DESIGN POP LINE-UP ANNOUNCEMENT

DESIGN POP LINE-UP ANNOUNCEMENT

Jonathan Leahy Maharaj

 

Seven pavilions featuring collaborators Maser, Currabinny Foods, CCAE, Ballymaloe, PlayNice Studio, The River Lee + many more,

PLUS over 15 outdoor events at Wandesford Quay  

 

Happening across Cork city - on the ground and online

27th - 29th August 2021

www.designpop.ie

 

 

Cork city’s architecture, design and food festival, Design POP, is set to return to the streets of Cork and online this August 27th - 29th. Enjoy architecture, food, and design through a series of architectural pavilions, events, talks, exhibitions, and conversations.

 

This year’s programme is its biggest yet – the festival has already announced seven architect, designer and food collaborations working on seven different outdoor pavilions which will be situated in different locations around Cork city: Mark Horgan and River Club Bar at The River Lee Hotel; Play Nice studio and Currabinny at Wandesford Quay; Cook Architects and Ballymaloe foods at Elizabeth Fort; Alan Macilwraith of JCA Architects and Good Day Deli at Nano Nagle Place; Maser and Crawford Gallery Café at Emmett Place; Wilson Architects and Naturally Nourished at Penrose Dock; CCAE and Blackrock Castle Observatory at Blackrock Castle.

(Full details on the pavilions can be found here: https://www.designpop.ie/pavilions )

 

Design POP will also host over 15 events at the outdoor festival HQ – The Courtyard at Cork Printmakers, Lavitt Gallery, and Backwater Studio on Wandesford Quay:

 

Friday

The festival opens with three events: talks by Kari Cahill, The Project Twins, and Director of The Lewis Glucksman Gallery Fiona Kearney (supported by Cork Chamber of Commerce).

 

The Project Twins - Michael Fitzgerald

Saturday

-   Panel discussion “Plating Up with Local Produce - Telling A Story with Food Through Photography & Styling” with Brid O’ Donovan, James Kavanagh and OHK

-   THE BIG IDEA with Kim Mackenzie-Doyle, Jonathan Leahy Maharaj, Eugene Canavan and Amy McKeogh.

- Panel discussion "The Launch- Launching a new brand and the creative process behind it”, with Ernest Cantillon (Kinsale Gin and Red Earl Whiskey), Tony Speight (WCC Roastery) and Laura Edgerton

- A talk hosted by Studio Anois

- “In conversation with Toonsbridge Dairy and The Real Olive Company” with Jenny-Rose Clarke (Toonsbridge) and Kate Ryan (Flavour)

-  “In conversation with Ardú and MASER” (supported by Pat McDonnell paints.)

-   RIAI + DESIGN POP present Alastair Hall from Hall McKnight Architects, Sandra O’Connell (RIAI) and Tony Duggan (Cork City Council) in Cork Centre for Architectural Education

 

Sunday

-   Panel discussion “Interior design - Design and creativity how it impacts our everyday lives”, with Kate O’Neill (The Visual Loop), Niamh McCabe (Nimcake) and Cathy Angelini (Cathy Flamingo)

- Panel discussion “Diversifying - The Power and Importance of Diversifying your Brand” with Declan O’Flynn (O’Flynn’s Sausages), Tim Stone (Popsicle) and Laura Edgerton (supported by Local Enterprise Office Cork City)

-   Panel Discussion "The Impact Creativity Has On Our Lives- What Creativity Means to You and Everyone Else”, with Simon Roche (HMH/ Bureau), artist Shane O’Driscoll and Jimmy Rennick (Design Partners)

- Architect at the Edge presents: "Rural + Urban Architecture; How Covid-19 has

Impacted How We Live” with Frank Monahon (AATE), Alan Macilwraith (JCA) and Rae Moore (Atelier Rae).

-Closing Event: Behind the Pavilions with all the architects, designers, and food producers for a conversation about creating their pavilion.

  EXHIBITIONS:

 

Design Pop’s annual ‘Milking Stool’ exhibition returns, sponsored by Abbey Woods. This exhibition, happening at Nano Nagle Place, is a celebration and showcase of the diverse talent of furniture designers throughout Ireland. By challenging each designer to embody their unique design style through the medium of the humble milking stool. This is a unique opportunity to create a modern reinterpretation of this traditional form.

