The Paddock Coffee shop, Portnoo a Certified Listening Space

The Paddock Coffee Shop, Portnoo: Where Sound Meets the Sea

Perched along the shoreline at Narin Beach, The Paddock Coffee Shop has become a beloved fixture of Donegal’s coastal life—where great coffee, local flavour, and sea air come together in one of the county’s most breathtaking settings.

Owned and managed by Shóna Murphy Kennedy, The Paddock is known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and carefully curated offerings. From expertly brewed coffee using Hatter Coffee Co. beans to gourmet sausage rolls, açai bowls, and home-baked treats, everything is served with an emphasis on quality and local collaboration. It’s a place where simplicity is elevated, and where both locals and visitors gather to pause, refuel, and take in the view.

Now, The Paddock Coffee Shop adds a new layer to its experience as it joins the Listening Spaces Network.

From the very first conversation, there was an immediate and enthusiastic yes—from Shóna and her daughter Abigail, a young singer-songwriter whose own creative journey reflects exactly what the network stands for. That natural alignment speaks to something deeper: a genuine belief in supporting local music and giving artists a place to be heard.

With the introduction of the Donegal Chilled Sound playlist, The Paddock becomes more than just a destination for coffee by the sea. It becomes a listening space—where the sound of Donegal’s artists flows alongside the rhythm of the waves.

Set against the backdrop of one of Donegal’s finest beaches, this pairing of place and music feels effortless. Visitors arriving for the view will now leave with a soundtrack—an authentic connection to the talent and creativity rooted in the county.

In joining the Listening Spaces Network, The Paddock Coffee Shop, Portnoo continues to do what it already does so well: create an experience that is grounded in place, shaped by community, and enriched by culture.

Only now, it comes with a soundtrack.