RESTAURANTS AND FOOD

Exploring "Terroirs Project" with Le Caveau in Dingle

Autumn's settling in at Blarney Castle Gardens.

2026-10-18T10:39:00.000+01:00

Autumn's settling in at Blarney Castle Gardens

pics: 18.10.26

Great Western Cedar, after recent trim.

Artichoke (or Cardoon?)

Michaelmas Daisy

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Butterflies still active in Blarney Castle Gardens.

pics: 09.10.26

A peacock butterfly, busy on a Michaelmas Daisy

The great Western Cedar tree has been pruned, if that is the word.

Autumn's creeping in!

The castle and Ester Barrett's "survival"

Venus fly traps

In the carnivorous garden

Virginia Creeper turning red.

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Spiders are busy in the wood at Blarney Castle Gardens

Autumn's arriving (and below)

Fern Tree

Ireland's Tree of the Year 2019 will bewitch you in the Blarney Castle Gardens

Pics: 09.05.2026

The amazing Witches Yew Tree (well, most of it) at @blarneycastleandgardens.
It was Ireland’s Tree of the Year in 2019.

Celtic Peace Dove by Nigel Collins Bass

Globe Thistle

Scores of Hostas thrive in the shade of the Blarney trees

Mega Flower by Linda Christian

A stricken giant

Sweet chestnut

Teasels, above and below

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Summer colours shine in brilliant weather in Blarney Castle Gardens

Taking Flight. Ester Barrett

The Stump

Juliet. Eamonn Ceannt

Curious

Sweet Pea tepee

Dahlia 'Orange Emperor',

Clematis 'The President'

Garden Phlox

Sarracenia (carniverous)

Hanging Basket, one of many making a
spectacular display near the ticket office.

Pics above 15.08.2026

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Blarney lake, house, butterfly

Painted Lady Butterfly at Blarney Castle today.
They arrive here each summer from North Africa and Southern Europe.
More on their amazing multi-generational migration here.

Lake, vegetation

Blarney House, horses

pics 07.23.2026

Blooming Spectacular in

Blarney Castle Gardens

Pics: 07.18.2026

Crocosmia Lucifer above, and its yellow cousin below

Acanthus (perennial)

Blarney House, now open for tours (high season only)

Busy bee on Cardoon

Cortaderia Richardii (a grass also known as ToeToe)

Pergola, above and below

Playground

Teasles

Battle of the Roses.

Pink v White in Blarney Pergola.

pics: 21.06.2026

The pink roses have now joined the white in Blarney border.

A living archway

Flowering Dogwood

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Border Springs Back To Life At Blarney Castle Gardens

Pictures 02.06.2026

White roses crown the Pergola

Just one of many Alliums

The Laburnum archway flowers begin to fade.

That AI is a load of bull! The boss surveys his recent handiwork.

Poppy flower about to fade away

Going with the green at Blarney Castle Gardens.

Pictures: 13.05.2026

Down by the river

Judas Tree

Gunnera Manicata, also below

By the river

Bluebells

Blarney House

Blarney ablaze with colour these May days.

Pictures: 05.05.2026

Rampant ramsons

In the fern garden

A walk through the flowering shrubs

Wild garlic in the Fern Garden

A carnival of many shrubs in flower with a delightful duo of bluebells and wild garlic light up Blarney Castle Gardens

pics: 28.04.2026

Queue for the Blarney Stone!

Tulip Time at Blarney Castle

Tulips coming on strong these days at Blarney and the display should last for a week or two more.

Amazing how quickly the magnificent cherry blossom
of just over a week ago has almost totally vanished.
Not too far away though the rhododendron offer vibrant pink
in the Himalayan Valley have some time still left
to show off! See the current display on this 27 second video.

The vibrant blossoms of
rhododendron on the Himalayan walk.

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Cherry Blossom Time At Blarney Castle Gardens

Visit: 27.03.2026

Blossom all around you as you walk towards the garden

Prunus Shirotae close to the entrance

First days out for the cattle.
At least, the first time I saw them.

First flowers on the wild garlic.

In the Himalayan section, a hint of what's to come

Cyclamen, with is distinctive leaf pattern.

River, blossom and castle.

Time for a rest!

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Magnolia, you sweet thing...

Blarney Castle Gardens

Pics: 20.03.2026

American (Yellow) Skunk-cabbage

Tearoom or temple?

Blarney House

Above, the Fern Trees Garden

On the boardwalk

Daffodils galore

Prunus Shirotae, just inside the entrance.

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Wishing Steps and Daffodils at Blarney Castle Gardens

11.03.2026

Short videos of the Wishing Steps (remember you must walk backwards to have your wish granted!)

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More signs of Spring at Blarney Castle Gardens

Pictures 3rd March 2026

Castle, river, and Ester Barrett's St Hubert's Stag

Blarney House, opens to the public for a few weeks at the peak of the season

Castle, its tall watchtower and river.

Castle and Ester Barrett's Catch

Castle and its tall watch tower.

Castle, crocuses

Crocuses

Cut branches are used to make this fence.

Morning sunshine highlights moss on the branches.

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Resident Heron enjoys the sun at Blarney Castle Gardens

pics taken 15.02.26

The resident heron knows the sunniest places

A crowd of Crocuses

Daffodil rows

A host of daffodils. Some 40,000 bulbs in all!

An avalanche track of Snowdrops

Blarney House

The famous castle towers over nearby house in the garden

A bare tree except for lots of ivy

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Blarney Castle Gardens, a stroll on a February Saturday

Pics taken 07.02.2026

Mega Flower by Lynda Christian
Enamel decorated recycled metal

Teazel

Eternal Ascent by Blessing Sanyanga
Kilkenny Black Marble and stainless steel

Lost in the woods

Fern Tree Garden (above and below)

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Sunshine walk at Blarney Castle Gardens

Sunday Feb 1st 2026

Copse under a blue sky

Snowdrops

Blarney Lake viewing point

Daffodil road

Horse rests in the morning sun

On the lake, reeds in blue water.

Blarney House (south face)

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Crocus and Snowdrop. Blarney Gardens.

31st January 2026

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Photos from 19.01.2026

New viewing point at lake.

Regaining community with the help of Cork Penny Dinners

2026-10-14T10:20:16.452+01:00

Regaining community with the help of Cork Penny Dinners

Chef Jack working on the menu

When you first think of Cork Penny Dinners, you may not think of it as a place of joy as yes, those who are homeless and hungry come to the Cork charity on James Street for much needed support and respite from their difficult situations. But many people do find their way back to joy and community with the help of Penny Dinners.

Volunteering is a huge part of the Cork charity’s work and makes an amazing impact. Why take when you could be giving? Paul McHugh is one example. Having suffered a stroke, he decided to give something back and he and his family joined the volunteers in James Street.

When I walked into the premises a few weeks back, the first person I met was Lisa Murphy, busy at a food station. I didn’t know then that she was a former service user, homeless for a few years and relying on Penny Dinners. But she bounced back and is now a key member or the charity’s team. Not just Penny Dinners but also a voluntary contributor to the Mayfield Community Development Project and her dedication was noted in 2025 when she was honoured as Volunteer of the Year for City North at the Cork Volunteer Awards.