The furniture pieces will be sold through the Design POP website, allowing members of the public and visitors to the exhibition to purchase a stool over the duration of the festival.

 

RIAI along with Cork City Council will present an exhibition of some of the architecture competition entries for the Bishop Lucey Park redesign. There will be a panel discussion between Cork City Architect Tony Duggan, Sandra O’Connell Director of Architecture and Communications at the RIAI, and the winners of the competition Hall McKnight Architects.

 

Tickets are now on sale for all events, early booking is advised due to limited capacity allowing for social distancing. For full details visit www.designpop.ie

 

Design POP is made possible with generous support from Cork City Council and LEO Cork City.

 

www.designpop.ie

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Something different from Alsace and Verona, both wines highly recommended.

Something different from Alsace and Verona, both wines highly recommended.

Vino Nato Disobbediente Monte Dall’Ora 2019 11.5% 

€24.45 (litre bottle) 64 Wine Dublin, Bradley’s of Cork, Greenman Dublin, Le Caveau Kilkenny

This blend, of pergola-trained 60% Corvinone & 40% Molinara, from the hills outside of Verona (think Valpolicella), has a quite light ruby red colour. Corvinone has been previously thought to be of the same group as Corvina but 1993 DNA profiling suggests that it is its own unique varietal.

Aromas here are both floral and fruity (strawberry, raspberry, cherry). The taste is along similar lines, relatively intense. On the palate also, you will find a lively acidity before a dry finish. A very pleasant wine indeed and Highly Recommended. It is a certified organic wine, clean and classy.

Not very much info on the “redacted” label, not even a vintage date! Pretty certain it is 2019 though and that is what is on my invoice. The wine’s name, Vino Nato Disobbediente, means Wine Born Disobedient. 

Two other words that survive on the front are resistente and contadino which Google translates as Hardy Farmer! And there’s a bit of sense to that as this type of wine, light and red (that can also take a little chilling), is made by the farmers for their own family use. And, another thing, it comes in a litre bottle. “A litre of pure joy!” According to importers Le Caveau; I willingly agree with that assessment.

The Venturinis, Alessandra and Carlo, have emphasized traditional and native grape varieties wherever possible to give originality and typicality. All the wines are blends of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara and Oseleta. Fermentation is spontaneous with indigenous yeasts and extraction is gentle giving wines of gentle, cherry-fruited elegance.

Christian Binner, Côtes d’AmourSchwir Alsace (AOP) 2013, 13.5% 

€28.95 (was 33.50) 64 Wine Dublin, Bradley’s of Cork, Greenman Dublin, Le Caveau Kilkenny

This light, fruity and fresh blend of white grapes from the Alsace is a traditional selection of mainly Riesling and Pinot Gris with lesser inputs via Gewuztraminer, Muscat and Auxerrois blanc.

Colour is orange-y. It is an intensely aromatic wine, lots of fruit and floral notes also. No shortage of fruit either on the palate, “a fruit basket of apples, oranges, poached pears and grapes” according to importers Le Caveau. Balance is attained though. It finishes long and dry. If you do like to stray off the usual piste, this is well worth a try. Highly Recommended. 

Serve at less than 14 degrees; grilled fish is an excellent match.

Harvest is manual, all grapes pressed together, fermented with indigenous yeast. It is a medium body structured wine. Zero sulfur added, unfined, unfiltered, so you may see a little sediment as I did.

Côtes d’Amourschwir is a selection from the best vineyards on the Cotes d’Ammerschwir. It is a blend of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewuztraminer, Muscat and Auxerrois. The grapes are blended from the press, fermentation takes place is large oak foudre that are over 100 years old.

The Binner family has owned vines in Alsace since 1770 and today they practice organic and biodynamic agriculture, neither fine nor filter the wine, use only natural yeasts, use minimal sulphur, etc... All the wines are aged in 100 year old big foudres and undergo malolactic fermentation. 

Jacques and the outdoor city. Dining out on the banks of the Lee.

