Ballymaloe Craft Fair is Back! TWO WEEKENDS this November

Ballymaloe Craft Fair is Back!

Artist Beata Dagiel

 

Christmas market goers and craft lovers delight as Ballymaloe Craft Fair makes a welcome return to Ballymaloe Grainstore for TWO WEEKENDS this November

 

It may seem a little early to mention Christmas, but it’s always the right time to start planning a visit to beautiful Ballymaloe in East Cork – especially with the announcement that the annual Ballymaloe Craft Fair is back!

 

Taking place this year across two weekends – Friday 19^th to Sunday 21^st November and Friday 26^th to Sunday 28^th November – the 2021 Craft Fair will see the fabulous Ballymaloe Grainstore transform into a magical market, with over 150 stalls showcasing and selling artisan products from Ireland’s finest food producers, artists, designers and craft brewers. The event, which is suitable for the whole family, will be open from 5-9pm each Friday evening, while there will be ample opportunity to browse and buy on Saturdays and Sundays, with the Craft Fair open from 10am to 5pm.

 

Following the cancellation of the 2020 event due to the pandemic, this year’s Fair is set to more than make up for lost time.

 

Often described by craft fair and Christmas market enthusiasts as a shopper’s paradise, the event will feature an abundance of crafty goods, such as textiles, glassware, sculpture, art pieces, woodwork, jewellery, leather goods and of course, a plentiful supply of stunning Christmas decorations. It provides the perfect opportunity to shop for locally made goods, supporting the ‘shop local’ mantra while picking up unique Christmas gifts for loved ones in the process. The majority of the stalls at this year’s Craft Fair will showcase crafts that have been made here in Ireland.

 

Much to the delight of avid foodies, Ballymaloe Craft Fair will once again feature a wide range of goods from artisan food producers, with everything from farmhouse cheeses to smoked fish, as well as a gourmet selection of delicious Ballymaloe accompaniments that will give the perfect finishing touches to any feast in the upcoming festive season.

 

Sallyann Marron from Sallyann’s handbags

Commenting on the return of Ballymaloe Craft Fair was Bree Allen of Ballymaloe Grainstore, who said: “Having had to cancel last year’s Craft Fair, and all of our other events for that matter, we are hugely excited to welcome everyone back to the Ballymaloe Craft Fair this year. We have a wonderful selection of suppliers and stall holders organised and we’ve decided to run it across two weekends, in a bid to cater for as many people as is safely possible. The Ballymaloe Craft Fair provides the perfect opportunity for people to locally source Christmas presents this year and with the variety of stalls set to be displayed, we’re certain that you won’t be disappointed!”

 

In an effort to give something back over the festive season, Ballymaloe Grainstore has partnered with St. Vincent de Paul South West region on their annual Car Draw fundraiser. The charity will be showcasing the car on the first weekend of the festival, while revellers can also support it across both weekends by purchasing a €5 raffle ticket at the majority of the stalls or on entry/exit to the event. All raffle ticket sales will go directly to St. Vincent de Paul to provide direct assistance to those in need, caring for the homeless, providing social housing, operating holiday homes and other social support activities, while promoting community self-sufficiency, enabling people to help themselves.

 

Visual Artist Aoife Banville with one of her light installations

The added bonus of the potential to win a car or a number of other high-ticket prizes is the cherry on top for those who support the draw.

 

Those who attend the first weekend, Friday 19th to Sunday 21st November, will be offered a return ticket at a discounted rate of €5 for the second weekend Friday 26th to Sunday 28th November, in case they wish to return and experience the delights of the Craft Fair all over again!

 

The Ballymaloe Craft Fair takes place in indoor, undercover and outdoor areas, making it a perfect day out for all the family. Free parking is available on site, while admission costs just €6, with free entry available to children under 12. With live craft demonstrations, children’s activities, countless stalls, hot food, mulled wine Ballymaloe cider, and live music, this is an event not to be missed.

 

If any Irish made crafts people would like to apply to have a stall, please contact bree@ballymaloe.com. To find out more about Ballymaloe Craft Fair, visit www.ballymaloefestivals.ie or call 021 4757200. To enquire about room rates and reservations at Ballymaloe House, visit www.ballymaloe.ie. Follow the conversation on Facebook @thegrainstore, Instagram @ballymaloe_grainstore, Twitter @thegrainstore.  