Volunteers all.

Speaking of volunteering means speaking of Catriona Twomey, the long-time volunteer coordinator and trustee at Cork Penny Dinners. Indeed, the name is synonymous with Cork Penny Dinners.

In 2021, she was deservedly the Cork Person of the Year, joining a varied and distinguished list that includes the likes of John Creedon (broadcaster), The Frank and Walters (band), John A Murphy (historian) and top sports people such as Sonia O’Sullivan, Roy Keane, Rob Heffernan and Jimmy Barry Murphy. Caitriona remains a valued member of the board of trustees.

If you ask any Cork person for their favourite charity, Cork Penny Dinners will more than likely top the list. It seems it has been there forever. Not quite forever, but the charity was founded in 1888.

Inspired by a growing movement in London, where a single penny could buy a hot, nourishing meal, a group of women in Cork took action. “On March 12th, they met at the Imperial Hotel to bring the Penny Dinner idea to their city - not as charity in the traditional sense, but as a dignified, structured form of nourishment and care.”

As years turned into decades, the work continued through war, recession, urban change, and rising need. Cork answered again and again - with pennies, potatoes, and presence. And so it continues today and, no doubt, into the future though they wouldn’t mind becoming redundant if and when society no longer needs their intervention.

For the present though, the work goes on.

Covid 19 forced them into takeaway only but the recently reopened sit-down service is much appreciated as it opens an avenue to company and a chat.

The charity receives no government funding and it doesn't charge service users a penny to come and eat. The charity recently launched its Just One Meal appeal asking members of the public to donate to help cover the cost of preparing and serving one warm, nutritious meal at their James Street kitchen in Cork. You can donate to Just One Meal at corkpennydinners.org/justonemeal/.

* Thanks to Sharon Murphy (GM Cork Penny Dinners) and her staff for help in putting this post together.

Summary

Cork Penny Dinners, a venerable and vital charitable organisation, provide nourishing hot meals, warm clothing, and essential support to those experiencing food poverty, homelessness, and hardship. Operating 365 days a year—including Christmas Day—the charity relies entirely on public donations, volunteers, and community goodwill to maintain its unconditional "no judgment" service.

Services & Support Provided

Hot Meals: Freshly prepared three-course meals (soup, main course, dessert, and tea/coffee) served daily in a welcoming, newly restored sit-down environment.
Takeaway Food: Sandwiches, fruit, biscuits, juice, and water to sustain individuals into the evening.
Material Aid: Access to warm winter clothing (jumpers, hats, scarves) and essential bedding like sleeping bags and duvets.
Food Hampers: Distribution of roughly 100 dedicated food parcels every week to families struggling with the cost of living.

Location & Operating Hours

The charity operates out of its modern, expanded facility located just off Washington Street near the courthouse.

Address: 13 James St, Centre, Cork, T12PN7X
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Contact: +353 21 206 6544 | mail@corkpennydinners.ie

Greenmount House. One of the very best!

2026-10-13T09:19:56.998+01:00

Greenmount House. One of the very best!

Breakfast is a treat at Greenmount House in Dingle, not least because it is taken in one of the best dining rooms, overlooking Dingle and its bay. Service is top-notch. Your Full Irish will be adjusted to order, unlike many places that seem to note your requests but then ignore them when the plate arrives. That Full Irish, packed with local produce, is indeed a treat and another is Diana’s Golden Pancakes. Other main courses include Floyd’s Florentine, Halloumi Stack, Vegan Morning Salad and Maria’s Egg Roll.

And tea or coffee? Of course, but here, they ask if you want it immediately or when your food is being served. So we ask for it with the food, and that's when it arrives. And believe it or not, there is a dessert option, Home Baked Traditional Hot Pudding or Cake of the Day! After your opening juice, another treat to look out for is their warm succulent marinated fruit offering.

The impressive architect-designed house at the top of Dingle’s John Street catches your eye as you drive up. But it is the warm welcome that stays longest with you. It's all calm and warm from the instant you walk in until the goodbye chat. Here, you are among new friends. And that warmth continued throughout.

I have stayed in a variety of hotels and other accommodations in Ireland over recent years and have no hesitation at all in putting Dingle’s Greenmount House at the top of the list. Here, thanks to the Curran family and staff, to the comfort of its rooms and public areas, to the excellence of its breakfast (including that dining room with a stunning view), and to its location, Greenmount is well worth seeking out.

Just don’t leave it until the last minute, as the house on John Street, opened to guests by the Currans in 1977, has quite a reputation and is very popular indeed. Peaceful, quiet and with the cosy comforts of a traditional B&B room with all the necessary modern amenities, and including its own ample parking, it’s a pleasure to stay here when visiting the town and the peninsula.

Something sweet to finish
the breakfast? Why not?

It is just a few minutes walk to the area where you’ll find most of the restaurants (including the famous Doyle’s and Fenton’s), and cafés. A few minutes more, you’ll be on the Marina with even more choices. A new favourite is the Humble Fishmonger, just beyond the Marina parking but still just a 20-minute walk from Greenmount or a short taxi ride. If you bring the car downtown, you’ll have plenty of parking at the marina and indeed at the venue itself.

Greenmount is well placed for visits to the peninsula’s top attractions. For instance, the Dingle Distillery is just a 7-minute drive away, the Aquarium (5), Ventry (13), Slea Head (28), Blasket Heritage Centre (29), Dunquin (23), Clocher (23), Louis Mulcahy (24), Ballyferriter (17), West Kerry Brewery (15), Castlegregory (32 via Conor Pass and 40 via Annascaul) and Tralee (52).

Our room was very comfortable indeed, with a superb bed, armchairs, and complete with all the mod cons (including charging points for phones), flat screen TV and a mini-fridge. Wireless High Speed Internet Access is complimentary in all the rooms and the hotel’s public areas. Chocolates and truffles keep appearing (well, they kept disappearing!) The bathroom, with a bath and superb shower is equally well equipped.

Just down the road from Greenmount.

You can make your way to the luxurious public areas at any time, perhaps to read a book, play a board game or simply to relax. Here, the coffee is always on, and there is also a wine bar (bottled beer available) that may be availed before strolling into town for dinner or for having a nightcap when you return.

For more on this fabulous guesthouse, see https://www.greenmounthouse.ie/

Also on this trip:

Exploring "Terroirs Project" with Le Caveau in Dingle.

Fenton’s Dingle is super local. No air miles here.

2026-10-12T10:16:18.657+01:00

Fenton’s Dingle is super local.

No air miles here.

Dexter rump

Fenton's Dexter Tagliata

Fenton’s is super local. No need to worry about provenance or air miles here.

Dexter beef is a highlight in the well-loved Dingle restaurant and is produced organically from Paddy Fenton’s herd of this native breed. Fish and Seafood are all caught and bought from local fishermen of the Dingle Peninsula. Vegetables and Herbs are all sourced from local Dingle Farmers or homegrown on the Fenton Farm.