 Jacques and the outdoor city. Dining out on the banks of the Lee. 

A delicious meal in Jacques last Thursday, was book-ended by a two-part walk around part of the city as Corkonians packed the many outdoor dining spaces that have sprung up in recent weeks.

Started by Thompsons in MacCurtain Street, then Isaacs. Greenes and Cask have their own “outdoor space” and that too was busy. The Metropole had a shaded, almost hidden, line of tables. The Shelbourne Bar has always had a lively outdoor area and that is now slightly enlarged. And so it continues on both sides of the street, most notably Son of a Bun. No such joy though for Bridge Street, with Da Mirco and others frustrated and hoping for an early resumption of indoor dining.

Sliced gets the evening sun on Parnell Place

The Patrick Street space outside Le Chateau was packed. And then came the tight squeeze of Carey’s Lane where you had to watch your step while willingly giving the servers the right of way as they sought the clear path between the many tables from many restaurants and cafes. Harmony reigned in the tight spaces, no dissonant exchanges, just the soft jovial buzz of young and old enjoying the outdoors city. 

Rory Gallagher Square was similarly abuzz with diners and drinkers and busy too was very narrow French Church Street though the likes of Cafe Mexicana is temporarily shuttered.

Leaving aside, for this time, the busy Cornmarket Street, Washington Street, Popes Quay, so many other side streets and squares, we headed across Patrick Street to Princes Street which the whole world knows by now is the epicentre of outdoor dining in the city, certainly the best-covered of the streets. Now we were heading for Jacques on Oliver Plunkett Street and noticed quite a few pubs had seats out and those seats full.

Crab. And Bushbys

Had a quick look at Pembroke Street and that was busy too. Our destination was Phoenix Street and the original front entrance of Jacques and here we got a big and warm welcome from co-owners and co-founders Eithne and sister Jacque. Soon we were seated and studying the menu. You may also enter from the Oliver Plunkett Street door where Jacques have more outside tables.

And then a little coincidence. Hours earlier, Facebook showed me a memory from the same date (15th July) in 2017, of a crab and strawberry starter at Jacques. And yes, Crab and Strawberry featured again. The details: Fresh Castletownbere Crab Salad, Mixed Leaves, Bushby Strawberries and Mint (14.90).  Couldn’t resist going for this rather substantial starter again and was well satisfied with a super combination of tastes, textures and flavours. Lots of nibbles and small plates here, including Rossmore Oysters.

More Bushbys!

Lobster featured on the mains. Tempted by that for sure but since we had enjoyed it (as take-out) recently and also because I had been on a run of fish dishes, I decided to go with the lamb. I liked the description: Rump of Lamb Greek style (pink) in a crust of small seeds, green beans, tomato, olives, Ardsallagh Goats Cheese, and Crispy potatoes (28.00). I’ve been very happy indeed with some of my recent fish dishes and glad to report that the Jacques lamb was in that top class bracket as well, indeed one of the best lamb dishes I’ve come across in a long time. Very Highly Recommended.

I’ve also been delighted with recent desserts and that trend continued too at Jacques. Well, there’s never any hesitation if you read Bushbys on the menu: Bushby Strawberries, Vanilla ice-cream and honeycomb (7.50). Superb. Those Bushbys are the best and brought a lovely meal in the urban outdoors to a sweet conclusion!

The outdoor "dining room" of Princes Street

As it happened, our Jacques table was directly opposite the space between Crane Lane and Arthur Mayne and I got a close up of that well-weathered timber door and the old brick steps that lead into that space (an long-standing sheltered, outdoor alley that has long been used for dining and drinking). That doorway by the way is now used as exit only and, in fairness, every customer that I saw approach read the notice and went back to enter via the Pembroke Street door of Arthur Maynes. Both places are under the Cork Heritage pubs umbrella and also had tables on Phoenix Street.

The sturdy door and brickwork at Crane Lane/Arthur Maynes

The sun was still strong as we two happy customers left our Jacques table and headed for a stroll and a look at Oliver Plunkett Street diners, lots of them, especially at the junction of the street with Caroline Street, many people enjoying the offerings of Jacques, the Oliver Plunkett itself, Cafe 115 and the Old Oak. And then another smaller concentration of diners outside the doors of Goldie, Elbow Lane and their mothership Market Lane. And a glance up Maylor Street revealed even more outdoor tables and diners!

