Just 2 weeks to the much-anticipated West Waterford Festival of Food!

Just 2 weeks to the much-anticipated 

West Waterford Festival of Food!

Fabulous food, over 70 events, unique experiences, famous quay side market, fantastic family programme, thought-provoking talks, guided forages and more from 14^th- 16^th April.

Kate Morrissey (left) with 2023 Festival Director Eunice Power (2022 pic)

It’s the final countdown to the highly anticipated West Waterford Festival of Food, one of Ireland’s largest and longest running community festivals, which takes place from 14^th to 16^th April 2023.  

The 3-day festival, which shines a spotlight on locally produced, wholesome food and chefs from the county. The festival will feature more than 70 events in the scenic harbour town of Dungarvan, along with nearby Lismore and throughout the West Waterford region, making it a truly local celebration with huge community heart behind it.

The exciting programme features an eclectic mix of events including a Gala Dinner at Lismore Castle to food trails, a fantastic family programme, workshops, a food stage, pop-up experiences in unusual locations, foraging trails, bus tours, cooking demos and camps, top chefs, masterclasses plus one of Ireland’s largest outdoor markets. However, with many ticketed events close to selling out, it’s best to book now to avoid disappointment!

Four year old Teddy Drohan all set for the festival fun

There’s so much to choose from but here’s a selection of our favourites.  

1. Bia not Bluster: Thought Provoking Talks about the future of the food industry Dungarvan Town Hall, Saturday 11am-3.45pm, FREE

If you’re interested in hearing about  change in the Irish food industry, this entertaining and thought -provoking event curated by conversation starter Richard Jacob is not to be missed.  Some of the most influential food and hospitality figures from the food and agri business sector will deep dive into topics from sustainability and farming to the shifting nature of restaurants themselves.    A hotly contested “Toast off” will also see six well known chefs from Cork and Waterford battle to see who can make the best toastie in 15 minutes, armed with local ingredients and a domestic sandwich toaster. 

1. Table-scaping: Learn the art of how to dress your table followed by dinner.

Old Market House Art Centre, Saturday 6.30pm, €125

Learn the art of dressing your table for a dinner party or special occasion in this creative workshop with Sinead Connigle Palmer of Lovenest.ie followed by sumptuous dinner cooked duo Eamon and Ro and served on beautifully curated tables. You’ll leave feeling inspired, with lots of insider known- how, tips and tricks.

1. Gather at the Mart for ham sandwiches and crisps, music, laughter, and family stories
   Dungarvan Mart, Friday and Saturday evening, €30

Popping up at the unusual location of Dungarvan Mart will be two charming events with a musical theme.  You are invited to ‘gather around the table of Clancy’s Kitchen’ on Friday night as the 2^nd generation of the famed Waterford  musical family will regale with songs, stories, and music from the household of the Clancy Brothers in what promises to be a spine tingling night. Then on Saturday night, renowned singer songwriters Mike Hanrahan and Eleanor Shanley will bring an exciting evening of songs and stories fusing food and music and drawing on their personal passions for both. In true mart tradition a simple supper of ham sandwiches, crisps and mulled apple juice will be provided at both events. 

1. Family Fun: Teddy Bears Picnic, Junior Bake off, Sensory cooking and more 

All weekend

There’s so much to do all weekend for kids, that will inspire a true love of food, including a ‘Junior Bake Off’ contest, sensory cooking classes to learn useful skills in the kitchen, a teenager and young adult food workshop, an adorable Teddy Bear’s Picnic, a gigantic RNLI duck race down the quays, the Agri Aware Mobile Farm, Wobbly Circus stilt walkers, and even a Family Fun Dog Show! There is also a free dedicated family fun zone sponsored by Tírlán in Walton Park Dungarvan with a host of free events from 11am to 3pm on the Saturday 15^th and Sunday16th April. 

1. Sustainability Bus Tour: A true farm to fork experience in West Waterford
   Saturday 10am, buses depart from Shandon Car Park, €30

A number of fun Bus Bia tours are running for the weekend, with some availability still left on the gorgeous sustainability tour.  Embark on a fun filled and informative adventure through the wonderful countryside of West Waterford where you’ll spend the morning with food producers, learn about organic vegetable growing, sustainable farming and bees, before enjoying a delicious lunch. 