You can be sure that your meal at Fenton’s will give you a true taste of local Dingle produce. No need to worry about provenance or air miles here. Established in the mid 90s and owned by Patricia Fenton, it is a very comfortable, and popular, venue on Green Street in the heart of the town and the service is superb, both friendly and efficient.

I had Dexter on my mind well before we entered the restaurant recently. The rare small native breed, is reared, grass fed, in the nearby family farm,“The Paddock’, that overlooks Dingle Bay. And the meat cooked over organic American oak in Bertha, their charcoal oven.

Fenton's Olives & Onions

I had two Dexter choices, the Striploin Bearnaise with boulangere potatoes, caramelised onions, and wild mushrooms being one. The other was the Tagliata, an Italian dish (the word means "sliced" in Italian). It is cooked over high heat until charred on the outside and rare or medium-rare inside.

It is sliced thinly against the grain, having been rested for 5 to 10 minutes. The Fenton version was perfect, the tender and flavourful meat served with chimichurri, black garlic dressing, salad leaves, and a scattering of parmesan.

Fenton's Monkfish & scallops

Very happy with that gem and there was a thumbs up from the other side of the table where Fenton’s well known ability with fish was being put to the test. The Seared Monkfish & Scallops, lemon, fennel, and citrus butter came through with flying colours.

Other main courses available included Black Sole (Dover Sole-slips) on the bone, herb butter; Fillet of Hake, red pesto, caper berry butter sauce; Char-grilled Supreme of Chicken; and a Vegan Vegetarian Plate.

As regards starters, they have a limited supply (seasonal) of oysters, available in three different versions from Kelly’s of Galway and Mussels, also Kellys.

The Blaskets, from the top of Clogher

Quite a few other starters including Complimentary homemade soda scones, house pesto, butter with dip. Also on offer were Calamaris Fritos; Macroom Buffalo Mozzarella; Dingle Goats Cheese brioche; Fenton's house salad. mixed leaves, walnuts, dried cranberries, olives. We enjoyed their Selection of olives, pickled onions, the mix made the taste buds sit up and ready for the mains.

Also on this trip:

Exploring "Terroirs Project" with Le Caveau in Dingle

Exploring "Terroirs Project" in Dingle. Le Caveau Wine Tasting at Restaurant 505.

2026-10-09T10:01:20.959+01:00

Le Caveau Wine Tasting at Restaurant 505.

Exploring "Terroirs Project" at Dingle Food Festival 2026

We had a very enjoyable and very entertaining Le Caveau wine tasting at Damien Ring’s 505 Restaurant in Dingle, the wines presented by the dynamic double act of Aoife and Colm McCan, all part of the annual Dingle Food Festival.

This pic from Slea Head

Damien began to make his reputation in Screbe House (Connemara), enhanced it at Kingdom 1795 in Killorglin and is now, I’m told, in his happy place in Dingle’s Dykegate Street.

Highlight of the wines presented was perhaps the Portuguese white Maresia. It is 11% alcohol and 100% Loureiro. It has real flavour intensity with a touch of sour cherry and some saltiness on the finish. And our presenters have it christened it the “Garryvoe wine” because of the crustacean encrusted seaside rock on the label.

We had started with a lively and delightful Pet Nat from the Schödl family in Austria. That impressed as did the Safari in Natura, an easy drinking orange wine by the same family.

A couple of light reds followed. We particularly enjoyed the Côtes du Rhône 'Les Oliviers' , part of 'Terroirs Project', a cooperation between local vignerons and Les Caves de Pyrene. The aim is to produce honest wines from plots farmed organically, with minimal intervention in the winery and coming out to the public at democratic prices.

The Oliviers, French for olive trees, is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan and Syrah. The Maresia above is also part of this project. Fairly priced, so do keep an eye out for the which now offers dozens of wines from different countries.

Purchased at the market stalls

Earlier that misty morning, after a hearty Full Irish at Greenmount House, we allowed ourselves a decent interval before heading downtown to take in the food festival.

We decided against the excellent taste ticket method (that that we’ve employed and enjoyed in the past) and went for a few nibbles, highlight of which were a couple of simple crepes from a stall at the top of Grey’s Lane.

Also, as always, we stocked up with salts from West of Dingle and bought ourselves a tin of Crystallised ginger pieces from Blasta Delights, and more. Looking forward to trying out that ginger!

Supporting local in Chorca Dhuibhne. Sláinte

Also on this trip:

Exploring "Terroirs Project" with Le Caveau in Dingle

Postcards from the Western Edge. Dingle on a sunny day. Inch Beach, Slea Head and Clogher

2026-10-07T10:35:54.112+01:00

Postcards from the Western Edge

Dingle on a sunny day

The view of the Blasket Islands as you crest Clogher.

Hard to beat the Dingle peninsula on a sunny day. We hit the jackpot last Saturday.

The local food festival, quite the event, was in full swing but we gave it a skip until the following day, reasoning that it was best to take in the outdoor sights in favourable weather.

Inch Beach

First stop, after a 2-hour trip from Cork, was the fabulous Inch Beach, made famous by the filming of Ryan’s Daughter there in 1970. The car park was close to full when we pulled in but there is quite an overflow as lines of cars park on the beach itself.

The first action we saw, as we tucked into our snack, was a couple of the beach ponies enjoying themselves rolling in the softer sand at the back. Quite a bit of activity on the water also, no shortage of hardy swimmers and also quite a few paddling their canoes.

No shortage of space to walk on Inch.

Slea Head

After a long stroll, it was back to the car and the spectacular drive west to Dingle itself. The town was packed for the festival with cars parked up everywhere you looked. We had to been on full alert for careless pedestrians as we made our way through town and out past the distillery in the direction of Slea Head.

This is part of the superb Wild Atlantic Way drive, based in Dingle. We often call to Ventry Beach but drove by this time and soon arrived at Slea Head, relieved that there was plenty of room in the car park.

The beach at Slea Head

Time for another walk. No, not to the top of the nearby hill - we’ve done that in the past - but just down the hard-surfaced road to the beach, taking in the views of the jagged rocks below, and, believe it or not, a display of local landscape paintings with the artist on hand to chat.

The tide was pretty well out at the time and just one or two swimmers were in the water. Took something of a shortcut on our way back to the car park, aided by a some well-placed and well-spaced steps.

Art imitating life.... at Slea Head

A few minutes later, we arrived at our final outdoor stop, Clogher, a rugged hill that is close to the well-signposted Louis Mulcahy Pottery. The hill is not the easiest of climbs so our walking shoes and a stick each were deployed.

Sybil Head

There are different paths as you go up, most are stony and sometimes one or more may be boggy. I’ve been up there a good few times and I reckon I’ve never used the same route up and down. But you won’t get lost!

Clogher Strand, with the Three Sisters peaks at top left.

The reward, as you reach the summit and crest it, is a superb ocean view with the Blasket Islands (including the “isolated” Sleeping Giant) right in the middle. On the way down (and up, if you look back occasionally), there are splendid views of Ceann Sibéal, the Three Sisters and the local strand. Clogher is really worth the effort. Just be careful!

The Three Sisters

After all that walking, I felt I deserved a reward and had just the place in mind. Tigh Bhric is on the "back" way back to Dingle and is both a bar and also houses the West Kerry Brewery. Here, you’ll some of Ireland’s best craft beers.