A Quart of Ale± #70. On the craft journey with a session of Galway Bay, White Hag, Hope and Dungarvan

 A Quart of Ale± #70

On the craft journey with a session of Galway Bay, White Hag, Hope and Dungarvan

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Galway Bay NZ Pils Motueka Dry Hopped Pilsner 4.9%, 440 can Bradleys

Safe to say, this Pilsner from Galway Bay has seen more hops than all the bunnies in the county. And the hop doing the business here is the Kiwi Motueka, an impressive performer in both bittering and aroma. I’ve been looking it up on Hoplist and it seems this was bred from Saaz and an unnamed New Zealand breeding strain and lends itself well to Lagers, Pilsners and Belgian Ales. It sure does a good one.

They say: “..a Motueka dry hopped Pilsner. Decoction mashed with Pilsner and spelt malt. Hopped in the boil and whirlpool with Motueka hops to 60IBU before a long cool fermentation with our favourite lager yeast. Then dry hop with more Motueka before packaging…a beautiful simple beer. A delicate lemon and grapefruit profile bolstered by a little bread crusts with a refreshingly crisp & bitter finish. Cheers! 

Colour is light gold, a slightly hazy one. Nice head but doesn’t hang about too long. Aromas are of the tropical and citrus variety and so too are the flavours. This is a Pilsner that starts well, carries itself well and finishes well. Another one to note from the prolific brewery in Oranmore.

White Hag Duo Series Idaho 7 & Citra Pale Ale 5.5%, 440 can CraftDirect

This White Hag ale has a pale gold cloudy colour with a fluffy white head that doesn’t rush away. Citrus and mango feature in the sweetish aromas. And that sweetness is evident too on the palate, tangerine the carrier here but don’t worry, there’s a decent balance at play in quite an impressive beer.

The brewers are also at play here: this Idaho 7 and Citra is first pair of hops used in the Duo Series. The second is El Dorado and Cascade which “has a grapefruit, tangerine and citrus aroma, with a smooth, slightly bitter zesty Grapefruit, Mango, and Citrus flavour. The Duo Series allows us to explore the best combinations of our favourite hops, in one beer, two per time”

They have a mixed case available: “the perfect ‘paint by hops’ mix and comes with 24 beers made up from 2 different styles. The styles in this box will allow you to explore the best combinations of our favourite hops.”

Hope Grunt Citrusy Wheat Beer 4.8%, 440 can

Light orange is the colour, slightly hazy but you can plainly see a myriad soft bubbles rising; soft white head stays a spell. Aromas are citrusy but you’ll also note some banana and juniper. Grunt is very refreshing though, straight from the bone-dry citrusy intro to the bitterness in the middle to the dry finish with a touch of juniper. It is a very pleasant beer, easy-drinking. 

They say: “ … citrusy and spicy ale inspired by Walloon farmhouse brewers that’s packed with flavour and refreshment.” And they also suggest some food pairings. Grunt is an excellent accompaniment to most food, in particular fish, to replace a traditional dry white wine, but also spicy food, where the strong flavours and refreshing quality of the beer can hold its own where a wine could not. It is also good with both strong cheese, and creamy cheese. EBU, the bitterness count, by the way, is 21.

And the name? If a Howth fisherman didn’t fancy going to sea after a heavy night’s drinking he would tie a pig to the ship’s mast. With it’s devil-like cloven feet, the sheer mention of the word pig was thought to bring forth gales and storms. Only a brave captain would set sail, unless he fancied a rasher sandwich!

Dungarvan Brewing Greenway Waterford Pale Ale 4.5%, 440 can Bradleys

A day out walking or cycling by the Waterford coast and this Greenway Pale Ale is your reward. Colour is tending towards amber, the hazy variety, perhaps there was a drift of fog out by Bunmahon. 

Anyways, we’re sitting down as the white head is creeping down. Citrus is strong in the aromas and indeed quite robust on the palate. A good sip though and refreshment immediately seeps across the mouth and soon the restorative effect spreads deeper. Just the job!

This is the most recently Dungarvan beer to be canned. They say: Celebrating the Waterford Greenway, we are delighted to announce the 2019 launch of our Greenway Waterford Pale Ale. First launched in the summer of 2018.., this refreshing beer has been generously hopped with Simcoe, Citra and Amarillo to give a lively citrus flavour which we think is the perfect restorative beer after a (long or short!) trek on our coastal route.

