Embrace the Art of Al Fresco Dining with Newbridge Silverware

Embrace the Art of Al Fresco Dining 

with Newbridge Silverware

 

As the days grow longer and warmer, there is no better way to celebrate the season than by gathering family and friends outdoors for relaxed dining and memorable moments. Newbridge Silverware's elegant collection of entertaining essentials brings style, sophistication and practicality to every garden party, patio lunch or evening celebration.

 

This summer, transform your outdoor table into a beautiful setting with carefully selected pieces designed to elevate every al fresco occasion.

Adding both charm and character to your table is the delightful Bird Salt & Pepper Set (€40), a beautifully designed accessory that brings a playful yet elegant touch to outdoor dining. Perfect for casual lunches or stylish evening entertaining, it is a conversation piece that complements any summer tablescape.

 

As daylight fades, create a warm and inviting atmosphere with the LED Lamp with Silver Plated Base (€60). Combining contemporary style with timeless elegance, this portable lamp casts a soft ambient glow, making it ideal for evening dining under the stars.

 

No outdoor gathering is complete without delicious sharing platters. The beautifully crafted Ceramic and Wood Cheese Board Set (€50) offers the perfect way to present artisan cheeses, charcuterie and appetisers. Complementing this is the stylish Ceramic and Wood Condiment Set (€50), ideal for serving olives, dips, chutneys and other accompaniments with effortless sophistication.

 

Raise a glass to summer entertaining with the elegant Wine Glass Set of 6 (€30). Whether serving crisp white wine, rosé or sparkling refreshments, these glasses bring a refined touch to every occasion. For refreshing soft drinks, cocktails or iced beverages, the matching Hiball Glasses Set of 6 (€25) provides a stylish and versatile addition to your tableware collection.

 

Together, these carefully curated pieces reflect Newbridge Silverware's commitment to quality craftsmanship, timeless design and memorable entertaining. Whether hosting a casual garden brunch, an afternoon barbecue or an elegant evening gathering, the collection makes outdoor dining both stylish and effortless.

 

This season, create unforgettable moments around the table and embrace the joy of al fresco living with Newbridge Silverware.

For more information or to browse the full collection, visit www.newbridgesilverware.com or their showrooms in Newbridge.

press release

The River Club Brings Italian Aperitivo Culture Leeside with Scúp Gelato

The River Club Brings Italian Aperitivo Culture to Leeside with Scúp Gelato

This summer, the ultimate summer terrace experience awaits at The River Club, as The River Lee unveils Sundaes & Spritz - a playful new summer terrace theme and collaboration with award-winning Irish gelato makers Scúp Gelato. Bringing a splash of Italian sophistication Leeside, the hotel’s riverside terrace has been adorned with a fresh palette of white and blue florals, with striking delphiniums taking centre stage. Once again transformed for the season ahead, it promises to be a must-visit destination for long summer afternoons, leisurely spritzes, and relaxing city-escape moments.

A family-run Irish producer renowned for crafting some of the country’s finest artisan gelato since 2014, Scúp Gelato and The River Club are united by a shared passion for quality Irish produce and craftsmanship, with Scúp creating its gelato using premium locally sourced dairy from farms close to its headquarters in Co. Wexford. The partnership brings a distinctly Italian influence to the terrace experience, drawing inspiration from the relaxed elegance of aperitivo culture — where spritzes, sweet treats, and long summer gatherings take centre stage.

On the menu, guests can choose from three signature sundae options. The River Club Signature Sundae featuring raspberry jelly, custard, Scúp Irish gelato, fruit coulis, blondie, cream, and nuts, the Terrace Super Split combines Scúp orange ice cream, Aperol granita and prosecco, while the Whoopsie Daisy is dropped vanilla and cherry gelato, chocolate crunch topped off with crushed sable biscuit. These pair perfectly with a choice of four spritz cocktails: The 'Pana' Loma, a take on the classic paloma; The Last Port of Call, combining Boatyard Double Gin, Graham's White Port and a refreshing cucumber note; The Grand Stretch, featuring Ketel One Vodka, passionfruit syrup, prosecco and soda; and The Riviera Spritz, an alcohol-free option with lychee, pomegranate, mint and alcohol-free sparkling wine.