They currently have a great deal, ten 500ml bottles for forty euros. Soon, a nice stash of Beal Bán, Cúl Dorcha and Blue Rose Irish PA, was placed in the boot before we headed back to Dingle and our base at the fabulous Greenmount House at the top of John Street.

Also on this trip:

Exploring "Terroirs Project" with Le Caveau in Dingle

Blas na hÉireann 2026 winners announced in Dingle.Thirty eight producers from Co. Cork awarded.

2026-10-05T16:14:39.323+01:00

Blas na hÉireann 2026 winners announced in Dingle

Thirty eight producers from Co. Cork awarded.

Second Street Bakeshop win Best in County and Best Artisan Producer, (proudly supported by Cork Local Enterprise Office)

Pictured is Caroline Hennessy (centre) from Eight Degrees Brewing, Cork
who won Gold at the Blas na hÉireann Awards 2026 in Dingle.

Dingle was the place to be on Friday 2nd October for the eagerly anticipated finals of Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards, now in their 19th year and firmly established as the largest and most influential food awards on the island of Ireland.

This year, 51 producers from Co. Cork were shortlisted across a wide range of categories, with 38 of them taking home coveted Blas awards. The bronze, silver and gold winners from the county include:

Alternative Christmas Pudding Co., Bandon Vale Cheese, Bantry Bay Mussels, Barry & Fitzwilliam, Cake Wheelers, Clóna Dairy Products Ltd., Coastal Trading, Cully & Sully, Durrus Cheese, Eight Degrees Brewing, Five Farms, Folláin, Hassetts Bakers & Confectioners ltd., Hyde Irish Whiskey, Hyde ltd, Irish Yogurts Clonakilty, K O'Connell Fishmongers, Keohane Seafoods, Kepak Ltd, Macroom Buffalo Cheese, McCarthy's of Kanturk, Niks Tea, OGAM Foods Limited, On The Pigs Back, Rebel City Distillery, SAGE 2 GO, SAGE by, Kev Aherne, Salt of Kinsale ltd, Saturday Pizzas, Second Street Bakeshop, Sibly Food Co., Skeaghanore West Cork Farm, Spice O' Life, St Patrick’s Distillery Ltd, Stonewell Cider, The Good Fish Company, Toons Bridge Dairy and West Cork Distillers.

Second Street Bakeshop was awarded Best in County, proudly sponsored by Cork Local Enterprise Office and the prestigious Best Artisan Producer award, supported by the LEO Network.

"I’m absolutely thrilled to receive the Best Artisan Producer award for Second Street Bakeshop,” said founder Claire Keane. “After starting my first food business in San Francisco almost 20 years ago, coming back to Cork and building something new from the ground up has been a really exciting chapter. Our Toffee Popcorn Brittle is all about using simple, natural ingredients to make something that people genuinely love to eat, so to have it recognised by Blas na hÉireann is incredibly rewarding. It’s also a wonderful celebration of the producers, suppliers, the team and the Local Enterprise Office who have supported me along the way, and I’m so excited for what’s ahead.”

"Cork City Local Enterprise Office are delighted for Second Street," said Niall O'Keefe, Head of Enterprise, Cork City LEO. "Claire and her team have been a pleasure to work with. Their journey is a great example of a company constantly seeking best practice to provide the best products for their customers. This latest award is further evidence of Second Street going from strength to strength."

2026 marks another record year for Blas na hÉireann, with over 3,000 entries across more than 200 categories, reflecting the strength and diversity of Irish food and drink.

This year’s finalists and winners had the opportunity to bring their products to life at the Blas Village and the ever-popular Eat Ireland in a Day market, both returning to Dingle alongside the annual Backyard at Blas panel discussions, supported by Bank of Ireland. Across the weekend, producers connected with buyers, industry experts, media, fellow producers and passionate food lovers, while celebrating the people, creativity and craft at the heart of Ireland’s thriving food and drink scene.

Speaking after the announcement, Artie Clifford, Chairperson of Blas na hÉireann, said: “2026 has once again shown us just how exciting and dynamic Ireland’s food and drink industry is. The standard of entries continues to climb, with producers demonstrating incredible creativity and a real commitment to quality. Reaching the finalist stage is a remarkable achievement in itself, and to take home a Blas award is brilliant recognition of the hard work and passion that goes into every product. It’s particularly special to see producers from across the country come together in Dingle to share their stories, celebrate their successes and champion the very best of Irish food and drink. Blas is about much more than awards – it’s about celebrating the people and community behind one of Ireland’s most exciting industries. Next year we will celebrate 20 years of the awards and it's incredible to see just how far we've come in those two decades.”

The Blas na hÉireann awards weekend ran from Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th October in Dingle, with a packed programme of events shining a spotlight on the very best of Irish food and drink. Sustainability once again remained a key focus, with the event continuing to build on its waste-free commitments and support a more conscious future for Irish food.

George's Street Arcade and Iveagh Gardens. Two lesser-known Dublin attractions

2026-10-02T10:01:48.761+01:00

George's Street Arcade and Iveagh Gardens

Two lesser-known Dublin attractions

Bombay Banshee

The gardens are a popular lunchtime stroll and you are as likely to see business men in pinstripes and sneakers as a more relaxed walker in a more colourful outfit, possibly bought in the fascinating George's Street Arcade. Both the park and the arcade are no doubt well known to locals, perhaps not so to visitors.

Both are relatively central but I have to admit I visited neither until a recent mid-September break in the capital. And yet both have been there for a long time, the gardens since 1865 and the arcade since 1881.

The arcade in Dublin2, was Ireland’s first purpose-built shopping centre, and one of Europe’s oldest city markets, is a wonderful experience! Located in the heart of Dublin city centre in the cultural quarter area it is less than 5 minutes walk from Grafton Street and Temple Bar and Trinity College.

In this enclosed Victorian market you can enjoy ‘independent’ boutique shops and stalls ranging from trendy often, vintage, clothing, jewellery, funky music, collectable items, souvenirs and much more along with wonderful dining and food options.

My search for a book, The Night of Camp David (Fletcher Knebel), brought me here, to the stall of Stokes Books. But no luck here as Stokes concentrate on non-fiction and my target is a novel. But we did have a lovely conversation about books in general and I can certainly recommend a visit there if you’re hunting a non-fiction work, even if just want to poke around!

You’ll find their latest catalogue here.

Inveagh Gardens

Designed by Ninian Niven in 1865, but with a history dating back over three hundred years, the Iveagh Gardens are located close to St Stephen’s Green Park in Dublin city centre.

Short video of the Cascade in full flow.

From modest beginnings as an earl’s lawn, the gardens went on to host the splendour of the Dublin Exhibition Palace in 1865. Many of the original landscape features are still in place, or have been restored and conserved since 1995. These include the yew maze, the rosarium, and the fountains. The cascade in particular is a stunning spectacle in summer. Iveagh Gardens are popularly known as Dublin’s ‘Secret Garden’. By the way, I couldn't find any signs for it on Harcourt St!

