Thursday, February 26, 2026

Timeless Luxury meets Irish Craftsmanship: Raise a Glass with The Doyle Collection and Waterford

Timeless Luxury meets Irish Craftsmanship: Raise a Glass with The Doyle Collection and Waterford



This March, The Doyle Collection and Waterford invite you to raise a glass to Irish Heritage Month with a partnership that captures the very essence of Irish artistry and excellence. 


Founded in 1783, the historic Irish brand, Waterford, is renowned worldwide for its crystal glassware and home décor. As an Irish, family-owned hotel group, The Doyle Collection shares Waterford’s values of timeless luxury, heritage and elegance - a partnership that authentically showcases Irish culture, craftsmanship and hospitality in all its glory.


Throughout the month, each signature bar within The Doyle Collection’s hotels across Ireland, London and Washington, D.C. will create and serve its own bespoke cocktail designed to be as breathtaking as the glass it is served in. Experience the satisfying weight of hand-cut crystal and the refraction of light as you toast to Irish hospitality; each sip is elevated by the iconic Lismore Martini glass, which is inspired by the Gothic architecture of Lismore Castle, the historic fortress in Waterford that is now the Irish seat of the Dukes of Devonshire. 


Alongside these bespoke creations, the outlets across the group will be serving a selection of Irish cheese toasties, Guinness bread, Irish coffee, Guinness cake and seafood chowder. Together, the Waterford cocktails offer the perfect opportunity to soak up Irish tradition and warm hospitality this March, whether you’re staying local or visiting The Doyle Collection further afield.




The Destinations: 


The Sidecar at The Westbury, Dublin

Enjoyed in Dublin, where Irish whiskey craftsmanship feels instinctive, Waterford’s Honey Psalm is made with Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey, Valentia Island Vermouth, lemon juice and honey. It is an elegant yet welcoming cocktail, offering a refined expression of Irish hospitality that feels both grounded and celebratory - fitting for The Doyle Collection’s flagship.


The Coral Room and The Bloomsbury Club at The Bloomsbury, London

In the intimate, low-lit setting of The Bloomsbury Club, the experience becomes quietly immersive, drawing attention to the texture, aroma and depth of the serve. Waterford’s Atlantic Psalter combines Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey with Guinness reduction, Tio Pepe Fino Sherry, Red Irish Sea Moss tincture and chocolate bitters, a cocktail where layered complexity unfolds beautifully in hand-cut crystal. 


Upstairs, the mood is more expressive, lending itself to a cocktail designed for shared moments and lingering conversation. Served in Waterford crystal, Waterford’s Blackwater Velvet mixes Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey with Cadello liqueur, Irish Malt Whiskey Cream, Karminia, red vermouth, chocolate liqueur and hojicha sparkling tea, creating a rich yet playful drink.

 

K Bar at The Kensington, London 

At The Kensington, a sense of ease and balance defines the experience, making it an ideal setting for a fresh, herbaceous cocktail that celebrates flavour. Waterford’s Green Shoots made with Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey, Karminia, vermouth and Green Chartreuse feels lifted and precise, its crisp profile heightened by the tactile pleasure of Waterford crystal.


108 Brasserie at The Marylebone, London

At 108 Brasserie, the unhurried pace encourages guests to notice the finer details, from aromatics to the play of light through crystal. Waterford’s Lucky Charm is a mix of Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey, Carpano Antica Formula, Southern Comfort, Maraschino Cherry Syrup, Angostura Bitters and Peychaud’s bitters, resulting in a smooth, spirit-forward cocktail with an easy, approachable charm.


Doyle at The Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.

Enjoying an Irish whiskey cocktail in Washington, D.C. highlights the global reach of Irish craftsmanship, anchored by the familiar weight of Waterford glasses. Waterford’s Crimson Quay blends Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey, Waterford Single Malt Whiskey, Fonseca Tawny Port, sweet vermouth and orange vermouth, offering a rich, composed serve that feels generous and assured.


The River Lee, Cork 

In Cork, the experience feels naturally rooted, where local influence and Irish tradition meet. Served in Waterford’s Lismore glasses, Waterford’s Poetry and Rebellion pairs Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey with housemade apple and fig vermouth crafted using local Kinsale Meade, delivering a thoughtful, expressive finish.


