‘We started a seven course fine dining restaurant in the front room of our Kildare home’
Original story by: Independent.ie
Last updated: Oct 17, 2025
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- Context: Audrey Byrne, an accountant by profession, fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a chef by opening a fine dining restaurant called "Grooms at the Ranch" in her period home in Kildare. The restaurant, which operated from 2020 until early 2024, focused on an intimate dining experience using local ingredients. Despite its success, the demanding schedule led to burnout and the eventual closure of the restaurant.
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- Detailed Summary:
- Audrey Byrne transitioned from her career as an accountant to pursue her passion for culinary arts.
- In 2020, she established "Grooms at the Ranch," a small, intimate fine dining restaurant within her own home, accommodating only 12 guests.
- The restaurant served a seven-course tasting menu, with Byrne working as an accountant during weekdays and cooking on Saturday nights.
- Her son, Alex (an architect), assisted with wine pairings, and his fiancée, Chloe, worked as a waitress. Her husband, Seán, also contributed.
- "Grooms at the Ranch" gained recognition for its intimate atmosphere and the use of locally sourced ingredients, including foraged mushrooms and produce from organic farms.
- The close proximity of diners often led to conversation and friendships forming across tables, influencing the restaurant's service style.
- Byrne's culinary inspiration and training came from a six-week course at JP McMahon's cookery school in Galway.
- The couple purchased "The Ranch," a six-bedroom period house built in 1882, in 2019, drawn to its charm and potential.
- They undertook extensive renovations, preserving original features like stained glass windows, fireplaces, and ornate coving, while also updating amenities such as insulation, wiring, and en-suite bathrooms.
- The restaurant built a loyal following but the intense workload eventually became unsustainable, leading to private bookings and even a wedding.
- The demanding schedule resulted in Byrne experiencing severe exhaustion, culminating in a car accident due to falling asleep at the wheel, which prompted the decision to close the restaurant.
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