Also on the trip:

Culchies on the Capital Culture Trail. Visual Poetry. The Photography Of John Minihan

CHRISTMAS, TWIXMAS AND NEW YEAR AT DUNLUCE LODGE

2026-10-02T09:34:41.515+01:00

HOTEL OFFERS WINTER 2026 (inc. Christmas and New Year).

press releases

CHRISTMAS, TWIXMAS AND NEW YEAR AT DUNLUCE LODGE

– Pre-Christmas escapes, fireside dining, Twixmas on the Causeway Coast

and a Coastal Escape from £295 –
Nutcrackers by the fire

Open log fires, fabulous food, fine Irish whiskey and wild Atlantic walks are on the menu this Christmas at the five-star Dunluce Lodge in Portrush, Co. Antrim, as the luxury retreat unveils its festive season of pre-Christmas stays, indulgent ‘Twixmas’ escapes and New Year celebrations.

The 35-suite Lodge, overlooking the fourth fairway of Royal Portrush Golf Club and just 300 metres from spectacular Whiterocks Beach, will welcome guests throughout the run-up to Christmas before closing on Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day, 25th and 26th December. It reopens for ‘Twixmas’, those wonderfully unhurried days between Christmas and New Year when the entertaining is done and there is finally time to disappear somewhere lovely.

The December Coastal Escape is available from 1st December to 23rd December and features a luxurious overnight escape complete with a £50 dining voucher to savour an exceptional culinary experience from the À La Carte menu. (From £295 per room per night).

For New Year’s Eve, Dunluce Lodge has created a special New Year’s Eve Experience from £625 per room, including an overnight stay, welcome refreshment on arrival, three-course dinner in Bailiú Restaurant, live entertainment and a midnight toast to welcome 2027, followed by a full Irish breakfast on New Year’s Day. Guests also have access to The Spa’s steam room and gym, with complimentary local transfers available on request. And because New Year’s Day is surely better spent lingering over breakfast than packing a suitcase, additional nights are available for £260 per room per night.

Pink sky over putting green

For families planning their own festive gathering, The Stookan, Dunluce Lodge’s private residence, can also be hired exclusively. Comprising eight individually appointed suites and accommodating up to 16 guests, it offers a luxurious solution for several generations who want to spend precious time together while retaining the privacy and comfort of their own space.

One of the newest members of Ireland’s Blue Book and part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Dunluce Lodge has quickly established itself as one of the island’s most exciting luxury retreats. And winter may just be when it is at its best. Outside, the wind can howl in from the Atlantic, rain can sweep across the golf links and waves crash onto Whiterocks Beach. Inside, fires crackle, lamps glow against warm fabrics and deep sofas, and the bar beckons with a hot whiskey or a beautifully poured dram of something local.

For those who do venture outside, Whiterocks Beach is just 300 metres away. Wrap up and take a bracing walk along one of the most spectacular stretches of the Causeway Coast before returning rosy-cheeked to the Lodge, shedding the winter layers and settling beside the fire.

Food is central to the experience and dining here is really something special. Executive Head Chef Stephen Holland, named Chef of the Year at the Licensed & Catering News Awards 2026, describes the produce of the Causeway Coast as “nature’s pantry”, and his cooking celebrates the exceptional ingredients found on Dunluce Lodge’s doorstep. Menus take their inspiration from the land and sea, with outstanding seasonal produce, fresh fish and ingredients sourced from local and Northern Irish suppliers forming the heart of the dining experience.

Guests can dine in Bailiú Restaurant, while the atmospheric Wine Vault can be reserved for private dining, a particularly special setting for a festive lunch, family dinner or gathering of friends, surrounded by a carefully curated collection of fine wines.

A winter stay can be as active or as gloriously inactive as guests choose. The Spa offers a cocoon from the winter weather, with restorative treatments, a steam room and the Lodge’s Drift & Dream Ritual, incorporating grounding breathwork and personalised massage. Guests can also work off dinner in the fully equipped gym overlooking the surrounding woodland.

Dunluce Lodge has its own PGA-approved nine-hole putting green, designed by Martin Ebert of Mackenzie & Ebert, providing the perfect setting for a fun, family putting competition. For larger family gatherings, The Stookan allows everyone to come together for long lunches, coastal walks, private dinners and evenings over a bottle of wine, before retreating to the comfort of their own suite. Special dining experiences can be arranged, while guests have the Lodge, Spa and Causeway Coast to enjoy at their own pace.

Twixmas is perhaps when Dunluce Lodge really comes into its own. Those wonderfully unhurried days between Christmas and New Year lend themselves perfectly to a slower pace. As the winter weather closes in across the Causeway Coast, guests can retreat to the warmth of the Lodge for a hot whiskey, cocktails by the bar and dinner accompanied by a carefully chosen bottle of wine. With no Christmas shopping, cooking or entertaining to think about, it is an opportunity to properly switch off and enjoy a few days where there is very little that needs to be done and nowhere else one needs to be.

There are thoughtful luxuries back in the suite too, from The Larder at Dunluce, stocked with a curated selection of North Coast flavours and refreshments, to evening turndown complete with a chocolate treat from local chocolatier The Chocolate Manor.

Whether it is a few indulgent days before Christmas, a private multigenerational gathering at The Stookan, a restorative Twixmas escape or dressing up to welcome 2027, Dunluce Lodge offers a very different sort of festive season.

Gift vouchers are also available for Dunluce Lodge, The Spa and for dining, offering the perfect Christmas present for someone who appreciates quiet luxury and the pleasure of having something rather special to look forward to. For reservations and further information, telephone +44 (0) 28 705 31 700 or email reservations@dunlucelodge.com. For more see www.dunlucelodge.com

Old Butter Roads Festival returns to Cork City 9 - 11 October

2026-10-01T16:46:59.741+01:00

Old Butter Roads Festival returns to Cork City

9 - 11 October

This October all roads lead to Shandon as the great Old Butter Roads Festival is revived in the heart of Cork City from the 9th to 11th of October.

The Old Butter Roads Festival celebrates Cork’s unique place in food history. Beef fattened on the rich pastures of Cork, Kerry, and Limerick, along with butter churned in farmhouse kitchens, all made its way to the markets centred around Shandon along ‘the Butter Roads’.

The packed festival programme offers a mix of free, and ticketed events for food lovers, families, and those with an interest in culinary history and culture.

The festival will be launched on Thursday 8th October, along with Joe Harrington’s history of the Butter Road from Listowel to Shandon Once Upon a Road at The Butter Museum in Shandon. Over the course of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the Butter Museum will open for free with butter making demonstrations at 12.00 each day. No booking required.

On Friday evening Shandon will be abuzz with activity from a talk at The Butter Museum with Kate Ryan of Flavour.ie and Master Cooper Killian O’Mahony, the launch of the "Butter/Spuds/Cheese/Fish" Exhibition at The Firkin Crane, The Butter Exchange Band playing live on O’Connell Square and a meet the producers cheese and bread tasing at St. Anne's Shandon.