About The Doyle Collection

At the heart of our business is a warmth of service that stems from our family ownership, imbuing our properties with the familiarity and intimacy of a private home. Each of our eight hotels – landmark buildings in unrivalled city locations, has its own distinct personality that is rooted in, and authentic to, its neighbourhood. Innovation and ongoing investment ensure a boutique, cosmopolitan yet local feel – as seen in our cool destination restaurants, bars, and event spaces – while our heritage lends character to our vision of informal luxury, timeless style and the very best guest experience.


About Waterford

Founded in 1783, Waterford is an enduring symbol of Irish heritage and craftsmanship. From iconic stemware to bespoke creations, Waterford continues to bring brilliance to the everyday and extraordinary alike.

Instagram @waterford

waterford.com


press release

Spring Has Sprung at Barberstown Castle. A Fresh Seasonal Escape Awaits

Spring Has Sprung at Barberstown Castle

A Fresh Seasonal Escape Awaits


 

As the days lengthen and the first signs of spring emerge across the countryside, Barberstown Castle in Straffan, Co. Kildare is inviting guests to embrace the new season with a fresh and uplifting escape. Set within the rolling landscape of Kildare, the historic 13th-century castle is coming into bloom once again and is shedding her winter coat.

 

The Spring Escape package includes an overnight stay in one of Barberstown Castle’s elegant guest rooms, a full Irish breakfast the following morning, and a three-course evening meal in the newly refurbished Garden Bar Restaurant, where fresh, seasonal ingredients take centre stage. Guests will also enjoy a complimentary cocktail or mocktail to toast the brighter days ahead, along with an exclusive 10% discount at the nearby, Newbridge Silverware. (Spring escape packages are available from €290 per room per night with options to upgrade room type.)

 

Recent enhancements at the castle have focused on bringing the beauty of the gardens into the heart of the guest experience. Public spaces have been refreshed to feel brighter, lighter and more connected to the outdoors, with garden-facing areas designed to create a natural flow between inside and out. Large windows, soft tones and relaxed seating invite guests to linger, whether enjoying morning coffee, afternoon conversation or an evening drink as the light fades over the grounds.

The Garden Bar, in particular, reflects this renewed focus, offering a relaxed yet refined setting that opens onto the gardens during the warmer months. Here, guests can enjoy light lunches, fresh bakes, artisan coffee and expertly crafted cocktails, all while surrounded by the colours and calm of spring.

 

Set on 20 acres of landscaped gardens and located just 30 minutes from Dublin city centre and Dublin Airport, Barberstown Castle offers a rare blend of history, comfort and understated style — now enhanced by a fresh seasonal energy and a stronger connection between the castle’s interiors and its beautiful surroundings. Whether it’s a romantic getaway, a countryside retreat or a break with friends, spring at Barberstown Castle promises renewal, relaxation and a memorable escape shaped by nature, great food and warm Irish hospitality. For further information or to book, visit www.barberstowncastle.ie or call (01) 628 8157.


press release

 

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Delight for Good Hood as popular St Luke’s restaurant gets wine licence! Good news for us also as we enjoy a lovely meal there!

Delight for Good Hood as popular St Luke’s restaurant gets wine licence! 

Good news for us also as we enjoy a lovely meal there!   

Lamb flatbread


The Good Hood venture is headed by Colin Ryan, known for Hansum Rotisserie Chicken and Paperboys Café. His partner at St Luke’s is Ciarán O'Regan of Dublin’s Rita's Pizzeria fame. Both are graduates of the Ballymaloe Cookery School.


Good Hood is focused on delivering quality food and service, leading to a strong initial success. The restaurant's popularity is evident in its consistently full house, with reservations recommended.  But it took them no less than 14 months to get their drinks licence, announced last week more or less on the same day that we dined there. 


Up to now, Good Hood encouraged patrons to bring their own beverages from the nearby off-license, providing glasses and waiving any corkage fee. It is no longer a BYO venue. But the reaction on their Instagram issues good and they promise some really good wines.

Hot stuff!


They are probably best known own for their pizzas. And the pizzas are certainly a highlight, with options like the Diego, featuring tomato, mozzarella, garlic, oregano, anchovies, and capers. The menu also includes other creative pizza options like the Hunted Hog, Hay Pesto, and the Cheek of It.