The Waterford Greenway opened in 2017 and is a 46km scenic coastal walking and cycling rail along the old railway line from Waterford to Dungarvan. Sandwiched between the Comeragh Mountains and the Copper Coast, it hosts unparalleled views and wonderful features such as the Durrow Tunnel, Ballyvoile Viaduct and Mount Congreve Gardens.

Barnabrow House Launches New Tea Rooms

Barnabrow House Launches New Tea Rooms 

The sun shone brightly as the guests gathered in front of a splendid Barnabrow House and owner/director Geraldine Kidd welcomed those coming to help her launch the new Tea Rooms.

The sun was something of a symbol for Geraldine and her team, as they emerged from the Covid induced restrictions. “Thanks for coming. I’ve been here a lot of the time…, trying to maintain the place.. it’s been difficult. The Tea Rooms, a combination of ideas from all the team here, will change all that and allow us welcome people in.”

Guests gather

The Lord Mayor Cllr Colm Kelleher had earlier cut the ribbon with a perfect snip and wished Geraldine and Barnabrow all the best with the venture as we sipped Prosecco or lemonade in the noonday sun.

Soon we were inside the beautiful high-ceilinged room that is the Tea Room, a really splendid venue. And in no time at all we were enjoying a sampling (tapas style) of what is usually on the menu. Geraldine also indicated that menu will change to reflect the “change in season”.

Stylish cut by the Lord Mayor as Geraldine looks on

Last Thursday it was Ham Hock Terrine, Egg Mayonnaise on Brioche, Salmon Rillette with pickled Cucumber, O’Connell’s Beef with pickled garden beetroot and horseradish cream and Arsallagh Goats’ Cheese with Organic Tomato Salsa from their walled garden. 

The desserts (see video above) were Raspberry Delice, Chocolate Marquise, Lemon Tart with Cream, Creme Anglaise custard tarts with summer berries, Carrot Cake,  Poppy Seed Cake and Scones with cream and homemade raspberry jam,  Homemade Chocolate Fudge and organically grown (in the garden) grape pastilles.

Savoury!

There is a new head chef here and Adrian Kazsinski got a strong round of applause when he was introduced to the gathering at the end. Adrian is well used to Barnabrow as he worked here with the previous chef, Stuart Bowes, for some ten years.

As you can gather, much of the produce is their own and they support local producers too. Geraldine: “We are using Drury’s coffee, roasted in Youghal.” Nick, the coffee roaster, was there on Thursday. The Tea Rooms opening hours are 12 noon to 4.00pm

And she has lots of plans for Barnabrow, for both the house and the grounds. “Over the Winter, we are planning to have Afternoon Tea every Saturday and hope to have small parties from less significant birthdays, to genteel Hen Parties  (we had one in the Summer that got dressed up on Downtown Abbey-style costumes) to poetry reading and perhaps small Christmas parties.”  

Geraldine with Donie O'Brien
of Eno Wines

"Next Summer we plan to have picnics, providing guests with a box of food and a blanket to find their own spot on the grounds.  We also will try to organise 'Teddy Bear Picnics’ and we hope to create walk ways around the grounds and up the hill to allow people to explore more and perhaps walk off the calories.  The Pygmy goats and the donkeys like to have visitors!” 

And there’s more, including a Santa Lunch. Stay up to date by checking their Facebook page here. 

What is the fuss about?

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Just to give you an idea of what you can get if you are in for lunch, I’ve listed items from the current menu below:

Soup of the Day €5.50

Ham Hock and Chicken Terrine with Spinach, Serrano Ham, Fig and Port Puree, Crystalized Nuts €9.50

Salmon Rillette on Brown Soda Bread, Sesame Pickled Cucumber €8.50

Ardsallagh Goat’s Cheese Brochetta, Tomato Salsa, Garden Herb Pesto €8.50

Spiced chicken Wrap with Roast Red Peppers, Sweetcorn, Cheddar €8

Roast Beef Sandwich with Horseradish Mayo, Pickled Beetroot, Forrest Mushrooms Dressing €8

Ham & Cheese Toasted Sandwich €5

See Tea Rooms video here 

Sweet Treats

Scones €3

Coconut and Poppy Seeds served with Mango Puree €5.50

Hazelnut Brownie €5.50

Carrot Cake €5.50

Lemon Drizzle Cake €5.50

Plum and Frangipane Tart €5.50

Lemon Tart €5.50

Chocolate Chip Cookies €2.50

Power Balls €2.50

All Homemade at Barnabrow House

Blarney Castle Gardens. September Sunshine.