Keep on keeping on. Hands mural at Harley's Street

We crossed the Mary Elmes bridge (lots of plastic bottles on the deck by the seating - didn’t spot any bin) to Patrick’s Quay. I had heard about the Harley’s Street market but didn’t expect it to be open in the evening. But open it was and busy too as customers lined up for smaller bites plus coffees from the likes of Taco Rebel, Bevs and Brews, and BBQ pop-up Bird Song and others.

Our stroll around was now coming to an end as we crossed MacCurtain Street and headed for the hills!

Leeside

The Long Pergola of Roses in Bloom at Blarney Castle Grounds.

Blarney Castle Grounds.

 Roses in Bloom.

Photos July 13th 2021.

Cardoon, a close relative of the Artichoke

Busy bee

Unusual hive, lots of activity visible, not so much in pic.

More busy bees here

A Brown Butterfly, one of a four together.

Fern Tree Garden

In full bloom

Foxglove

Cactus

Montbretia

Sweetpea

Tiger Lily

For a guided tour of the pergola of roses, check out this excellent video by Castle gardeners Adam and Olivia here.

Taste of the Week. On The Double. Ballyhoura Mountain Mushrooms: Garlic Scape Pesto & Wild Irish Samphire

Taste of the Week.

Samphire

Ballyhoura Mountain Mushrooms' Garlic Scape Pesto

Ballyhoura Mountain Mushrooms' Irish Marsh Samphire

Always worth taking a punt on Ballyhoura Mountain Mushrooms, even when it's not a mushroom on offer. These two terrific recent examples are very highly recommended indeed.

First up is their seasonal Garlic Scape Pesto produced with "Ireland's finest garlic scapes" that they source from @westcorkgarlic. The scape is the long flower stem from bulb garlic. We bought a little jar through Neighbourfood and the flavour packed in there is amazing, really gets those taste buds up and running. We tried it in a ham and salad sandwich on the local Arbutus sourdough. Leaves and onions from the garden, the ham from Supervalu's signature range plus this superb pesto.

Garlic scapes. WikimediaImages via Pixabay 

Look out for the pesto on your local Neighbourfood or at markets where Ballyhoura trade such as the Milk Market and Mahon Point. They are very happy with it themselves: "a Garlic Pesto more akin to a tapenade made with Ireland's Finest Garlic Scapes".

The Irish Marsh Samphire is another seasonal gem - no air miles attached - and again I bought a box of it via Neighbourfood. Ballyhoura say: Delicious salty and succulent seasonal Wild Irish Samphire aka sea asparagus. Delicious with any fish dish, mushrooms, potatoes, or simply sautéed in butter."

Tried it with a nice piece of salmon and new potatoes, butter and not a whole pile more. Superb. There's certainly a salty tang from it but there is something clean and fresh about it, not as sharp as your normal salt. Another local product well worth a try!

Ballyhoura Mountain Mushrooms

Conrad Dublin Invites You To Shop, Stay And Stroll This Summer

 CONRAD DUBLIN INVITES YOU TO

Shop, Stay and Stroll this Summer

 

 Stay in style at Conrad Dublin this summer and experience their gorgeous new packages, especially created with luxury in mind.

Conrad Dublin has just launched a choice of three overnight packages available from €269 per night (two adults sharing).   For those aching for some retail therapy or wanting to experience the annual summer sales, then the Conrad Dublin Shopping Retreat escape will certainly appeal. This ultimate overnight shopping experience includes a personal shopping collection service from Brown Thomas Department Store or from your favourite Grafton Street shop. Guests will also be treated to luxury facial masks with champagne and strawberries to enjoy in the comfort of their room post shopping excursion.   Guests will savour a leisurely breakfast the following morning, early check-in, late check-out plus complimentary overnight onsite car parking.

