locally sourced ingredients, this restaurant serves beautifully presented dishes that are as tasty as they are Instagram-worthy. It’s the perfect place to relax over a leisurely lunch or a sophisticated dinner Gastroranking OpenTable.

Next time you’re in Carlow, be sure to give one of these spots a go. Whether you’re sharing tapas, digging into a comforting Irish classic, or indulging in an artisanal dish, you’re guaranteed a belly full of happiness. Sláinte!

Alana's comments:

The links just go to a list of restaurants in Carlow, not to any specific restaurant page, or review as I had asked. However, this is also a limitation of the website design.

Mimosa Bar de Tapas also mentions a steak dish twice! What if it mentioned a single dish for each restaurant…

2nd prompt:

Great, now I want you to mention a specific dish for each restaurant that is also served there.

OpenAI's ChatGPT second response:

A Culinary Tour of Carlow Town: Top Three Picks and What to Order

Carlow's dining scene is a treasure trove of delicious options. Here’s a closer look at three standout restaurants and the dishes you simply must try when visiting.

1. Mimosa Bar de Tapas

For a taste of Spain with a modern twist, Mimosa delivers in spades. Their Steak Tartare, served with egg yolk and crispy toast, is a firm favourite. The bold flavours and delicate textures make this a standout choice, perfect for those seeking something a bit adventurous but utterly rewarding. Gastroranking OpenTable.

2. Teach Dolmain

If it’s traditional Irish fare you’re after, the Slow-Cooked Beef and Guinness Stew at Teach Dolmain is an absolute must. Tender beef, rich gravy, and a side of creamy mash or crusty bread make it the ultimate comfort dish—ideal for warming the cockles on a cold day OpenTable.

3. Lennons @ VISUAL

Lennons is the spot for fresh, seasonal delights. Their Pan-Fried Hake, served with herbed baby potatoes and a lemon caper sauce, showcases their commitment to locally sourced, high-quality ingredients. Light, zesty, and satisfying, it’s a dish that makes a statement without being over the top Gastroranking OpenTable.

Each of these dishes tells its own story, and together, they paint a picture of Carlow’s vibrant food scene. So, pull up a chair, tuck in, and let these culinary gems work their magic. 

Sláinte!

Alanna's comments:

I checked out the menus available for these restaurants, and the steak tartare is not an available dish at Mimosa Bar de Tapas. Lennons does not serve Pan Fried Hake, as it may be an old dish, or out of season. Teach Dolmain does not have Slow-Cooked Beef and Guinness Stew as a staple main course. Is ChatGPT ‘hallucinating’?

3rd prompt: 

Can you provide for me a link to a review that mentions the dish "Slow-Cooked Beef and Guinness Stew" that was served at Teach Dolmain.

OpenAI's ChatGPT third response:

I wasn’t able to find a direct link to a review specifically mentioning the "Slow-Cooked Beef and Guinness Stew" from Teach Dolmain due to technical issues with accessing some sources. However, reviews frequently praise their hearty Irish dishes, including stews, on platforms like TripAdvisor and Restaurant Guru. You may find detailed mentions there by browsing through customer comments.

Would you like me to try searching further or assist in another way?

Alana's comments:

So, there is a limitation when it comes to the information it processes and produces. It admitted to potentially making up the dish. Therefore, I will need to check out a current menu at these restaurants and mention exact dishes in the prompt.

4th prompt: Can you re-write the blog post previously presented, and this time use these dishes instead: for Mimosa Bar de Tapas use "Churrasco Beef Bavett", for Teach Dolmain use the dish "Pan Fried Haddock", and for Lennon's use "Pan-fried Cod".

OpenAI's ChatGPT fourth response: 

A Culinary Tour of Carlow Town: Top Three Picks and Must-Try Dishes

Carlow’s food scene might be small, but it’s mighty, offering a delightful range of flavours for those looking for a memorable meal. Here’s a guide to three standout restaurants and the dishes that make them shine.

1. Mimosa Bar de Tapas

Step into Mimosa and find yourself whisked to the Mediterranean with a creative Irish twist. Their Churrasco Beef Bavette is the star of the show—succulent, marinated beef cooked to perfection and served with chimichurri for a burst of fresh, zesty flavour. It’s the kind of dish that keeps regulars coming back for more Gastroranking OpenTable.

2. Teach Dolmain

A classic Irish pub with a modern edge, Teach Dolmain is known for hearty portions and fresh ingredients. Their Pan-Fried Haddock is a revelation: flaky fish with a golden, crispy crust, served with a side of buttered vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes. It’s a wholesome, comforting dish that showcases the best of local produce OpenTable.

3. Lennons @ VISUAL

Housed within the VISUAL arts centre, Lennons combines style and substance. Their Pan-Fried Cod, paired with seasonal vegetables and a delicate white wine sauce, is a testament to their focus on simplicity done well. Fresh, flavourful, and beautifully plated, it’s a dish that feels like a celebration of the sea Gastroranking OpenTable.

These three gems offer not just meals but experiences. Whether you’re sharing tapas with friends, tucking into traditional Irish comfort food, or indulging in fine dining with a local flair, Carlow delivers. 

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a fork, and dive in. Sláinte!

Alana's comments: Finally, this blog post after being cross-examined is now suitable for publication!

A Culinary Tour of Carlow Town: Top Three Picks and Must-Try Dishes!

Published 22nd November 2024 by Joe Bloggs

Carlow’s food scene might be small, but it’s mighty, offering a delightful range of flavours for those looking for a memorable meal. Here’s a guide to three standout restaurants and the dishes that make them shine.

1. Mimosa Bar de Tapas

Step into Mimosa and find yourself whisked to the Mediterranean with a creative Irish twist. Their Churrasco Beef Bavette is the star of the show—succulent, marinated beef cooked to perfection and served with chimichurri for a burst of fresh, zesty flavour. It’s the kind of dish that keeps regulars coming back for more.

2. Teach Dolmain

A classic Irish pub with a modern edge, Teach Dolmain is known for hearty portions and fresh ingredients. Their Pan-Fried Haddock is a revelation: flaky fish with a golden, crispy crust, served with a side of buttered vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes. It’s a wholesome, comforting dish that showcases the best of local produce.

3. Lennons @ VISUAL

Housed within the VISUAL arts centre, Lennons combines style and substance. Their Pan-Fried Cod, paired with seasonal vegetables and a delicate white wine sauce, is a testament to their focus on simplicity done well. Fresh, flavourful, and beautifully plated, it’s a dish that feels like a celebration of the sea.

These three gems offer not just meals but experiences. Whether you’re sharing tapas with friends, tucking into traditional Irish comfort food, or indulging in fine dining with a local flair, Carlow delivers. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a fork, and dive in.

Sláinte!

This blog post was created with the assistance of AI, specifically using OpenAI's ChatGPT. It was used to choose the most popular restaurants against popular review sites such as Gastroranking and Open Table. It was also used to plan the structure of the blog post, establish a tone, and for its flow of language. All content cross-examined and verified by a human (Alana).

Read More