1. Inclusive Thinking with a mobile sensory room
   Walton Park, Free

Ensuring the festival is as accessible as possible, a mobile sensory unit for people on the autism spectrum will be available at the festival in partnership with Autism Ireland.  This will give the option of taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the event if needed. The padded unit is complete with a bubble wall, projector and dark den staffed by autism trained volunteers. A Lámh signed cookery demonstration with Chef Aisling Larking will be another fun event for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and communication needs and their families, with a song or two from Nollaig Hennessy!

1. Surplus to Spectacular Supper: Combating Food Waste

Sisters Restaurant Dungarvan, Saturday 7.30pm, €55

Combating food waste is a strong theme at the festival and organisers have partnered with Food Cloud who will host a ‘Surplus to Spectacular Supper’. Zero-waste chef, Ralph Utto, will prepare a delicious five course feast (including tea or coffee) from surplus food, and will share his thoughts on farm to fork eating, food waste and the climate. 

1. Afternoon Tea at a historic private house

Saturday and Sunday, €40

Indulge your tastebuds and at one of Waterford’s historic private houses.  Choose from the picturesque garden room at Woodhouse Estate in Stradbally prepared by pâtissier Judit McNally from Ormond Café or Ballyin House in Lismore, a beautiful Georgian home serving their own signature treats.

In addition to ‘popping up’ at Woodhouse Estate, Judit Mc Nally will also offer a Chocolate Masterclass at Ormonde Café in Dungarvan where she will demonstrate how to work with chocolate and make chocolate truffles. There will be recipes and some chocolates to take home afterwards. This masterclass takes place on Friday 14^th April from 7pm-8.30pm and costs €30.

1. The Park after Dark

Walton Park, Friday 7-10pm, €15 

Bringing Walton Park to light by night, a street party style celebration will take place from 7pm-10pm only on Friday April 15th with bars, bia and bands for over 18s.  Get a taste of the region with hog roast from Siobhan and Ross at Newbard Farm, Little Catch Seafood, Blackwater Gin, Dungarvan Brewing Company, Legacy Cider, Dungarvan Wine Buff and more, while you listen to bands Presto, Saoirse and Seascapes.

1. The Gigantic Festival Market

Sunday

Festival markets will run all weekend but the big highlight every year is the town-centre festival market on Sunday, one of Ireland’s largest outdoor markets.  It features dozens of colourful stalls inviting festival goers to graze their way around the bustling town square, along the quayside and in Walton Park. This is the perfect excuse to stock up on fresh, local produce, artisan baking, Irish and international cuisine or to eat out while soaking up the music and atmosphere. 

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Part of the charm of the West Waterford Festival of Food is how bespoke the festival experience can be. Whether you wander the stalls, dip into a food trail, or pop to an event, there is plenty to whet your appetite. A more dedicated festival goer may want to pour over the programme in advance and book a dining experience, masterclass or any of the other ticketed workshop or tasting events.

The West Waterford Festival of Food is funded by Waterford Council, Waterford Leader Partnership, Fáilte Ireland, and Waterford LEO and would not be possible without the support of sponsors, friends circle and the community.

Pre-booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.  For the full programme, more information, and tickets, see www.westwaterfordfestivaloffood.com/ 

CorkBillyBeers #19. Craft IPA with 9 White Deer, Hope, Ballykilcavan and Torc

CorkBillyBeers #19

Craft IPA with 9 White Deer, Hope, Ballykilcavan and Torc

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9 White Deer Stag IPA 5.00% ABV, 500ml bottle

I know it comes with a red/orange label but wasn’t really expecting this Stag IPA to have such a deep red/orange colour, with a slightly off-white head. 

You’ll get fruit and floral notes in the aromas but malt is quite a factor also. Really big flavours on the palate. Very supple, quite a heavyweight actually, with a well balanced aspect, even if hops have the edge in the final stretch. After all, the sub-title on the front label indicates this is a hoppy pale ale and so it is. A very good American style IPA at that.

They say: A Classic IPA, using vast quantities of new age hops, this gluten free IPA is full of flavour. Hop usage is late in the boil which gives big flavours and aroma without big bitterness. IPAs never serviced the gluten free market but that is now changed, and what a beer to change it with. A well balanced quaffable IPA bursting with flavour and aroma.

