ねこの物語Neko · Carlow

Cooking. Craft.
A Carlow story.

The people, materials and traditions behind Neko.

てしごとFounder · Chef · Craftsman

Simon Lim.
Always making.

More than twenty years of experience across Asia and Europe inform Simon’s food and approach to hospitality. He founded Neko in 2020 and has continued shaping the restaurant, from the kitchen to its furniture.

His cooking and woodwork share the same attention to materials, patience and detail.

Professional qualification

Food safety knowledge.
Care in practice.

Simon holds a QQI Level 5 Specific Purpose Certificate in Implementing Food Safety Management Systems, awarded in June 2019.

Simon Lim cooking over live fire — At work in the kitchen

Archibald’s Pub · Carlow heritage

From Archibald’s.
To Neko.

After Archibald’s Pub in Carlow closed, Simon reclaimed its solid mahogany woodwork and adapted it for Neko. The carved columns and framed panels now bring a piece of the town’s past into our dining room.

Original mahogany bar woodwork from Archibald’s Pub, with carved columns and framed panels before adaptation for Neko — Before · The original woodwork from Archibald’s Pub

Neko dining room in Carlow, showing reclaimed mahogany panels, cherry blossoms and Simon’s handmade wood and blue resin dining tables — After · Restored and reimagined at Neko

A connection to Carlow’s music history

A stage in U2’s early story.

The U2songs concert archive records a U2 performance at El Ruedo, also known as Archibolds El Ruedo, in Carlow on 16 August 1979. Today, woodwork reclaimed from the former pub has a new home at Neko.

Read the concert archive

包丁Simon’s personal chef’s knives

Companions in the kitchen.

A personal collection that accompanies Simon in his work as a chef. Each blade is carefully maintained by hand with Japanese waterstones.

Care in the tools. Care in every cut.

Simon Lim’s six personal chef’s knives, with patterned steel blades and dark and figured wood handles — Simon’s personal collection · Maintained with Japanese waterstones

A visitor’s perspective

“The interior is
beautifully decorated”

Shane McDonald · 26 February 2024

Digital Marketing Professional · Blogger · Photographer

Shane works in digital marketing and e-commerce consultancy, alongside writing about travel and dining and sharing his photography.

He is also Musical Director and Keyboardist with Celebrating Queen, a Queen tribute band that performs at theatres, festivals and concert venues.

His photography blog, ShaneMcDonald.me, won Silver in the Photography category at Blog Awards Ireland 2018.

His role with Celebrating Queen Celebrating Queen concerts & tour dates About Shane & his professional background Read his photography award announcement

In his February 2024 account of dining at Neko, Shane McDonald described the food, service, presentation and dining room. His first-hand review offers guests a perspective beyond our own story.

Read the original review