 Blarney Castle Gardens 19th September 2021

Two of a family of six cygnets, being raised on the lake

A bee, hard at work in Fuchsia, above and below

Picnic tables, close to the entrance

Into the woods, a lane less travelled

Corner of road and herbaceous border

Fuchsia

At the base of a tree 

Elderberries

The sides of this road will be full of daffodils in the spring

Black Eyed Susans guide you towards the coffee shop

Kinsale Mead Co. wins Great Taste again!

 Kinsale Mead Co. wins Great Taste again!

Kinsale Mead Co storm into autumn with an impressive win. Their popular berry mead, Hazy Summer Mead, has just won a Great Taste Award 2021 to join their flagship traditional mead Atlantic Dry Mead which won 2 years ago.

“We’re delighted,” says co-founder, Denis Dempsey. “It’s been a tough time for everyone, and every acknowledgement from independent sources is a boost.”

The Great Taste Awards is one of the most trusted and prestigious awards for food and drink globally with thousands of entries, so it’s stiff competition. In summing up, the judges said, “The aroma was of rich ripe strawberries and honey, which was extremely enticing.”

“As a small, artisan company and the only meadery in Ireland, we are very proud to be able to say that Irish mead is recognised as being among the best in the world,” says co-founder, Kate Dempsey. “And we work hard to select the best, pure honey and berries to make our meads.”

The care and passion that Kinsale Mead bring to their drinks is richly rewarded by the evocative summer flavours and that thirst-quenching pour and that welcome Great Taste One-Star award. They are stocked in many Supervalus, as proud members of the Food Academy, as well as many independent off licence or specialty food store. Ask in your local store.

The medals are now displayed proudly in the meadery in Kinsale where you can see them when you visit for a tour and tasting.

Web: www.KinsaleMeadCo.ie for online orders and stockists

Email: info@KinsaleMeadCo.ie  

Phone: 021 477 3538

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram: @KinsaleMeadCo

press release

Hayfield Manor launches exclusive range of GROUND holistic rituals

 

Hayfield Manor launches exclusive range of GROUND holistic rituals

 

Handmade by founder Peigín Crowley in County Cork, GROUND is a collection of face balms and body oils that are 100% natural, giving nourishment while helping us to bring focus, ritual and intention into our mind and body. 

“I am beyond proud, partnering with Hayfield Manor is an absolute privilege,” says creative aromatherapist and GROUND founder, Peigín Crowley, “being proudly Cork - Hayfield Manor is simply iconic, we have celebrated many family gatherings at this luxury hotel and treasure it’s warm welcome & charm”. 

GROUND Rituals have been designed in collaboration with Rachel O’Malley, Hayfield Manor’s own award-winning therapist. During Lockdown, Peigin & Rachel created rituals together that celebrate the importance of taking space for sacred moments to mind yourself and be minded, to reconnect to source and replenish. Blending mindfulness — being fully present in our body with breathwork, the power of touch, and the potent aromatherapy oils, GROUND Rituals will invite this awareness while encouraging a relaxed and peaceful state, a return to self.

“So fortunate to have worked with the very brilliant Rachel O'Malley - veteran therapist (twice awarded Therapist of the Year by Irish Tatler no less) and Spa Supervisor at Hayfield Manor. COVID gifted us months together, crafting these GROUND Rituals - designing all that we love about the power of touch coupled with self-care woven into purposeful massage rituals” – Peigin Crowley

Hayfield Manor will be the first in Ireland to offer ‘The Balancing Ritual’ especially created to empower & support women through change, offering relief of Perimenopause & Menopause symptoms. “Designed with women in mind, this hands-on approach to wellbeing is truly holistic, using Breathwork, Cold Stone Massage Therapy, Gua Sha, Reflexology and Lymphatic Drainage - this unique and purposeful ritual will bring alignment and balance when going through this change and experiencing the symptoms of menopause at any stage” says Treatment Designer Rachel O’Malley.