By the way, 9 White Deer take that little bit longer to mature all their beers. Feel the labels in bottles and even here, you get the “premierisation” effect. And I think you also get it in spades when you taste these well-made beers from Ballyvourney. No rush in this brewery. “We create superior brews by being respectful to our ingredients and maturing process, which results in exceptional beers that are also gluten free.” Their dedication and patience pays off in beers like this IPA.

Very Highly Recommended

Recent post on 9 White Deer here

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Hope Limited Edition No. 28 Double Rye IPA 8.5%, 400ml can

This big Rye IPA comes in an attractive amber/orange colour and is quite hazy. The spice of the Rye and the citrus of the Centennial feature in the aromas. And you also meet them on the palate where the interaction is absolutely outstanding. Very impressive.

Hope brewers balanced the strong influence of the malted rye firstly by “a mountain of Centennial, the classic American citrus hop, which we use in the kettle, whirlpool, and in two dry hop additions”.

They also used CryoPop, a new product from Yakima Chief, that

blends various Cryo Hops.

“The result,” they say, “is a huge IPA, which combines the spicy malt flavours of Rye, with the orange and grapefruit flavours of Centennial, all lifted by the tropical fruit flavours of Cryo-Pop hops”. Well worth checking out. 

But take your time and enjoy this a sip at a time as it is very easy-drinking for a beer that packs an 8.5% ABV. You’ll find that a sip of this excellent beer will also go a long way, so why hurry?

Geek Bits

Serving Temperature: 8-10 degrees

Bitterness: 70 IBU

Alcohol: 8.5%

Colour: 18.5 EBC

Very Highly Recommended

Recent post on Ballykilcavan here

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Ballykilcavan Long Meadow IPA, 5.0% ABV, 440ml can CraftCentral

This IPA from Laois, named after a 300 years old field on the farm, has a gold colour, with quite a wash of red onboard as well, all under a slightly off-white soft head. The malt plays a role in the aromatics with the hops, Azacca and Amarillo, contributing tropical and citrus. The palate is well loaded with the tropical fruit flavours, and there’s a hint of pith in its pleasingly bitterness. Again, the biscuity malt anchors it all well and the balance is good. The finish to this Long Meadow ale is quite satisfactory indeed.

By the way, if you'd like to visit the farm and have a look at the brewery, they'd love to show you around. “You'll hear the family stories from the more than 380 years that we've been at Ballykilcavan, and see the 18th century farmyard behind the brewery. Weather permitting, we'll bring you to the old stable yard, the champion black walnut tree of Ireland and the remains of the walled garden. Then we'll bring you into the brewery itself to find out how we make our beers.” Check the website here. 

Highly Recommended

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Torc Kingdom IPA, 5.0% ABV, 500ml bottle, Carry Out Killarney (Muckross Rd)

Torc Brewing has been brewing and delivering local Irish craft beer to the people of Killarney since 2014. This is their “smooth and full bodied Indian Pale Ale. Made with Irish malted barley and balanced with European hops for a traditional style IPA.”

One thing struck me though as I looked at the list of ingredients. Traditional, or any other, IPA that I’ve come across doesn’t include lactose and sugar in the ingredients as this one does. The other ingredients by the way are more usual: Wheat, Barley, Hops, Yeast, and Water.

It has a hazy pale gold colour and a short-lived white head. Hops are not overly prominent though there seems some citrus (grapefruit) about on the palate as well as sweetness. Decent enough body and satisfactory finish. Torc’s traditional style seems to be a toned down sweeter version of the modern American IPA.

Recommended.

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Dolcetto. The little dark one that’s not so sweet after all! But this Piedmont example is very enjoyable nonetheless.

Dolcetto. The little dark one that’s not so sweet after all!

But this Piedmont example is very enjoyable nonetheless

Valli Unite Diogene da uve Dolcetto Costa Vescovato Colli Tortonesi (DOC) 2013, 14%

€19.95 Le Caveau, 64 Wine, Greenman Wines, Bradleys Cork

The co-operative, Società Coop Agricola Valli Unite to give it its full title, was established over thirty years ago, at a time when most young people left the land to seek work in the large cities of northern Italy. Farmers in general in Italy were regarded quite lowly as winemaker Elena Pantaleoni of La Stoppa (in Piedmont as it happens) told me a few years ago over a lovely lunch in Skibbereen’s Good Things Cafe; she was speaking of a family member who had to depart to make his living in France. 