On Saturday, there will be more tastings with a Food Heritage Walking Tour, Kate Ryan talking about the first foods – Blood and Milk. The day will culminate with a night of food and folk with Butter Roads songs with Ger Wolfe, stories with Maria Gillen and with the Cronin sisters of The Farmgate Café cooking up delicious bitesize tastes from The English Market at Bakestone Perry Street.

Sunday is a day for families with special events for junior tastebuds and interests. From the sweets of Cork with Shandon Sweets and The Chocolate Shop, to sewing seeds for future harvests with Education for Sustainability and animal-based crafts with both animal origami and making pottery cows and sheep – all events are drop in and centred around O’Connell Square.

The festival ends with a talk by culinary historian Regina Sexton talking about Spiced Beef at The Butter Museum with tastings of James Nolan’s spiced beef from around the corner on Shandon Street.

Festival Chairperson Máire Ní Mhurchú said “It’s great to see a festival celebrating the rich food heritage of Cork revived and reimagined. In its new home of Shandon, this festival links food producers based in the county with sites that were once the epicentre of Cork commerce … when Cork was the larder of the world. Hundreds of years later Cork is still home to amazing producers, based in both the city and the county, and all Butter Roads lead to Shandon this October as we celebrate the best of Cork food.”

The Old Butter Roads Festival is generously supported by Cork City Council, Fáilte Ireland and Ireland’s Ancient East. For more information on all festival events see the festival page on The Butter Museum website www.thebuttermuseum.com

Culchies on the Capital Culture Trail. Museums, Galleries, including Visual Poetry. The Photography Of John Minihan

2026-09-30T09:23:45.263+01:00

Cork Culchies on the Capital Culture Trail

Visual Poetry. The Photography Of John Minihan

The stairs at the National Gallery. Only the risers are coloured. So, you see the
colours as you go up, not as you descend.

We began our Dublin culture trek with a “serious” visit to the National Gallery and ended it with a laugh a minute roll through the National Wax Museum. In between, we visited the National Museum, The Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI), and GPO.

We had just an hour to spare when we reached the Gallery in Merrion Square and headed straight up the stairs (there is no lift) to the Hugh Lane rooms and to the John Minihan Visual Poetry in particular. Minihan, who Hot Press recently called a "quiet architect of cultural memory", was born in Dublin and raised in Athy and, at 16 years of age, began his photography career with the Daily Mail in London. Soon he was shooting the stars of the art world, of painting, music (Springsteen), and literature (most notably Samuel Beckett).

All the photos here are in black and white, which he regarded as the true colours of photography. While shots of the famous helped make his reputation, he never forgot his roots and regularly returned to Athy to photograph the local characters, a task he would replicate in West Cork in later years.

Entitled “Visual Poetry”, it is an amazing exhibition and continues until October 11th. Much more info on this video here.

A few steps away, you’ll find the Gallery’s most famous painting, The Taking of Christ, by the Italian maestro Caravaggio. Centuries between the Italian and Irish artists but Caravaggio’s technique of transfixing subjects in bright shafts of light and darkening shadows reminds me of Minihan’s Black and White. I’d like to think there’d have been a mutual bond between them had they met.

Look at that head of hair on the man from the bog. Pic taken on a previous visit.

Bodies From The Bog

We had promised ourselves a return visit to the magnificent National Museum (archaeology) in Kildare Street, We have been there a few times and still the magnificent dome inside the door took my breath away. Entrance is free, do pop in and take in that dome at least. There are 9 areas of interest (over 2 floors, no lift) and we had two in mind: Ireland's gold and Kingship & Sacrifice (where we found the bog bodies).

There were three on display, from the National Museum of Ireland collections - Gallagh Man, Co. Galway and Baronstown West Man, Co. Kildare and Croghan Man.

The latter, an Offaly man, is dated to between 362 and 175 B.C. The Gallagh man is 470–120 BC while the Baronstown West guy is much more recent, dated to between AD 242 and 388. The Meathman, another of bodies recovered from Irish bogs, is dated between 700 and 400 BCE. And, yes, they found he had used hair gel.

Also on the trip:

Culchies on the Capital Culture Trail. Visual Poetry. The Photography Of John Minihan

Gold (this from Tipperary) forms part of the impressive collection at the National Museum

Award Winner Disappoints

at MoLI

I had long anticipated visiting Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) but left disappointed. The historic building has been beautifully restored and the rooms are magnificent. Aside from an extensive Joyce area, it barely scratches the surface of Irish literature. Inspiring quotes abound but memorabilia of the many Irish authors is scarce. All in all, for me it falls flat.

The lovely Commons Room serves as a day time restaurant.

Wax Museum. For The Craic. And The Odd Screech!

Shadow of a gunman, Wax Museum

We had a very enjoyable visit to the National Wax Museum with surprises around every corner. Certainly in the Hall of Mirrors, where you’ll struggle to find your way, bumping up against yourself, sometimes shoulder to shoulder, in an almost disquieting way, a way that soon becomes frustrating. But, stick with it, if I can do it, so can you.

There’s a series of horror surprises but also family-friendly exhibits, fantasy zones and Irish history and a “musical pub” with some of our best known performers. Group options including schools, parties and murder mystery experiences. It is a lot of fun, within yards of O’Connell Bridge.

Lightfinger at the Wax Museum

Witness History

The GPO Witness History is located, in fairly cramped quarters, inside the historic building on O'Connell Street. So cramped that a guided tour will hold up the self-guiders.

Stamps issued in 2016 to commemorate the centenary of the Rising

Quite a bit of memorabilia from that pivotal week in April 1916, photos of the freedom fighters and tales of the dead, both old and young (2-year old Sean Francis Foster was shot in his pram - see stamp above).

Highlight is perhaps the 17 minute immersive film that runs frequently during the day. The fighters shout, bullets fly; noises comes from all sides and the rapid screen changes combine to make this dizzily immersive.

Time then to head to the peaceful Green Garden Kitchen cafe upstairs.

You can just turn up at many of Dublin's main attractions but other places including Old Kilmainham Gaol, the Rock 'n' Roll Museum, and EPIC should be booked in advance.

French Double in Dublin 2. La Maison and L’Gueuleton

2026-09-28T10:08:43.545+01:00

A French Double in Dublin. La Maison and L’Gueuleton

La Maison, Castle Market, Dublin 2

L'Gueuleton, 1 Fade St, Dublin 2

French dishes were very much on the menus when I visited two Dublin 2 restaurants in midweek (week before last). Just a two minute walk separates La Maison from L’Gueuleton in Dublin 2. But we did allow ourselves a day in between!

La Maison

Coq Au Vin

A warm welcome ensued as we came though the La Maison doors, and big smiles and good humour continued all the way through.

Here, they promise “the best of authentic French cuisine, crafted with passion and the finest locally sourced ingredients”. We started by sharing Coquilles Saint Jacques Façon La Maison and enjoyed their version of the classic scallop dish.

CL’s choice for mains was the Halibut Fillet, Halibut is a top fish and was much enhanced on they occasion by an accompaniment of Prawn Bisque, Braised Leeks, Cauliflower Purée, Sweetcorn, Cannellini Beans,Tarragon and Kilkee Crab. A stunning combination.