Rachel O’Malley

There are six GROUND Rituals at Hayfield Manor — 

• The ‘tóg go bog é’ Full Body Massage (60 mins, €110), 
• The Grounding Ritual for Deep Relaxation (60 mins, €115 or 90 mins, €160), 
• The Restorative Ritual for the Face, Neck & Scalp (60 mins, €120), 
• The Comforting Ritual for Pregnancy (60 mins, €115 or 90 mins, €160)
• The Cleansing Ritual for Gut Harmony (60 mins €105
• The Balancing Ritual for Peri-menopause & Menopause (60 mins, €120 or 90 mins, €165),

Each GROUND Ritual includes gentle breathwork, hands-on rhythmical pressures and techniques, including Gua Sha stones, and the compelling powers of aromatherapy oils. All these elements combine to create a mindful moment in time customised for you — a moment to be truly present in your body as you lean into relaxation and peacefulness. 

Sicilian Duo by Donnafugata Shine in the Glass!

Sicilian Duo by Donnafugata Shine in the Glass!

Donnafugata `Sherazade` Nero d’Avola Sicilia (DOC) 2019, 13% 

RRP €23.99 64 Wine; Alain and Christine Wine and Card Shop; Avoca Handweavers Shops; Cashel Wine Cellar; Drink Store; Ely Wine Store; Fallon & Byrne; The Hen and Hog, Ashford Co. Wicklow; Jus de Vine; Mannings Emporium; McHughs Off Licence - Kilbarrack Rd; Red Island Wine Co; Searsons Wine Merchants; The Corkscrew; Thomas Woodberry’s; Whelehans Wines; wineonline.ie

A brilliant ruby is the colour of this Sherazade, produced from the Nero D’Avola grape, the red grape of Sicily. Aromas are fresh and fruity. And it is much the same combination on the palate. Much lighter than you’d expect and you can see why it is often recommended as an aperitif (slightly chilled). It tends more towards Pinot Noir and Gamay rather than Cabernet Sauvignon. Soft, with plum and cherry and smooth tannins and spicy fruit, this is a beauty, a fragrant and pleasant wine with outstanding freshness. Very Highly Recommended

The 2019 vintage began with a mild winter and a wet spring. The summer months were drier, the grapes were healthy and ripened well. Yields were lower than in the previous two years. Those excellent grapes promised much by way of aromatics and balance and that promise was delivered in the winery. 

Donnafugata suggest matching it with fish soup, pizza or classic tomato spaghetti. Luckily we had a take-out from the superb Osteria Da Mirco in Cork city and the Sherazade did very well indeed with the Parmigiana di melanzane, Cannelloni di Magro and Polpette al Sugo (with Tagliatelle) and we're able to confirm the producer’s suggestions! It was served, slightly chilled, at around 15 degrees.

Sherazade (or Scheherazade) is a major female character and the storyteller in the Oriental collection of tales known as the One Thousand and Nights.

Donnafugata `Sur Sur` Grillo Siclia (DOC) 2020, 13%, 

RRP €23.99 Alain and Christine Wine and Card Shop; Blackrock Cellar; Mannings Emporium; Martins Off Licence; Searsons Wine Merchants; The Corkscrew; wineonline.ie

This Grillo wine, from an ancient white grape variety of Sicily, has a very light straw colour. Its aromatics are quite intense, fresh and fruity, floral and herbal notes as well. And you get much the same combination on the light and lively palate with peach (especially) and melon to the fore. 

The producers recommend serving at 9-11 degrees and pairing with seafood appetisers, vegetarian first courses, and roasted fish. I got a lovely surprise with this one as it is perhaps the best Grillo that I’ve come across and Very Highly Recommended

Importers Liberty tell us the Rallo family has made wine in Marsala since 1851 in their ancient cellars tunnelled beneath the city. “They were one of the first families to begin making high-quality table wine when sales of traditional Marsala started to decline, launching the Donnafugata label in 1983 and championing the potential of the region’s native varieties.”

Grillo is an ancient autochthonous Sicilian grape variety, but it is also a cute little animal (the cricket) that brings good luck. The name sur sur, that means cricket, comes from the classical Arabic language which was once also spoken in Sicily. The voice of spring, with its scents and colors, is depicted on the label. It shows Gabriella (founder of Donnafugata, with her husband Giacomo) as a girl in flight, running barefoot through the flowers and fresh grass, following the singing of crickets that sounds sweet to her ears, like a thousand “SurSur… “

According to Wine-Searcher.com, Grillo has become a viable contender for the quintessential Italian table white: light, easy-drinking and often associated with very good value and competes well with better known Italian white grapes.