The coop was started by three young men from local farming families who were deeply attached to their land and traditional practices, who had a belief in organic farming and biodiversity as the way of the future and were committed to a way of life and farming that would be sustainable over the long term. This all happened in the locality of Costa Vescovato in Piedmont.

The coop that they started now numbers four families and 25 people, each bringing their own strengths and talents: from vine-growing and wine-making; to cheesemaking; to animal husbandry and butchery; to a hospitality and a restaurant and a shop selling their own produce.

Pic via Le Caveau

Dark ruby is the colour of this Dolcetto (a very dark grape indeed). Cherry, blueberry and floral notes mix it up in the aromatics. And it is pretty punchy on the palate, fresh, fruity, spicy and above all balanced. And this pleasant and vibrant wine, with an insistent grip, finishes well with a pleasurable bittersweet twist.

An uninhibited juicy wine that will have your lips smacking and Very Highly Recommended.

Versatile at the table especially with the commune’s products (they have their own animals, make their own cheese here), excellent with various mixed appetisers and with Primi Piatti based on homemade pasta. Wine Folly lauds it as one of Italy’s classic food wines “that’s best with richer darker meats”. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees.

The Italian word dolcetto means "little sweet one", but it is not certain that the name originally carried any reference to the grape’s sugar levels which are not notably high. In any case, the wines produced are nearly always dry. Even Oz Clark in Grapes and Wines admits he hasn’t found a Dolcetto wine that deserves the “little sweet one” tag.

Treasure Trove Of Easter Treats At Eggs-cellent English Market

press release

The English Market’s ‘Eggs-cellent’ Offerings this Easter

At The Chocolate Shop

With Easter weekend fast approaching, the traders at the English Market have some last-minute, local food offerings and treats to help you prepare for the Easter weekend celebrations. 

Below are a selection of traders offering a variety of options to suit all tastes and budgets. 

The Chocolate Shop 

The Chocolate shop has a wide range of Easter-themed treats to indulge in this Easter Sunday, including its hero chocolate-filled shell. The much-loved shell can be filled with a wide selection of beautiful milk and dark handmade chocolates - from caramels, toffees, truffles, pralines and more - all chosen by you! The Chocolate Shop also stocks a full range of smaller Easter delights, including a milk chocolate hedgehogs from Michel Cluizel Chocolatier and Lorge easter eggs filled with 5 or 12 chocolates, in addition to half-shell eggs also filled with an array of handmade treats.These Easter eggs are all they’re cracked up to be! 

Visit chocolate.ie to order online for click and collect or home delivery nationwide.

O’Mahony’s Butchers

O’Mahony’s continues to provide some of the best local meat from The English Market, and this coming Easter weekend is no different. With the best of new season Spring Lamb, available at the stall, O’Mahonys also have alternative meat options available for your Easter Sunday feast, including full-of-flavour Dry Aged Prime Rib and Sirloin. A feast indeed!

Visit www.omahonysbutchers.com/ to order online for click and collect.

The Roughty Foodie 

As always, The Roughty Foodie boasts a wide range of treats and delicacies for true foodies, all of which are locally or Irish produced. From Cork-owned Ó’Conaill chocolate, to both Kerry’s Benoit Lorge Chocolatier & Skelligs chocolates, there are lots to choose from - but if you can’t choose, order a custom hamper with all of your favourites! Just in time for an Easter bloom, the Roughty Foodie is selling beautiful Tumbelina Tulips from West Cork - chemical-free flowers specially grown in homemade compost made from small animal house bedding, fallen autumn leaves, coffee grounds and local beach seaweed - that would make for the perfect centrepiece for an Easter Sunday Dinner. A pure Cork flower and feast!

Visit theroughtyfoodie.com to order hampers online or visit the English Market stall. 

Bubble Brothers

Top off the Easter weekend with a bottle of delicious sparkling wine or champagne from Bubble Brothes, the place to go for a choice of bubbly and wines from all around the world. Make the occasion a little more memorable with a bottle of ‘Un Jour de 1911’, Grand Cru champagne from Champagne André Clouet in the village of Bouzy. As a tribute to the style and dynamism of the Golden Age of the early 1900s, each bottle comes with its own numbered certificate, is hand-finished and protected by a straw wrapper. A ‘golden egg’ this Easter!