Halibut

My Coq Au Vin Façon La Maison, is basically a stew and, like a few of the best known French dishes, is of peasant origin. The Chicken Breast is Braised in Red Wine, and served with Smoked Bacon Lardons, Mushrooms, Baby Onions, Roast Carrot, Pomme Purée. The hearty stew respected its roots and more than matched my memories of the dish from hols in Sarlat and other small French towns.

We were just too full for dessert; indeed a side of tenderstem broccoli was left largely intact. But the wines, both the Guadalmare Vermentino (Tuscany) 2022 and the Chateau Pascaud 2022 (Bordeaux Superieure), were both emptied.

L’Gueuleton

The following evening we were in L’Gueuleton - the word means a big, hearty feast. Another large restaurant and quite busy as was La Maison.

Bouillabaisse

I was tempted to try the John Dory (at 34 euro, as against 50 recently at Whitehorse in Ardmore). But decided to stay on the French track with the Provencal Fish Stew - Bouillabaisse - a very satisfying mix of Red Mullet, Salmon, John Dory, Gambas, Seared Scallops, New Potatoes, Cherry Tomatoes, Saffron Rouille, Grilled Sourdough Baguette.

As with many French dishes, the accompaniments play a key role and they did here. And that was also the case with our other mains, the Roast Breast of Irish Chicken. (With Peas, Asparagus, Smoked Morteau Sausage, Morel and Chablis Sauce). Thumbs up!

We had begun with a shared Curried Mussel Vol au Vent, the mussels from the beautiful Killary Fjord in Connemara. Not the easiest dish to share but we managed it very well indeed! It was also half and half for the dessert, their Vanilla Crème Brûlée with Shortbread & Black Berries.

The Picpoul de Pinet (l'Etang de Sol) was the white, and quite a good match overall. Over the two nights, La Maison made the better impression but nothing much in it!

Also on the trip:

Culchies on the Capital Culture Trail. Visual Poetry. The Photography Of John Minihan

Curried mussels Vol-a-vent

L’Gueuleton

EPIC - The Irish Emigration Museum. Where have all our people gone? And why?

2026-09-25T09:30:28.920+01:00

EPIC - The Irish Emigration Museum

Where have all our people gone? And why?

From frailty and despair,

they went from strength to strength.

Once upon a time, in Dublin’s Custom House Quay (CHQ), the old (opened 1820) warehouse held some valuable imports, including casks of spirits and wine, under its vaulted roofs. Now, over 200 hears later, this historic structure holds EPIC , one of the top museums in Europe and, having featured in the internationally broadcast television series World’s Greatest! on Bloomberg Television, also regarded now as one of the best in the world.

The CHQ was also the scene, in 1856, of the “Great National Banquet’ to honour over 3600 veterans of the Crimean War. The vets, and a thousand or so guests, shared in the enormous meal. The drink allowance by the way was a quart of porter and a pint of choice port wine.

You start your visit by way of the Isle of Senses room. It is a gentle introduction to the journey, for there are twenty galleries in all. Your beginning is an immersion in the sights, sounds, and scents of the landscapes left behind. Listen to the falling rain, smell the peat burning in the fireplace, touch the basalt of the Giants Causeway.

You’ll soon see why millions of Irish left (many not voluntarily) and the diverse ways in which they travelled the oceans to reach near and faraway distinctions and the receptions (often hostile) that they received.

Many worked for change in their new world, some still do. They became famous as writers, artists and sportspeople. Think of people like Mother Jones (a fighter for women’s and human right in the USA). Then there’s Sarah “Fanny” Durack, an Olympic gold winner and world record holder for Australia at the 1912 Stockholm games. And Wexford born John Barry who, by the end of an distinguished career at sea and at war, was nicknamed the “Father of the Navy”, the US navy that is.

And, like every other nation on earth, we had our bad apples and you’ll meet someof those in the Gallery #13 named “Achieving Infamy”. Ned Kelly is one of the more notorious and pushed the Australian forces of law and order to the limit before being hanged in Melbourne in 1880.

Mary Mallon, a native of Tyrone, was unfortunate to say the least. She was healthy but was diagnosed as a carrier of Typhoid and spent some 26 years in a New York isolation hospital. Though dozens were infected by Mallon (some of whom died) her incarceration remains controversial.

One room contains a multi-wall collage of many Irish people that left the country and many are well known such as Roy Keane. But I wonder what is that bag of Tayto crisps doing in his hand? Is it because Taytos are also a successful export?

Roy & Tayto

Music and dance, eating and drinking, story telling, the GAA, and celebrations are all covered in other galleries. You get your passport on entry and can stamp it yourself in each of the galleries, just be sure you don’t miss one!

I’ve just scratched the surface here. Best to go there yourself and give it at least two hours, more if you need to trace ancestors or explore one of the regular exhibitions. Might be best to take a break at lunchtime, plenty of choice just outside the door, and come back again. You’ll enjoy that quart of porter and the pint of choice port wine later on!

* The informative well-illustrated guide book is ten euro (five if you pay online). I wonder why it was published in the UK and printed in Turkey?

Also on the trip:

Culchies on the Capital Culture Trail. Visual Poetry. The Photography Of John Minihan

Dublin. Three Cafés Worth Noting in or near Museums

2026-09-23T13:43:54.317+01:00

Cuppa by Cuppa in Dublin.

Three Unheralded Cafés Worth Noting in or near Museums

This is the narrowest point of the huge CHQ dining area. It widens considerably as you walk
further in with generous seating and a choices of cafes eager to feed you.

Just back from a whirlwind 4-day trip to Dublin, and my feet are still in recovery-mode, but my heart (and stomach) is full.

If you are planning a catch-up tour of the Fair City, prepare yourself for either a serious step-count or an enhanced Uber bill. We found a healthy mix of both worked a treat. Staying near St Stephen’s Green, we kept our radius manageable: wandering down through Temple Bar, crossing the Liffey to O’Connell Street, and dipping into the cultural gems of Kildare Street (including the nearby National Gallery that has its own bright and airy café).

Our longest trek was out to the spectacular EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum on Custom House Quay. We split the difference—smoothly cruising out there via a €12.83 Uber and enjoying a lazy, scenic stroll back to the centre.

When you're on the move between Dublin's heavy-hitter attractions, it does no harm to prepare a lunch plan. Did you know that some of the city's best culinary surprises are tucked right inside its modern museums?

Here are three smaller spots that served us incredibly well.

1. Tír Deli at EPIC (The CHQ Building)

The Vibe: A soaring, glass-roofed cathedral of casual food.

The History: This massive space once hosted a "Great National Banquet" in 1856 to honour 3,600 veterans of the Crimean War, while 1,000 civilian onlookers watched from a gallery above!

The Food: Today, the "battle" is simply choosing a lunch spot. Surrounded by strong competition like Seven Wonders and Bakehouse, Tír Deli got our vote for its dedication to seasonal Irish produce. Despite the post-museum rush, their efficient queueing system had us sorted in no time. We grabbed a piping hot tomato soup and a killer chicken sandwich, scored a seat right outside their door, and ate while the Dublin sunshine flooded through the glass overhead.

Green Kitchen's not too far
away from The Spire!