Sundaes & Spritz in partnership with Scúp Gelato at The River Club will run from the end of May throughout the summer season, offering a laid-back riverside destination where guests can unwind, gather, and enjoy a taste of Italian-inspired summer living in the city. On Thursdays throughout the summer, the River Club terrace will offer complimentary Scúp gelato scoops to guests between 6pm and 6.15pm, served from the River Club gelato bike with the purchase of a cocktail.

To reserve a table visit theriverclubcork.ie

press release

A right royal booze cruise in the Kingdom

A right royal booze cruise in the Kingdom 

Kerry comes up trumps with beer and whiskey.

Always enjoy a visit to Kerry and last week's visit was no exception, even if the weather played spoilsport. 

If you visit only one off licence in the county, then the Carry Out on the Muckross Road is the one. I've been visiting regularly for the past few years and they never let you down. It is well stocked and local beers are prominently displayed. This time I bought a bunch of cans from the Dingle Brewery (Dick Macks), some Tom Crean and Sullivan's Red Ale. As we drove off, the boot already had the sounds of a wine-buying trip on the Loire or the Rhone or Dordogne.

After a very enjoyable private visit in Killarney, we made our way to the Parknasilla Resort, our home from home for the next three nights. More on the hotel and its many facilities here. The drinks list came in for immediate scrutiny and I was delighted to note that they had no less then four craft beers on tap, a lager and IPA from Tom Creans (over the road), a Pale Ale from Blacks of Kinsale and the Red Ale from Sullivans of Kilkenny. It is the first time I've had that red ale on tap and it was magnificent. Sullivans don't dabble in a multitude of styles but the few they produce are top notch.

From Carry Out, Muckross Road, Killarney

Quite a selection also of Irish whiskey, as you'd expect, including the local favourite, the Dingle Whiskey Single Pot Still, a very enjoyable dram indeed. I was one of the early visitors to Dingle where the witty guide, an ex-guard, relieved me of ten of my euro, a fee I was glad to pay after an engaging visit. Good to see how the distillery has come on over the years. On the other hand, it is sad to see the newer Killarney Distillery in limbo but hopefully that will change some time soon.

Dick Mack's IPA

On the third night of our visit, we had dinner in the second of the Parknasilla restaurants, the Eliza Doolittle, named after a character in the George Bernard Shaw play Pygmalion.This is a relaxed place,  the social heart of the resort, and also serves excellent food (lunch and dinner). It is also the hotel's bar and the same drinks list is available here. Our sips for the night included a pint of that irresistible Sullivans and a drop of the Method and Madness Single Malt whiskey.

Excellent seasonal cider at Carry Out, Kenmare

There is so much to do here that you really don't have to travel outside the 500 acres osf seashore and woodland of the estate. But I had a hankering to walk to the top of Bray Head on Valentia Island. The pathway up has been much improved since my last visit but the fog was bad this morning and we had to turn back about two thirds of the way up this usually spectacular walk. On the way down, we stopped in the very friendly Skellig Seafront Restaurant for a scone and pastry and a cuppa and I noted they also sell the Waterville brewed McGill beer. Recommended if you find yourself strolling around Portmagee.

Foggy walk

Also recommended is a visit to Portmagee Whiskey with its unusual domed enclosures that include, a big surprise to me,  a traditional Seine Boat, boats that you may see in competitive action, with 12-man crews, at the Portmagee Regatta, the ultimate race of the season for an "uniquely localised sport". A few years back, a Bantry man told me, as we bumped across an angry bay in his rib, how he crewed one (they are distinctive and may also be called a long boat) from the town. Indeed, I have seen a bunch of them in competitive action once, not in Portmagee but at the mouth of the Bidasoa River as it enters the Atlantic Ocean between Hendaye in France and Hondarribbia in Spain.

The domes of Portmagee Whiskey and, below, the impressive Seine Boat that is displayed here.

We didn't of course forget the purpose of the visit and called to the shop onsite where, having sampled a few, I decided on one of the 9-year olds. Looking forward to trying that in due time.

Glass of Rosé in Eliza Doolittle

The booze cruise wasn't quite over yet and the Tom Cream brewery in Kenmare was our next stop. Here, on Saturdays, you may book a guided tour and hear the story of Tom Crean, Ireland's famous Antarctic explorer and of course taste their award-winning beers, including their latest, an non-alcoholic beer, with the apt name of Last Man Standing.

I've known these beers, brewed by Bill and Aileen, fairly well over the years and stocked up again, just to add to the tinkle of glass in the back of the car. Slainte! Or should I say Santé?

Also on this trip

Meals at Parknasilla Resort a highlight of three-day trip to County Kerry

Meals at Parknasilla Resort a highlight of three-day trip to County Kerry

 Meals at Parknasilla Resort a highlight of three-day trip to County Kerry

Pan Seared Fillet of Halibut (Roasted Fennel, White Asparagus Velouté, Crispy Hazelnut and Bacon)

No shortage of dining options at the magnificent 4-star Parknasilla Resort in County Kerry, situated on a prime coastal site between Kenmare and Sneem and with some 500 acres, much of it covered with trees, to walk up an appetite or perhaps to walk off any excess. 

Spiced Vegetables Tagine (Chickpeas, Cherry Tomatoes, Herb Cous Cous), Lamb option included. 

The main building, the hotel, has two dining rooms, the Pygmalion and the Eliza Doolittle called, respectively, after a 1913 play by George Bernard Shaw and a character in the play. Shaw was a regular visitor here and loved the place.

Chicken Liver Paté (Brioche, Hazelnut Crumble, Red Onion Jam, Port Reduction) 

Pygmalion  is the more “high class” of the two, not to say that Doolittle is in any way low class. But you will pay more and expect a little extra by way of fine food in Pygmalion and that is exactly what you’ll get. Pygmalion also offers Specials while Eliza does not!

Those specials are well worth checking out. Our Halibut was exquisite on the first night, the Pork Fillet on the second. You may see the full menus here https://parknasillaresort.com/pygmalion-menu.

Roast Medallions of Monkfish (Asparagus and Leek, Confit Cherry Tomato, Garlic Butter and Herb Velouté) 

The service, including from the bar (try a superb Sullivan’s Red Ale), was also excellent. Everything went like clockwork with time too for little hints and chats and big smiles.

Salmon Gravlax (Burnt Orange Gel, Blackened Citrus, Marmalade)

Our booking for the third night was in Eliza Doolittle and again we enjoyed it, start to finish. As a little bonus, the music was livelier than the piano in Pygmalion! And there was no slackening of the super service with everyone on the team playing a part making it a very pleasant experience.

Bacon Wrapped Fillet of Pork (Sautéed Savoy Cabbage, Chorizo, Apple Puree, Glazed Rainbow Carrot, Fig Chutney,
Red Wine Jus)

The menu is more accessible, for sure, and will suit family groups more. Remember, besides the hotel itself there are two groups of lodges and residences in the grounds. Highlight for us on the night were the Spiced Vegetables Tagine, enhanced by the added lamb, a dram of Method & Madness single malt and a surprisingly good Croix Des Vents Cinsault Rosé.

Pan Seared Fillet of Salmon (Courgette and Herb Orzo, Bell Pepper Puree, Cherry Tomato, Pine Nuts, Parmesan Cream)

Rosé

Besides the two main dining rooms, you may also pop into the Railway Express Barista Café for a cup of coffee or tea and a treat or visit the even more informal Tram Street Food.

If you can drag yourself away from all the food here, from the activities, including a variety of aquatic attractions, golf, tennis and kilometres of walks (children catered for also) and are looking for a midday snack, here are two that we availed. 

We rarely pass Maison Gourmet  in Kenmare. It is a busy spot but worth a little wait in the queue as their breads and pastries are on a par with anything you’ll find in a French town. 

Breakfast Pancakes

In Portmagee, on our way out of Valentia, we visited the very friendly Skellig Seafront Restaurant for a scone and pastry and a cuppa. Quite a large place, well situated by the harbour, where you can see the Skellig Islands boats come and go through the large window or, on a good day, you can sit outside, enjoy your food and the activity. And don’t forget to pay on the way out as they trust you on the way in!

Also on this trip:

A right royal booze cruise in the Kingdom (coming soon)

Pear Amandine 

Ballymaloe Festival of Food. A Highlight Once Again.

 Ballymaloe Festival of Food. A May Highlight Once Again.

I may have taken that missing canapé!

Delighted to take up an invite to attend the launch event of the just concluded Ballymaloe Festival of Food. The informal event was haled in the Walled Garden Marquee to celebrate the start of a weekend to remember. 

