Weekend indulgence at The Bookshelf Elysian
Brunch Delights and City Buzz
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| Italian Eggs |
Embark on a Culinary Adventure at Cork's Modern Bookshop Café
Forget the ordinary brunch routine. The Bookshelf Elysian in Cork City offers an experience that's as delightful as it is delicious. Nestled within the iconic
An Evening Of Moët & Chandon Champagnes
Paired With Culinary Delights From Rare At Blue Haven, Kinsale
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| Julie Dupouy Sommelier |
Experience an extraordinary night at Rare at Blue Haven in Kinsale as Executive Head Chef Meeran Manzoor teams up with renowned sommelier Julie Dupouy for an exclusive celebration of exquisite flavours and the finest champagnes.
On Friday 11th October, the venue will unveil a
Famille Fabre Chateau De Reiux (demi muid) Minervois (AOC) 2020, 14.5% ABV
RRP: €24.00 at Matsons Bandon, Grange, Youghal
Showcases the vibrant character of sunny Minervois
This Minervois from Famille Fabre is a bold and expressive wine that showcases the
MERCEDES-BENZ SUPPORTS IRISH FOOD PRODUCERS
On the road to Blas at Dingle!
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| Nevo’s Simon Andreucetti and Derek Reilly are pictured with Fallon Moore and Artie Clifford of Blas na hEireann ahead of their 2024 Irish Food Awards, taking place in Dingle next month. |
Ahead of this year’s Blas na hEireann 2024 Irish Food Awards, in partnership with Bank of Ireland and taking place in Dingle next month, Mercedes-Benz Ireland has joined forces with Nevo, Ireland's only dedicated electric vehicle platform to offer practical support to the many small and medium-size Irish food producers who will take part in
Small Producers Kick On With Lidl.
My Kickstart Selection
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| 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
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.
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| Delicious Duck at Dinner |
A Haven for Adventure
Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or an
press release
CORK RESTAURANT CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY WITH
NEW YORK INSPIRED EVENING
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| 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
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.
The café has a beer and wine licence. We were on
TASTE OF KILDARE HITS THE SPOT WITH CULINARY DELIGHTS AND VIBRANT ATMOSPHERE
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| 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
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:
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| Over 40 producers feature in Kickstart. Catherine is bottom left. |
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, 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
Duckett's Grove: A Journey Through Time
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| Step into a World of History and Enchantment |
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| 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, 5.2% ABV, on draught at the Lord Bagenal Inn in Leighlinbridge, County Carlow
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