2. The Green Kitchen Café at the GPO Museum

The Vibe: An oasis of pure joy hidden right off bustling O'Connell Street.

The Mission: This isn't just a café; it's a brilliant social enterprise partnering with the charity WALK. They provide meaningful training and employment opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism.

The Experience: The GPO Museum downstairs delivers a powerful, compact history of the 1916 Easter Rising. But when you step upstairs into this light-filled courtyard café, you are greeted by lots of space and smiles galore. We stopped in for a quick cuppa, but it was worth the visit just to catch a whiff of the absolute happiness that abounds here. Great food, great community, great cause.

3. The Commons Café at MoLI (Museum of Literature Ireland)

The Vibe: Literary elegance meets lingering lunchers.

The Secret: Tucked on the edge of St Stephen’s Green, this impressively renovated building features its own hidden entrance to the beautiful Iveagh Gardens out back. While the museum itself left us wondering exactly what the grand budget was spent on (it's beautiful, but light on exhibits unless you are a die-hard James Joyce fan), the café is an absolutely relaxing spot.

Reuben & soup at The Commons

The Food: Managed by Gather + Gather (whose Culinary Lead is Corkman Jack O'Keeffe), the service here was exceptionally warm. I thoroughly enjoyed a rich tomato soup paired with a classic Reuben, while CL found the Irish-sourced Kish smoked salmon to be just the job. Open 10am to 5pm daily, it's a perfect sanctuary from the city noise. And, if you fancy a post-prandial stroll, you've got the Iveagh Gardens at the rear, St Stephens Green at the front.

What About a "Big Lunch"?

A full sit-down lunch wasn't on our daily radar, though we had a spectacular one lined up at King Sitric in Howth until a sudden bug scuppered our plans! If you are looking for a heavier midday meal back in the city centre, add these to your notebook:

Lucio’s: (by Ross Lewis). Brilliant, but note they only do lunch on Thursdays!

L’Gueuleton: A fantastic French bistro option open every day.

The Vintage Kitchen: A beloved local gem for exceptional Irish cooking.

Urban Brewing: Located right next to EPIC in the CHQ vaults, serving up fantastic O’Hara’s brews and hearty bites.

Dublin is a city best devoured one neighbourhood—and one café—at a time. We barely scratched the surface in four days!

* We'll have info on evening dining in Dublin, including La Maison, in a soon to be published post.

** Also on the trip:

Culchies on the Capital Culture Trail. Visual Poetry. The Photography Of John Minihan

METROPOLE HOTEL TO HOST UNIQUE EVENING OF FRENCH FOOD AND FILM

2026-09-23T11:45:49.794+01:00

press release

THE METROPOLE HOTEL TO HOST UNIQUE EVENING OF FRENCH FOOD AND FILM

Historic Cork city hotel partners with Alliance Française de Cork for “Projection Gourmande”

Alex Petit

The Metropole Hotel in Cork city is partnering with Alliance Française de Cork for a unique event that celebrates the rich flavours and traditions of French cuisine and cinema.

“Projection Gourmande” is an immersive dining experience curated by Alliance Française de Cork President Valérie David-McGonnell alongside Trigon Hotels’ French Executive Chef Alex Petit.

The event takes place on Friday, October 9th from 7.00pm to 10.30pm in the hotel’s recently renovated Douglas Vance Suite.

Guests will enjoy a specially designed four-course meal inspired by regional dishes from across France. This will be followed by a screening of Sébastien Tulard’s 2023 acclaimed French film Sugar & Stars, a heartwarming story centred on the journey of a young French chef pursuing his culinary dreams.

Alex Petit said: “I’m really excited about this menu as it gives the team of chefs at the Metropole Hotel a fantastic opportunity to use locally sourced ingredients and give them a French twist. In designing the menu, I was inspired by some of the most-loved dishes from my home country such as soufflé and Bouillabaisse. It is a privilege to team up with Alliance Française de Cork which has been instrumental in some memorable events in Cork in recent years and I have no doubt that Projection Gourmande will be one of those unique experiences for food and film fans.”

Valérie David-McGonnell added: “There is a great appetite for French film in Cork and we are delighted to partner with Alex and the team at the Metropole for this event. Alex is a fantastic chef and has designed a wonderful menu that can be enjoyed in the intimate setting of the Douglas Vance suite followed by the screening of the highly acclaimed Sugar & Stars, a real French cinematic treat.”

The menu includes:

Starter

Ficelle Picarde

or
Soufflé au Comté

Main Course

Boeuf Bourguignon
or
Bouillabaisse

Cheese Course

Irish Cheese Plate
Brie de Meaux, Ossau-Iraty, Sainte-Maure

Dessert

Crème Brûlée
or
Tarte Tatin with Vanilla Ice Cream

Tickets are from €90.81 and are available on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/projection-gourmande-tickets-1990569071678?aff=od

Boeuf et Frites. Two track menu! All about the beef and the buzz at this friendly fast-paced Temple Bar venue.

2026-09-22T14:46:12.917+01:00

Boeuf et Frites. Two track menu!

All about the beef and the buzz at this friendly fast-paced Temple Bar venue.

Boeuf et Frites has a central Temple Bar location. It features exposed brick and chandeliers, and serves prime Irish steak or chicken with unlimited garlic bread and bottomless frites. And that’s about it apart from a solo dessert offering.

Despite the chandeliers and the old style gilt framed landscapes, this is a lively venue and also a very popular one, so best to book before you go. Our visit on a Monday night saw the venue packed.

We were escorted to our seats and, even before we got settled, that Warm French baguette with roast garlic butter starter was served. And, don’t worry, more arrived on our table in minutes.

Service is fast for sure but it is also very friendly and helpful and there’s a great atmosphere here.The first choice you have to make is either go chicken or steak. You may have Irish chargrilled half chicken — rosemary, thyme & garlic, red wine gravy or Chargrilled peri peri half chicken — lemon and chilli peri peri sauce, each served with Caesar leaves and bottomless frites. CL picked the first option, absolutely delicious, perfectly cooked. Hard to beat that one, though I'm sure the Peri Peri would have been fine also.

My options were the 7oz Prime Irish Fillet or 10oz Prime Irish Striploin. Six sauces were offered and my pick was the fillet with the Red Wine Jus. Some of the other sauces were Brandy Peppercorn, Classic Béarnaise, and Mushroom. Like the chicken, the chosen fillet came with Caesar leaves and bottomless fries (and yes, extra fries were regularly volunteered).

All the while, we were sipping from a Malbec (Languedoc) at €9.50 a glass, Aromatic and full bodied, it was very much at home here and very much appreciated. Despite the lively pace, there was no rush at all when it came to the dessert: Profiteroles with warm chocolate sauce. In any case, the tempting dessert was rather swiftly dispatched!

Back at Hotel Marlin, I was delighted to see Wicklow Wolf Elevation Pale and a series of Teeling whiskey available in the bar. Over the week, that beer became our friend, of course we knew it well from previous occasions, but it is that little bit better on draught as was the case here. The Teeling Whiskey was, as you’d expect, top class, and the trio sipped were Small Batch, Single Grain and Single Malt. Cheers!

Also on the trip: