Coyles, Clifden's New Gem,
offering good food and coffee
The news spread like wildfire through Clifden: Alice Coyle, the mastermind behind the popular Cork Fab Food Trail, was opening a food and coffee shop on her native ground! We all knew Alice for her incredible food design skills, having designed the stunning
Maki Sushi in Cork's English Market. Alice had set up (in 2021) and then ran the local NeighbourFood in Clifden. But with that ending, her new venture, Coyles, promised a treasure trove of local produce, and I couldn't wait to see it for myself. |
| Visiting Coyles on July 3rd 2024. |
Finding the perfect location took time, but when a space opened up right in the town centre (shared with the Post Office!), Alice dived right in. The grand opening was scheduled for the end of May, and the anticipation was electric.
Opening day arrived, and everyone was eager to step inside. There was a slight hitch, though – a mishap with their fancy coffee grinder! As Alice recounted later, the grinder malfunctioned just as they were about to open. "Coffee beans went flying everywhere!" she laughed. But true to Alice's spirit, they tackled the problem head-on, and despite the initial chaos, the opening was quite a success.
Even without a name sign yet (they got one soon later), the shop was a sight to behold. The aroma of freshly brewed Oughterard Calendar coffee filled the air, and shelves were gradually filling with the best Connemara had to offer: sourdough bread, melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon swirls, delicate macarons, sunshine-bright lemon meringue tarts, rich brownies, and a delivery of fresh vegetables. On their Instagram, Alice promised an ever-growing selection, highlighting the abundance of talented food producers in the area. This was just the beginning, she assured us.
The following weeks were a whirlwind of activity. By June 4th, Aonghus Costello from @angarraiglas, another local champion of sustainable food, started supplying Coyles with a vibrant selection of plants, vegetables, salads, and seedlings. Alice's excitement was palpable in her social media posts, where she'd announce the arrival of new goodies – from baby lettuces and beetroot to rocket, chard, and fresh tomatoes.
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| For planting at home! |
By June 7th, Coyles had officially hit its one-week mark. "We made it!" Alice declared. It turned out, Clifden folks had a serious sweet tooth and a deep appreciation for good coffee (who could blame them?). A big shout-out went to the brilliant local bakers – Laura O'Donovan of @so_doh_sourdough_renvyle, the talented folks behind @offthebeatentruckcafe (Laura Hayden) and Phoebe of @phoebesconnemara – and of course, the amazing Calendar Coffee for keeping everyone fueled. Alice also expressed her gratitude to customers who chose to shop small and support local producers.
Mid-June saw the arrival of a gleaming new freezer, and with it came the exciting addition of Connemara lamb and Dexter beef from John O'Toole of @freaghillaunislandorganicfarm. Alice was particularly thrilled to be John's main outlet in Connemara. "John's passion for his food, both on the farm and in the kitchen (he's a chef at Kylemore Abbey!), is truly inspiring," she remarked.
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| Temptation |
The last week of June brought another delightful surprise: a collaboration with local chef, grower, and maker Phillipa Duff of @theseahare.ie fame as she began supplying a selection of her mouthwatering sandwiches. Alice herself had the pleasure of trying the pulled pork with ginger slaw, pickled onions, and gochujang mayo on sourdough focaccia – "an absolute revelation!"
As June drew to a close, Calendar Coffee remained a top seller, and July 8th unveiled yet another exciting offering: Lions Mane and Tree Oyster mushrooms from a local grower and chef named Egon Heinze. Egon used to sell foraged foods through NeighbourFood Clifden, and now he was venturing into the world of mushrooms. "Get ready for all sorts of weird and wonderful fungi!" Alice announced.
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| Oyster Mushrooms |
With every passing week, Coyle's is establishing itself as a central hub for exceptional local produce. The future looks bright, and customers can't wait to see what other delicious discoveries await them in the coming months.
Also on this trip:
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