Available to purchase at their English Market stall or online at www.bubblebrothers.ie 

As always, the English Market is the home of quality Irish food, and this is just a small selection of stalls in the market with many more there to cater for all of your Easter needs under one roof. From succulent Spring lamb and a variety of meats to fresh fish and seafood, cakes, treats, chocolates and more, all of the traders at the English Market are here to help create a memorable & celebratory meal this Easter Weekend. 

The English Market is open 8am-6pm, Monday to Saturday (closed on Sundays & Bank Holidays). For more information and to keep up to date with the latest news, visit The English Market social media pages on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook or visit www.corkcity.ie/en/english-market/

Roughty Fruity Selection

 

Killarney's Victoria Hotel. A comfortable and convenient location on the Ring of Kerry.

 Killarney's Victoria Hotel. A comfortable and convenient location on the Ring of Kerry

Victoria Hotel on a March morning

Killarney’s Victoria Hotel, on the Muckross Road, is a comfortable and well situated base for a short break in Kerry. It is on the Ring of Kerry and the National Park is just a short stroll away.

We were immediately struck by the warmth of the welcome at the reception, later in the dining room and also in the breakfast room. The fact that this 33-bed hotel, owned by the Courtneys, has separate dining rooms indicate their focus on space and comfort.

Cashel Blue included in breakfast platter of cheese and charcuterie

Breakfast is excellent here and you won’t have to leave your seat. No buffet. Everything, including juices and breads and cereals is brought to your table. You just indicate your preferences sit back and enjoy. Quite a menu as well. We can recommend the pancakes, the Full irish (or variants thereof), and the Charcuterie and Irish cheese plate.

The Ivy Restaurant at Killarney’s Victoria Hotel is a splendid place to dine. Again, here’s a high degree of comfort and space, a friendly and courteous team, and the food (not to mention the drink) doesn’t disappoint either. We had dinner there and can give it a big thumbs up! More details here. 

On another night, we had dinner at the relatively new Harrow Restaurant on the town’s High Street, another splendid and comfortable establishment with a very high standard of service and cooking. Read all about it here.

Slea Head

We spent a brilliant day on the road with the main focus on Dingle and the surrounding coast, including the spectacular Slea Head. It was mid-March and the weather was mixed but our hours on the coast and in the town were enhanced by the sunshine even the winds blew hard.

Torc Waterfall, mins from hotel

A few months back, we came across a magnificent sea salt made by a small enterprise called West of Dingle. It is usually stocked by the well-known Little Cheese Shop in Green Street but they had run out. We were directed to the Health Food Shop on Main Street and here we were able to stock up.

Local brew in hotel

We were looking for a mini-snack ourselves (enough after that big breakfast in the Victoria) and called into Seed & Soul and my highlight here was their Gingerbread Latte. Not a great Latte man normally but I certainly enjoyed this one.

Great to see well-known places such as Dick Mac’s (lively lunchtime buzz there) as we strolled around. It may have been cool but that didn’t stop the punters piling into Murphy’s Ice Cream. Passing Ireland’s smallest shop, McCarthy’s Crepes, and a sign outside Bob Griffin’s Bar telling us that Soup of the Day was Guinness, raised a smile.

Since I was in Kerry I was keen to get my hands on some local craft beer, especially those that wouldn’t be readily available in Cork. And I found quite a treasure trove of craft a few minutes from the hotel. The Carry Out at the town end of the road down to Ross Castle had a huge selection including some from my own local the Cotton Ball. They also bottles from four Kerry brewers: Tom Crean, Torc, West Kerry and Killarney Brewery. Filled a big box there!

Just across the road from the off licence, a couple from Argentina run Tango, a café and bakery, with an interesting South American and European menu. Didn't have time to call on this trip but noted it. Another to check, nearby, out is Luna, a wine bar stocking some excellent natural wines.

The hotel and Harrow both serve local beers but if you want a large selection on draught then the best place to visit would the Celtic Whiskey Bar and Larder in the town centre. They do some very tasty food there as well.

I didn’t get to visit the new facility of the Killarney Brewing and Distillery Company out in Fossa on this visit but that was remedied on w/ending March 31st - I'll have a post up soon. Cheers!

On this trip:

Dinner at The Ivy in Killarney

Dining at The Harrow Killarney

Coming Soon

Sneem Hotel DBB

Brehon Lunch

Lunch at Killarney Distillery and Brewery in Fossa.