But they also a produce a variety of impressive sharing plates, including Beef Cheek, a Brutus Salad and also a pasta dish. A couple of what could be called side dishes as well including chunky, twice cooked chips and Squashed Spuds (crispy, smokey, spiced baby potatoes).


The one page menu is not the longest but it took us quite a while to settle on a couple of sharing plates. When our first was delivered, our bubbling server said we’d have a sharing problem, as there were three of the €15.00 Paella Arancini (seafood paella, almond saffron cream, prosciutto crisp, pecorino). 

Paella Arancini


But no bother, no fight, as we split the three, even a large prawn that we found in one and enjoyed them very much indeed, the rice infused with a fishy smell and that crispy prosciutto. 


The other shared plate could have passed as a main course. This was the Lamb Flat Bread €18: slow cooked leg of lamb, balsamic cherry tomatoes, sumac yogurt picked shallots, mint and za’atar (a condiment from the Middle East (now a regular on menus). The puffed up flatbread has been in the pizza oven (we even got a pizza cutter) and was loaded a great mix of flavour and texture including those terrific tomatoes.


Time now for the main event and more sharing! No bother, we’re used to it, having had sixty years of it since meeting on Shrove Tuesday 1966.

Cheek of It


I was tempted again by the Diego (enjoyed on a previous visit) but our pick was the Cheek of It (16.50). The names comes from the flavoursome in ingredient Guanciale , a type of Italian cured pork made from pig’s cheek. Indeed the San Marzano tomato, chilli flakes, guanciale, pecorino Romano made it something of a flavour bomb and the base was cooked to perfection. While I’m handing out Italian lessons, Pecorino Romano is a sheeps cheese.


Good Hood really appear on social media but they did announce the new wine licence in Instagram (where you’ll also find a reservation facility. It is a busy spot, quite a families in early on, so booking is advised. The room is not the largest though they also have a good pretty sheltered outside area (you may even get a mini-hot water bottle). Bon appetit! 


Insta: goodhoodcork

Hours:

Coffee & Pastries from 8:30

Pizza & Small Plates from 4:30

Brunch from 10 Sat & Sun

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Spitjack lunch a winner on a winter's day

Spitjack lunch a winner on a winter's day




Delighted that I chose Cork's Spitjack for a recent family get-together. Seven of us gathered for chat and food and neither disappointed.

The drinks order was taken first and it was a mixed list. Perhaps the most colourful was the Sangria (above) - we had an aficionado in our midst. We  may not have the heat of the costa but the low winter sun did its best through the upstairs windows.

Another enjoyed the pale ale from 9 White Deer saying that Brad Pitt had the same good taste on his visit, that very day, to the Ballyvourney brewery. Wine of course had its takers and I thought the Artis Chardonnay (I got just a sip) seemed to be among the better non-alcoholic wines around. It, and its Merlot companion, are available from Curious Wines online and at their Tramore Road headquarters.
I like to try a bagel when out to lunch and this one caught my eye. It is the New York Bagel Sandwich and for €18.99 you get quite a plate of Ballycotton Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese, Guacamole, Pickled Red Onion, Capers, Gherkins, Salsa Verde, and the Toasted Bagel of course. It is classed as a sandwich and all are served with a side salad and your choice of French Fries or a Cup of Soup.

There are some eight sandwiches available but most of the group ordered from Mains Section and there was a big and genuine thumbs up from the gent that ordered the popular Rotisserie Pork Belly Porchetta (Slow Cooked Rotisserie Pork Belly, Lightly Stuffed with Sage). 
 
The West Cork Rotisserie Chicken (above) was quite popular at the table. The chicken is 24-Hour Brined with Thyme & Lemon. You get the Breast & Leg, and Rotisserie Chicken Jus. 

The Ballycotton Salmon and Cod Fish cake (with Lemon and Thyme aioli) also had its admirers.
All mains are priced at 19.99 and are served with Steamed Seasonal Vegetables, Carrot Purée & your Choice of Creamy Mash Potato, French Fries or a Cup of Soup.  


Just three desserts on offer; By the way, the evening menu is much more expansive on all counts. Four of us enjoyed the Apple Crumble Tart (Bramley Apple, Shortcrust Pastry, Chantilly Cream), that and a few lattes brought the event to a happy conclusion. Here's to the next one!