Boatyard Martinis and Ballymaloe canapés were served to kick off. Plenty of other drink alternatives including wine and also that excellent Fierce Mild non-alcoholic beer. No speeches but conversations galore as the weekend buzz stepped up a gear or two. Those canapés, quite a variety of them, were delicious, as you’d expect here!

Cahors, in the south-west of France, is the original home of the Malbec grape, a grape now much associated with South America.  Jules Verhaeghe and Aurore Del Vitto, of Château du Cedre ((Cahors) were in the Drinks Theatre on the opening night of the 2026 Ballymaloe Festival of Food. Their talk and taste showed that their award winning winery can produce Malbec as good as any.

Pascal Rossignol kept the conversation flowing while Colm McCan (the wine teacher at Ballymaloe Cookery School ) and his wife Aoife were busy serving the various samples.

We started with the winery’s Chardonnay (2024) and that certainly impressed as did the Malbec (2023)  that soon followed. Off to a good start and more Malbecs were presented. The Extra-Libre, the sulfur-free Malbec from the Verhaeghe brothers, “A pure expression of Malbec,” says Pascal, “..proves the versatility of this grape variety, showing up with juiciness and high drinkability”.

Then we finished on a delicious note. Again is was a Malbec but a sweet one, great to pair with blue cheese said Aurore. Cahors and Cashel? Sounds good as well! Don’t think I’ve ever had a sweet Malbec previously!

Aurore and Jules

All grapes at Chateau de Cedre are grown organically, biodynamically, sustainably, and there is minimal intervention in the wine making process, with natural filtration and a small amount of sulfites added at bottling. 

Colm and Aoife run the weekend pop-up wine shop in the Grainstore at Ballymaloe and they run the Drinks Theatre events at Ballymaloe which hosts wine and drinks events throughout the year.

We had time as well to wander around the many food stalls in the Big Shed where a demonstration on how to handle gin was in full swing. We were glad to see Ballycotton based Andrea had a stand here. You don’t see many gooseberry jams around nowadays and Andrea’s Kitchen  makes one of the best. We stocked up. 

No shortage of variety as this amazing Festival.

Andrea talking to a visitor

A Welcome Warming Lunch at the Mill Food Truck in Blarney

A Welcome Warming Lunch at 

the Mill Food Truck in Blarney 

Korean Chicken Fries

After an energetic walk around the grounds of Blarney Castle, we were in the need of some warming food. We had intended to eat outdoors (there is another smaller café just inside the entrance) at the Coach House Café alongside the castle but the heavy showers ruled that out.

Here, they serve a variety of hot dishes, including an Irish Stew, soups, scones and sweet treats, some pre-made sandwiches and tea and coffee and they also have seats indoors.

The Coach House in Blarney Castle.

We headed on foot across the road to the Blarney Woollen Mils to check what was on offer there food wise. We knew they serve meals in Christy’s Bar and Grill and in the hotel’s Mill Restaurant, both very busy with busloads of visitors around. 

But it was a surprise to us to see the Mill Food Truck set up in a large fairly well covered outdoor area (see it here) at the front of the restaurant. Not too many there as we arrived but is was almost full when we departed 30 or 40 minutes later.

Pork and Fries

The truck is on duty daily from 12pm until 8.00pm and has quite a choice including Burgers, Fish, Chicken, a variety of fries (including Taco and Curry Cheese versions). And a short Kids Menu. All their beef is Irish.

With a bunch of crows watching hungrily from the side, we tucked into our dishes, each well priced at €9.95. There was a little dog there also, relaxing in a seat as his “master” enjoyed his food.

One of our picks was BBQ pulled pork fries. The pork along with Texas Bourbon BBQ sauce, Ruby Slaw and crispy fried onions was loaded on to a base of chips. The carton was packed to the top and it was a much bigger meal than expected, quite good too.

Our other choice was the Korean Chicken Fries. Buttermilk Fried Chicken Strips in a Spicy Korean Style Sauce, Toasted Peanuts and Cashews, Fresh Coriander, Pickled Red Onions and Sesame seeds were loaded into the carton. Took some eating, much more than the light lunch we had intended to find, but very enjoyable indeed.