Conrad Dublin’s Special Moments package will interest all who have missed the many milestone moments during lockdown.  Stay with a loved one and celebrate your most special moments with a decadent overnight stay enjoying champagne cocktails and dinner for two at The Terrace, plus delicious breakfast the following morning.  The package also offers early check-in, late check-out plus complimentary overnight onsite car parking. 

Conrad Dublin is an ideal breakaway location for couples looking for a romantic night away, friends looking to reconnect and for families too, it offers spacious interconnecting accommodation each with a 48-inch TV, free Wi-Fi, welcome room amenities and super kid friendly menus.  Treat the kids to some style and culture and book Conrad Dublin’s Junior Package from €449 with large interconnecting King and Twin bedrooms affording you the luxury of space as a family and includes all the essential comforts of home, a cosy sanctuary after a busy day seeing the sights. 

The VIK’s (very important kids) will be greeted upon check-in with a personalised Conrad Dublin passport and staying in bedroom heaven, sleeping on especially pre-selected children bed linens (The White Company Linen, in a choice of blue or pink), with their own personal in-room tee-pee play area and a fabulous OMY (recycled and sustainable products) giant colouring poster with felt pens to occupy a few hours whilst mum and dad grab some precious moments together.  

After exploring Dublin city, families can retire to the comfort of their rooms with a turndown treat of cookies & milk plus a gorgeous bedtime story from a selection by acclaimed children’s picturebook illustrator Chris Haughton for the children. For Conrad Dublin’s smallest guests, cots are available upon request, as well as a baby bathtub and bottle warmer.  Awaken refreshed, and energised and enjoy a delicious family breakfast before departure.

Dublin has lots to offer families, and with nearby cultural attractions including MoLI (Museum of Literature Ireland) where you can catch the Chris Haughton exhibition, a lovely opportunity for children to 'walk through' Haughton’s classic story A Bit Lost, while collecting souvenir animals along the way. And don't worry, there are lots of interesting moments for grown-ups too!   

At the National Gallery of Ireland, the entire family can explore the city’s rich treasures.  Dublin Zoo and Airfield Estate are also popular venues for visiting families, and the concierge team at Conrad Dublin will be at-hand to guide families ensuring they maximise their time and have lots of fun too.   The package also offers breakfast for the family, early check-in, late check-out plus complimentary overnight onsite car parking. Package rate is based on a family of 4 (2 adults and two children under 12 years).

For those looking to workout during their stay, hotel guests also have access to the hotel gymnasium and also are in easy reach of Dublin’s green spaces including the gorgeous Iveagh Gardens and iconic St. Stephen’s Green. 

Last year, Conrad Dublin launched a brand-new concept – The Terrace Kitchen & Social House complementing the popular Pantry & Café.  The heated outdoor terrace is an amazing spot to enjoy the views of the newly renovated piazza on Earlsfort Terrace and neighbouring National Concert Hall, where you can sit, sip and dine whilst watching the world pass by.  

Conrad Dublin operates under strict Covid-19 policies and procedures https://www.hilton.com/en/corporate/cleanstay/

Press Release

From Dingle to Kenmare in the Kingdom. Highlights galore on Kerry coastal drive.

From Dingle to Kenmare in the Kingdom.

Highlights galore on Kerry coastal drive.

The strand from high up on Clogher.

We got in of our favourite walks, Bray Head on Valentia Island. A brewery tour and terrific food at the Tom Crean Base Camp was another highlight. Lucky too in that we stayed at three lovely places, all helpful, especially Hannah at Muxnaw Lodge who drove us back into town for dinner when we asked for a taxi. The weather in Kenmare was wet but we had a magical night strolling around Dingle’s harbour after a massive feed at the Fish Box. And much more on a recent 3-night 4-day trip in Kerry.

Dingle boats

The drive down from Cork took us first to Tralee and a look at the impressive Tralee Bay Wetlands Eco & Activity Park. Lots of activity here for families, including pedal boats on the lake and a massive climbing wall for the adventurous. Had hoped to enjoy a lunch here but it wasn’t to be; all the café had to offer were over-sweetened waffles. Perhaps the menu will expand as the season goes on and as more visitors come. Our server did indicate that they hope to have sandwiches and salads (these already appear on the online menu).