An upstairs corner of Spitjacks.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Enjoying the weekend sun at Blarney Castle Gardens, along with the resident heron!

Resident Heron enjoys the sun at Blarney Castle Gardens

pics taken 15.02.26
The resident heron knows the sunniest places

 

A crowd of Crocuses



Daffodil rows



A host of daffodils. Some 40,000 bulbs in all!

An avalanche track of Snowdrops



Blarney House

The famous castle towers over nearby house in the garden

A bare tree except for lots of ivy


Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Café Gusto serving terrific flavour-filled dishes since December 1999. A quarter of a century "of enjoyment and enthusiasm".

 Café Gusto serving terrific flavour-filled dishes since December 1999

A quarter of a century "of enjoyment and enthusiasm".

Stroganoff




Twenty five years ago, Cafe Gusto opened its doors in Cork’s Washington Street, with business partners Marianne Delaney and Denis O’Mullane at the helm. It turned out to be a quarter of a century loaded with enjoyment and enthusiasm in everything they did, the same gusto they bring to Liberty Grill and Proby’s Bistro. 


And continue to do, as we discovered last week at lunchtime. Gusto is a small place, as is sister cafe (also Gusto) on Lapps Quay. The kitchen is tiny. Despite that, the service is superb, very friendly and efficient as they deal with in-house customers and those who call and collect. No wonder their regular customers responded with relish and delight, still do, to the excellent and fairly priced food.



The specials board on the street, close to that famous bicycle, highlighted Soup of the Day (Celeriac), a hot sandwich and Beef Stroganoff. The mention of the Stroganoff,brought back memories of an early, and very pleasing, encounter with the dish on a sunlit outdoor area of a small restaurant on the bank  of Wolfgangsee, known for its typical Austrian lake district scenery. Austria is of course much closer to Russia where the dish originated.


Not too much sunshine in Washington Street that day but I did order the Stroganoff, a melange of thinly cut beef strips, mushrooms and rice (the traditional lead ingredients). A tasty broth further enhanced the experience. As well as the quality, it was also very satisfactory, quite a plateful for €11.50.






Sandwiches are made to order and you have a choice of Ciabatta, Sourdough, Wholemeal or Wrap. There is quite an array of fillings available. You may have Ardsallagh goats cheese, (with hummus, roasted peppers, onion marmalade, & leaves). Or Flying Bacon (Grilled chicken breast, Rosscarbery bacon, Emmental, plum tomato, honey Dijon mayo & leaves). Or caprese (Toons Bridge Mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, basil pesto and spinach). And more! The list varies from time to time and somedays I believe they do a mean Reuben. Must check that one!


All the regular sandwiches cost €7.90 while the Hot Sandwich Special (Chipotle and Lime Chicken, Emmental cheese, peppers, pickled onions, Gusto's sweet chili sauce, mayo and leaves, served in ciabatta) comes in at two euro extra. By the way, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options are available.



CL was happy to see the alternative breads, as quite often toasted sourdough can be “hard” and cut too thick. So she went for the Ciabatta with her Grilled Chicken (chicken breast, plum tomato, cucumber, mayo & mixed leaves Marinated). Again, amazing quality and quantity combined at that fair price.


Indeed so impressed was I when I got a bite of her chicken, that I went and ordered another sandwich for my supper later on.  I struck the jackpot with the Roast Mediterranean Veg (Hummus, sun-blushed tomatoes, grilled aubergine, pickled cabbage & spinach). No meat but no lack of flavour either. The taste buds took an immediate interest and it never flagged. I’d certainly go for that again!


So big thanks to Gusto for their opening “quarter” and here’s to the next twenty five!


Opening at 7am, it offers a small but delicious breakfast menu as well as fresh pastries and great coffee. Lunch offers an extensive list of sandwiches, salads and hot dishes for sit-in, delivery or collection. All dishes are prepared onsite, to order, using only the freshest quality ingredients. Local produce is highlighted throughout and regular suppliers and producers include:


  • Ard­sal­lagh Cheese
  • Toons­bridge Dairy
  • Clona Dairies
  • IIHF
  • East Ferry Free Range Eggs 
  • Pana Bread 
  • Mr. Bells Providers
  • The Real Olive Com­pany
  • Tom Durcan’s Meats 
  • O’Mahoney Butch­ers

More on Gusto here. https://www.cafegusto.com/