Looking forward to meeting this quintet

When you enter, approach the truck, check the menu, make you choices, pay up and take the little “alarm” back to your table and you’ll soon hear it go off. Servers are very friendly and helpful.

A dog and his man!

We then had a quick look at the shop in the Mills itself, at least the part that sells spirits and beers (including the brews by Blarney Brewing). Great to see local producers supported in this way and the same continued in the whiskey section with the likes of Clonakilty, Teeling's, Midleton and West Cork featured. Treated myself to a five-pack of the West Cork Single Malt (50 ml), all different cask finishes.

* Amazing how many opportunities there are these days for “grab and go food”. On the following day in town we were on the lookout for something ready-for-lunch and found it at the Urban Pantry in Tesco Paul Street, a very tasty Lobster Roll by Ballycotton's Trawler Boyz. 

For dessert later on, the pick was the Tres Leches Cake by La Latina (familiar to those of you that frequent Douglas Famers Market). The dessert is just the job if you have a super-sweet tooth! Good to see the products of Timoleague’s Ummera Smoke House here and we bought one of their fabulous Smoked Chickens for the freezer.

Passed Blarney House on our walk. It opens for tours in peak season.

Going with the green at Blarney Castle Gardens

Going with the green at Blarney Castle Gardens.

Pictures: 13.05.2026

Down by the river

Judas Tree

Gunnera Manicata, also below

By the river

Bluebells

Blarney House

Blarney ablaze with colour these May days.

Pictures: 05.05.2026

Rampant ramsons

In the fern garden

A walk through the flowering shrubs

Wild garlic in the Fern Garden

A carnival of many shrubs in flower with a delightful duo of bluebells and wild garlic light up Blarney Castle Gardens

pics: 28.04.2026

Queue for the Blarney Stone!

Tulip Time at Blarney Castle 

Tulips coming on strong these days at Blarney and the display should last for a week or two more.

Amazing how quickly the magnificent cherry blossom

of just over a week ago has almost totally vanished.

Not too far away though the rhododendron offer vibrant pink

in the Himalayan Valley have some time still left

to show off! See the current display on this 27 second video.

 

The vibrant blossoms of
 rhododendron on the Himalayan walk.

*******************************

Cherry Blossom Time At Blarney Castle Gardens

Visit: 27.03.2026 

Blossom all around you as you walk towards the garden

 Prunus Shirotae close to the entrance

First days out for the cattle.
At least, the first time I saw them.

First flowers on the wild garlic.

In the Himalayan section, a hint of what's to come

Cyclamen, with is distinctive leaf pattern.

River, blossom and castle.

Time for a rest!

*******************************

Magnolia, you sweet thing...

Blarney Castle Gardens 

Pics: 20.03.2026

American (Yellow) Skunk-cabbage

Tearoom or temple?

Blarney House

Above, the Fern Trees Garden

On the boardwalk

Daffodils galore

Prunus Shirotae, just inside the entrance.

*******************************

Wishing Steps and Daffodils at Blarney Castle Gardens

11.03.2026 

Short videos of the Wishing Steps (remember you must walk backwards to have your wish granted!)

******************************* 

More signs of Spring at Blarney Castle Gardens

Pictures 3rd March 2026

Castle, river, and Ester Barrett's St Hubert's Stag

Blarney House, opens to the public for a few weeks at the peak of the season

Castle, its tall watchtower and river.

Castle and Ester Barrett's Catch

Castle and its tall watch tower.

Castle, crocuses

Crocuses

Cut branches are used to make this fence.

Morning sunshine highlights moss on the branches.

*******************************

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

*******************************

Blarney Castle Gardens, a stroll on a February Saturday

Pics taken 07.02.2026

Mega Flower by Lynda Christian
Enamel decorated recycled metal

Teazel

Eternal Ascent by Blessing Sanyanga
Kilkenny Black Marble and stainless steel

Lost in the woods

Fern Tree Garden (above and below)

*******************************

Sunshine walk at Blarney Castle Gardens

Sunday Feb 1st 2026

Copse under a blue sky

Snowdrops

Blarney Lake viewing point

Daffodil road

Horse rests in the morning sun

On the lake, reeds in blue water.

Blarney House (south face)

*******************************

Crocus and Snowdrop. Blarney Gardens.

31st January 2026

*******************************

Photos from 19.01.2026

New viewing point at lake.