Small Producers Kick On With Lidl. My Kickstart Selection

Small Producers Kick On With Lidl.

My Kickstart Selection

Kickstart your day with this Strangford coffee  from County Down (€5.49).
It makes a good Espresso!

I called to the local Lidl the other day in search of more of that gorgeous

A Riverfront Retreat: The Lord Bagenal Inn. Discover the Charms of County Carlow

 A Riverfront Retreat: The Lord Bagenal Inn

 Discover the Charms of County Carlow

Nestled along the picturesque River Barrow in the heritage village of Leighlinbridge, The Lord Bagenal Inn is a family-run gem that offers a warm welcome and unforgettable experiences. This award-winning hotel provides a comfortable base for exploring the beauty and history of County Carlow and the surrounding region. 

Delicious Duck at Dinner

A Haven for Adventure

 Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or an

Happy Anniversary for Cork International's New Yorker!

press release 

CORK RESTAURANT CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY WITH 

NEW YORK INSPIRED EVENING

The team from the New Yorker ready to celebrate 10th anniversary. Pic: Brian Lougheed

The Cork International Hotel is celebrating 10 years of the New Yorker Bar and Restaurant with a unique New York inspired evening.

The chefs have designed a number of specials with a

The Mullicháin Café: A Hidden Gem on the Barrow

Mullicháin Café: A Hidden Gem on the Barrow

Nestled along the picturesque River Barrow in St. Mullins, Co. Carlow, Mullicháin Café is a charming oasis that offers a delightful blend of history, cuisine, and natural beauty.

Housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century canal storehouse, Mullicháin Café exudes character and charm. The original features, including Canadian pitch pine beams and lime plaster walls, have been carefully preserved, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere.

A Culinary Delight

The café has a beer and wine licence. We were on

TASTE OF KILDARE HITS THE SPOT WITH CULINARY DELIGHTS AND VIBRANT ATMOSPHERE

TASTE OF KILDARE HITS THE SPOT WITH CULINARY DELIGHTS AND VIBRANT ATMOSPHERE

Dee Laffan (left) chatting with Linda Mulryan (2nd left), Aine Mangan, and Chef Derry Clarke, in Ballymore VIP suite at Naas Racecourse, Kildare. Pic: G Chaney

The Taste of Kildare Festival of Food & Drink returned with a triumphant celebration of food, culture, and community at Naas Racecourse from September 20th to 22nd. Brought to you by Into Kildare and supported by Ballymore and Kildare County Council’s Local Enterprise Office, the festival attracted thousands of attendees eager to experience the best of Kildare’s culinary scene, artisan craftsmanship, and lively entertainment.

The festival, which was created by Into Kildare, the Kildare Tourism Board, featured a

Good Dairy Ice Cream: A Creamy Delight. Taste of the Week

Good Dairy Ice Cream: A Creamy Delight

Indulge in Farm-Fresh Goodness With Our Taste of the Week!

Lidl's Kickstart initiative has introduced us to a delicious gem: Good Dairy ice cream. Crafted with passion and precision by Catherine Good, this ice cream is a testament to the quality of Irish dairy products.

From Farm to Freezer in a Flash

Made with fresh milk and cream from the Good Dairy farm's Pedigree Friesian cows, this ice cream is a true farm-to-table delight. The process is remarkably efficient, ensuring that the ice cream is as fresh as possible.

A Trio of Temptations

Lidl's shelves boast three irresistible flavours from Good Dairy:

• 

  Over 40 producers
  feature in Kickstart.
  Catherine is bottom left.
  
  

  Chocolate Cow's Lick: A creamy and decadent chocolate ice cream with a subtle hint of salt.
• Salted Caramoo: Indulge in the rich caramel flavour with a touch of saltiness for a perfect balance.
• Udderly Vanilla: A classic flavour elevated by the use of high-quality Madagascan vanilla.

A Taste of Perfection

Each of the three tubs is a testament to Catherine's skill and dedication. The ice cream is remarkably smooth, creamy, and full of flavour. The use of fresh, high-quality ingredients shines through in every spoonful.

Don't Miss Out

Head to your local Lidl and treat yourself to a scoop (or two!) of Good Dairy ice cream. You won't be disappointed! Unless I get there before you!

* Lidl's Kickstart began on Thursday (19th September) and continues.

* More on Kickstart soon.

Beer Of The Week. Connemara Irish Lager. "consistently high-quality beers are what we’re all about"

 Beer Of The Week  

Connemara Irish Lager, 4.5% ABV, 330 ml can (€2.99) Lidl Kickstart

consistently high-quality beers are what we’re all about

Connemara Brewing is very proud of this lager. “Our signature product is a refreshing, clean and robust lager. It features a pleasingly spicy and floral bitterness from our Žatecký (Saaz*) hops, backed up with a slight maltiness from a blend of Irish and continental grains, and a crisp, clean finish from our specially selected yeast and open fermentation process”.

There is no argument with that brewery assessment. Packed with delicious flavour and with that spicy bitterness shining through, this high-quality beer, with its clean and refreshing finish, deserves a place in the Very Highly Recommended selection BEER OF THE WEEK. 

