Monday, October 7, 2024

The best of Irish craft and design at Ballymaloe Craft Fair 2024. And, there'll be food of course!

The best of Irish craft and design at Ballymaloe Craft Fair 2024

200 exhibitors bring their best. And food stalls, of course!



The Ballymaloe Craft Fair 2024 will run from November 15th to 17th and 22nd to 24th. In addition to fantastic gifting options, the Fair will offer a wide range of produce from local artisan food producers, featuring everything from cheese makers to

Saladini Pilastri Falerio, a pure, organic, fresh, and elegant white from the sunny limestone hills of Spinetoli

Saladini Pilastri Falerio (DOC) 2022, 13.5% ABV

€17.95 Bradleys North Main Street Cork and online 


From the sunny limestone hills of Spinetoli, a pure, organic, fresh, and elegant white.

This organic white blend from the Marche on Italy’s east coast has a light straw colour. Its aromas feature subtle white blossom and white fruit notes. That continues into the palate, where it is fruity but in a restrained way, with minerality and elegance. 

The balanced blend of grapes—Trebbiano, Passerina, Pecorino, Fiano, and

Friday, October 4, 2024

Go for Pumpkin Pie, Okra, and Po’Boys. Soul flavours of Louisiana in Cork’s Bayou

Go for Pumpkin Pie, Okra, and Po'Boys 

Soul flavours of Louisiana in Cork's Bayou


Jambalaya



Cork finally has a taste of the real America: Bayou, a vibrant new cafe serving up the soul-satisfying flavours of Louisiana, has a mission to give 

Thursday, October 3, 2024

On the craft trail with Galway Bay, Outer Place and O'Hara's. A handy line-up for a session!

On the craft trail with Galway Bay, Outer Place and O'Hara's

A handy line-up for a session!



Galway Bay Brewery Althea Hazy Pale Ale, 4.8% ABV, 500 ml bottle, Dunnes Stores


Unlike many pale ales, Althea is low on bitterness yet massively hoppy in aroma. The brewery tells us it is named “after one of our head brewer’s favourite Grateful Dead songs.” Highly Recommended.


The colour is light gold, hazy, of course, though you can track all

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

POWERSCOURT HOTEL RESORT & SPA IN TOP 20 BEST EUROPEAN SPAS. Condé Nast Reader's Choice Awards

press release

POWERSCOURT HOTEL RESORT & SPA IN TOP 20 BEST EUROPEAN SPAS

Condé Nast Reader's Choice Awards



 



Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa, is pleased to announce that they have been listed in the top 20 best European Resorts in this year's Condé Nast Reader's Choice Awards, a well-respected accolade for the travel & tourism industry. 

More than 575,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers across the United States submitted

MICHELIN Keys in Great Britain & Ireland for the very first time. 123 outstanding hotels awarded.

press release


MICHELIN Keys in Great Britain & Ireland for the very first time.
123 outstanding hotels awarded.
The Two Key Award group.



Selected by the MICHELIN Guide Inspectors, these hotels offer the world's most outstanding experiences and can be booked on the MICHELIN Guide’s digital platforms.
The MICHELIN Guide’s ambition is to become the first

Beer of the Week. Eight Degrees Cumulus Lupulus Cloudy IPA. A good day ahead!

Beer of the Week

Eight Degrees Cumulus Lupulus Cloudy IPA, 5.2% ABV

440 ml can No 21 Coburg St

Clouds via pixabay



A cloudy IPA. And a good day ahead! 


A cloudy IPA? It's not very cloudy at all, just see-through hazy. However, when weather forecasters say it will be cloudy, they usually mean it will be both cloudy and sunny. But if they were glass-half-full people, they could just as easily say it will be sunny.


Cloudy or not, this well-hopped IPA is an intense brew. It has an excellent

Monday, September 30, 2024

September Saturday. Down by the River.

Down by the River. 

September Saturday.

28th September 2024, from the Tivoli side of Cork's River Lee




Rowers heading down the river

Seven Swans. Eight Rowers.



Heading towards the city



Full crew power the Tara Warrior Princess (and below)



One eight above, and another below



Three single sculls (above and following)




Double

Four, with cox in a box, and below



River, road, railway. Look closely, beyond the houses, to see yellow train on its way.

Train heading east


Teamhair Saoirse, heading out.

Port of Cork

The Swan family



A superb Malbec from Chateau du Cedre, where almost every vine receives a special attention

Cedre Heritage Malbec Cahors (AC) 2021, 13% ABV


RRP: €19.95. Stockists:  64 Wine DublinBradley’s of CorkGreenman DublinLe Caveau Kilkenny 

almost every vine receives a special attention


Gorgeous fruity aromatics welcome you to this mid to dark ruby wine from the south of France.  It has been produced biodynamically by Pascal and Jean-Marc Verhaeghe of Château Du Cèdre, found where the River Lot meanders, meanders a lot, and where I confess

Friday, September 27, 2024

HIDDEN HEARTH TO IGNITE THE SPIRIT THIS AUTUMN. FOOD MASTERCLASSES ON THE MENU

press release 

HIDDEN HEARTH TO IGNITE THE SPIRIT THIS AUTUMN. 

FOOD MASTERCLASSES ON THE MENU 

 

The lake and sauna house.

Set within the enchanting Lisnavagh House and Gardens in Rathvilly, Co. Carlow, the Hidden Hearth festival is poised to light up Ireland’s Ancient East from October 11th to 13th. This alcohol and substance free festival blends the arts, music, poetry, and the rich tapestry of Irish language and heritage into a profound three-day experience. Festival-goers will engage in meditation, yoga, breathwork, and masterclasses on food, regenerative agriculture, rewilding and natural

Weekend indulgence at The Bookshelf Elysian. Brunch Delights and City Buzz

Weekend indulgence at The Bookshelf Elysian 

Brunch Delights and City Buzz

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

Thursday, September 26, 2024

An Evening Of Moët & Chandon Champagnes Paired With Culinary Delights From Rare At Blue Haven, Kinsale

An Evening Of Moët & Chandon Champagnes 

Paired With Culinary Delights From Rare At Blue Haven, Kinsale

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