Empalme: H O Ceadoiro serves a good cheap meal, 9€. You can order in advance as you pass on your way to the albergue at Santa Irene, then go back uphill later to eat it (not Sundays). The restaurant/bar on the other side of the N547, Mesón O Empalme, also has a reasonably priced menu.

Empalme: Arrows here point both downhill along the main road and to the right for a path through the forest (safer and more pleasant). The forest path has a well-signed left turn leading to the private albergue via a subway under the road. Continue straight ahead to rejoin the main road and Santa Irene Xunta de Galicia albergue.

About 1 km before Santa Irene, at the road junction at the top of the hill (GPS: 42.91525, -8.32297), there are two nice restaurant/bars.

These make for a great spot to take a break before continuing on to Santa Irene.

Santa Irene itself is a quiet stop on the Camino, but these bars offer a welcome opportunity to rest and refresh before the final stretch toward Pedrouzo.