Soon we were on the road to Dingle via the Conor Pass of course. Great views of Dingle from the parking area at the top and they get a little better if you climb up the hill alongside. A few minutes later we were in Dingle itself and heading for the coast. Both Ventry and Slea Head were packed so our first real stop was Clogher. Time for another walk to the top here and great 360 views that include the Blaskets and Sybil Head.

Fish Box on Green Street, Dingle

Craft Ale by Dick Mack

Enjoyed that interlude and we headed back to Dingle and to Bambury’s Guest-house, our base for the night. Enjoyed the welcome here and took it easy for a short spell before heading out looking for food. The Fish Box was our destination. It was first come first served. We didn't have to wait long for our table in one of their outside booths. Here they have some sixty covers. 

The owners, the Flannery family, have their own boat and the menu is mainly about fish. Quality is good but quantity is massive.  Ours,  The Fish Box and the Spice Box, came not on  plates but on trays. Quite a choice here but if you are going for one of the boxes you’d be advised to skip the starter. We didn’t! 

We saw pints coming in. The Fish Box is more or less next door to Dick Macks and you can enjoy the ale and the stout from the micro-brewery. And there’s also cider from Stonewell and a short wine list. After that, we strolled down to the water where the views and sounds of the sea and the many boats were enthralling. Great buzz there too with people hanging out, some going  canoeing and others returning from their boat trips.

Bray Head Walk

Glenbeigh mussels in the hotel

Next morning after a lovely breakfast from Bernie and her Bambury team, we were on the road again, this time heading for the Iveragh peninsula. First stop was the car park for Bray Head Walk at the southern end (Portmagee) of the island. There is a parking charge of two euro. We’ve had better days on this marvellous walk but even on a dull day it is enjoyable with views out towards the Skelligs, the cliffs and back towards Portmagee  and the bridge (on which my father worked) that links it to the island. I didn’t time it but I think the walk to the tower at the top and return takes something under 90 minutes, probably less if you’re under 70 and not taking so many photos!

Glenbeigh Hotel breakfast

Our base for the night was the old Glenbeigh Hotel with its own parking and large gardens. Though most of the meals are served in the old bar, a large one, they also have a beautifully decorated Garden Room where we enjoyed a really good breakfast. No surprise to us at that stage as the evening meal was quite splendid and featured some excellent fish dishes including their Seafood Mariniere for example, packed with fish (fresh salmon and white fish) and shellfish (mussels and prawns). There’s a very friendly and efficient team in place. The only downside was the hit and miss (mostly miss) WiFi.

We could see over the gardens to Rossbeigh beach from our window and we headed there after breakfast for a long walk. Back on the road then, heading for a stop at Waterville. Busy enough here with Micko Dwyer and Charlie Chaplin in their usual positions.

We had some early afternoon appointments in Kenmare so didn’t have as much time as usual to dally. The rain arrived in Kenmare at the same time as ourselves and kept getting worse until about seven in the evening by which time we had packed in a lot, including our visit to Tom Crean’s.

That started with a tour of the micro-brewery given by co-founder and brewer Bill Sheppard. Like his wife, Aileen Crean O’Brien (grand-daughter of the famous Antarctic explorer Tom), Bill is a get and go person. They now have a range of about eight beers and you can read all about them and the tour here. Bill's tour includes details on the beer and his method of brewing of course but he also details Tom Crean’s adventures there along with the tale of the trip that the family made to the region in 2016.

Breads in the morning at Muxnaw

 Aileen is the cook here, quite an accomplished one indeed. Watch out for her fish dishes. I reckon her Star Seafood Fish Pie is as good as you’ll get anywhere! And, of courses we had a few beers, including their lovely 6 Magpies Stout to go with the food.

After the tour, we had headed to nearby Muxnaw Lodge (WiFi didn’t function here either) in its lofty location overlooking the bridge. Here, we asked owner Hannah to phone a taxi for us to return for the meal. She wasn’t having any of it and drove us over herself! We really appreciated that very much indeed and the lovely breakfast the following morning.

Also on this trip: Tom Crean Base Camp Kenmare where you'll find a B&B, a micro-brewery and a restaurant. Eat, Drink and Sleep!