They say: Our focus is on making a small number of beers really well—consistently high-quality beers are what we’re all about. Connemara is blessed with some of the highest-quality water in the world, which, combined with the highest-quality raw materials and crafted by the know-how of our world-class brewers, results in consistently high-quality beers.

The soft Connemara water is a big help in brewing lager, and brewer Aine O’Hora makes the best of it and the other ingredients. Aine moved home to Galway following a phenomenally successful and diverse career in brewing. She has been brewing continuously since finishing her science degree almost 20 years ago (further complemented by a Master's in Brewing and distilling). She has both started and run start-up craft and large breweries.

The brewer used the open fermentation process, which is still relatively common in the UK, Germany, and Belgium, even though many craft and most large brewers do not use it. Check it out here.

I unexpectedly came across this can (and those of a few other breweries) at the Kickstart promotion in the local Lidl, where dozens of Irish producers get a chance to make an impact. Kickstart began on September 19th and will continue for a limited time or while stocks last.

 

If you are in Connemara, why not try a guided tour of the brewery, followed by a tasting of some of their beers? All tours must be pre-booked. Get all the details at info@connemarabrewery.com

• This hop is generally used for Bohemian-style lagers and pilsners

Duckett's Grove: A Journey Through Time. A World of History and Enchantment

Duckett's Grove: A Journey Through Time

Step into a World of History and Enchantment

Cornfield and tree, from the stableyard

Duckett's Grove, a captivating blend of history and ruined beauty, awaits your exploration. Once a grand mansion, it now stands as a magnificent silhouette, a testament to a bygone era.

Duckett's Grove was the heart and soul of the

Beer of the Week. O'Hara's Irish Pale Ale. A Hoppy Delight.

Beer of the Week

O'Hara's Irish Pale Ale, 5.2% ABV, on draught at the Lord Bagenal Inn in Leighlinbridge, County Carlow

A Hoppy Delight

O'Hara's Irish Pale Ale is a refreshing and flavourful brew that captures the essence of the modern style. With its balanced bitterness, zesty aroma, and long-lasting finish, this beer is a must-try for any craft beer enthusiast and is our Beer of the Week.

The copper-toned body is topped with a lightly carbonated head, inviting you to take a sip. The dry hopping adds a burst of fruit and floral notes, creating a complex and aromatic experience. The bitterness is well-balanced, providing a refreshing contrast to the sweetness of the malt.

A Perfect Pairing

Very enjoyable in The Lord Bagenal Inn, especially after a day's wandering in the beautiful County Carlow, where this beer is produced. Its refreshing flavours and crisp finish make it a versatile beer that pairs well with a variety of foods including my delicious Asian-style Roast Duck and my companion's Chicken Curry in the Inn's restaurant.

Also on this trip:

Arboretum Garden Centre & Cafe

Three lovely riverside towns in Carlow: Leighlinbridge, Bagenalstown and Borris

O'Hara's Craft Beer

BAHT Thai

The Lord Bagenal Inn

Duckett’s Grove

Cafe Mullichain

Taste of the Week. Organic Gravadlax by Ummera Smokehouse

Taste of the Week. 

Organic Gravadlax by Ummera Smokehouse

Anthony Creswell's award-winning Ummera Smokehouse is situated in rural West Cork by the banks of the Argideen River. Here, near the village of Timoleague, Anthony smokes both fish and meat.

In 2008, he introduced their Organic Gravadlax, which was honoured with the Gold Medal in the 2008 Great Taste Awards in its first year of

Easy drinking blend of Trebbiano and a small dash of Chardonnay, zippy and fresh. Madregale Terre di Chieti Bianco

Cantina Tollo Madregale Terre di Chieti Bianco (IGP) 2022, 12.5% ABV

RRP: €13.50. Stockists: 64 Wine Dublin, Bradley’s of Cork, Greenman Dublin, Le Caveau Kilkenny 

Easy drinking blend of Trebbiano and a small dash of Chardonnay, uncomplicated, zippy and fresh.

Looking for an easy-drinking white that doesn’t

Savour the Flavours of Culture Night. After Hours at Cork’s Historic English Market

press release 

Savour the Flavours of Culture Night 

After Hours at Cork’s Historic English Market

Preparations are underway for a vibrant evening of culture and community at the English Market, a culinary hub in the heart of Cork City. This Friday, September 20th, from 6:30 PM until 9 PM, the market will open its historic doors after hours for a

BAHT. An Authentic Thai Dining Experience In Carlow

 BAHT. An Authentic Thai Dining Experience In Carlow

Superb Thai food and very comfortable chairs!

A wealth of Thai experience lies behind the menu in Carlow town’s BAHT. The new Thai-owned restaurant sees seasoned chefs and fresh talent bring you authentic Thai flavours. Enjoy dishes infused with traditional medicinal herbs, crafted with passion and care. We certainly gave it a big thumbs up on a recent Tuesday evening when the room was close to capacity.

It is a lovely room on