The English Market was buzzing last evening as Rory McCann’s new firm LocalMarkets.ie launched. The new firm, where the other principals are Peter Dowdall and Niamh Dixon, offers a collection and delivery service, collecting from local markets and artisan producers and delivering to customers from Crosshaven to Rathcormac (and maybe beyond that in the future).
Rory and Peter spoke at the opening as did the Lord Mayor Michael O’Connell and local politicians Billy Kelleher and Simon Coveney. But before that, some serious sampling had been done.
The two wines stands (Bubble Brothers and The Wine Buff) provided the lubrication as we made a start with Kate O’Connell’s Fish where sushi and oysters were available. Then on to some smoked salmon from the Old Millbank in Buttevant and spiced beef courtesy of Durcan’s.
There were other little nibbles available on trays before we made the big move upstairs where we started with a gorgeous paté from Barrie Tyner, all served on the famous Arbutus Bread who were represented by founder Declan Ryan.
Great to meet tweet pal Dee’s Wholefoods and after a bite or two there sampled the BadBoy Sauces of Jennylynd James who offered various degrees of Caribbean heat. This was all taking place in the upstairs premises of the Farmgate Cafée and the “home team” served a generous portion of a lovely chicken curry.
A portion of top notch fish pie from Cronin’s Pub/Mad Fish Restaurant of Crosshaven followed before sampling the scrumptious organic fruits of Macroom’s Organic Republic – just loved the fig and date. Then some relish from Breheny’s Bellish for the Wicklow Brie on the next stand.
Also a visit to Taste a Memory before ending the upstairs feeding with some terrine and paté from On the Pig’s Back where Isobel Sheridan was in smiling attendance.
Time now for something sweet and, downstairs, there was no shortage. Midleton’s Bitesize had some beautiful mouthfuls in mini-glasses and the macaroons from Christine Girault of the Sugar Café were irresistible. And another star here was the cheesecake by Glenilen Farms – must admit I didn't stop at one piece here!.
Something to take home? Why, of course. Clonakilty’s Mella McAuley was on hand at this point, handing out little bags of her gorgeous butter fudge.
A feast on the move. A terrific display from LocalMarkets.ie and the local producers. What a night.
Now, it is another day and Managing Director Rory and his partners are getting down to work. Hope it goes well folks, not just today, not just for this week, but for many years to come.
LocalMarkets.ie, The Rubicon Centre, CIT Campus, Bishopstown
087 9151767
- I know I’ve missed on some stands in this post – hard to get to see everyone. Feel free to get in touch at cork.billy@gmail.com
Click on collage to enlarge 
2 comments:
It sounds like it was a great night Billy!
I'm looking forward to trying out localmarkets myself, just as soon as I can choose what to get.
Brilliant evening. I know it can be hard to choose but you better get cracking as the choice will soon be even bigger!
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