A Special Lunch in the Superb Isaac's Restaurant, Cork

 A Special Lunch in the superb Isaac's Restaurant, Cork

Storm Austen and Storm Boelo failed to stop a gathering of family members last week at 48 MacCurtain Street, to celebrate a birthday and what has become an annual reunion. 

Since 1992, Isaacs have operated here, in a restored 18th-century warehouse located (opposite Dan Lowry’s pub). The restaurant was popular from early on. The Ryan family, who had earned Cork’s first Michelin Star at the Arbutus Lodge, and chef Canice Sharkey were behind the venture, still thriving at a high level as we rediscovered last week.

So, well over 30 years here for Isaac's. But that figure is dwarfed by the previous occupants, the removals specialist Nat Ross*. They were founded in 1881 and 48 MacCurtain Street was a key warehouse. Many of us would be familiar with the company’s yellow vans and trucks. But, just look at the archways, either side of Isaacs, and you see no room for trucks but you easily imagine horses and furniture-loaded wagons making their noisy way in and out.

Back to the food now at Isaacs and each and every one -we had ten in all - enjoyed the meal, start to finish. Service was, as always, superb. Food and drinks were delivered with a chat and a smile, even when the server was requested to take a group photo! As you can gather, it is one of my Very Highly Recommended restaurants.

One of the mains specials, the Monkfish Scampi with skinny fries, mixed leaf salad & tartare sauce. The Monkfish immediately caught the eye in the menu and it turned out to quite a dish and kept five of us happy. Another popular fish dish was the Grilled fillets of Plaice with autumn greens & lemon beurre blanc.

Traditional Roast Chicken with a Herb stuffing buttered leeks, herb stuffing,
cabbage & chive cream sauce. A top dish.
Another treat was the Isaac’s Fish & potato cakes with mixed leaves & tartare sauce. 

Another well appreciated special was the Skeaghanore Duck confit with champ,
caramelised onions & herb butter. This went down very well indeed with our visitors from the UK.

Most of us started with their traditional creamy Seafood Chowder with Garlic Croutons. Soup of the day (potato, onion and thyme with Parsley Pesto) was also enjoyed as was the Crab crumble with Horizon Farm mix leaves and chive mayo. 

The core of the daily menu here doesn’t change that much over a season but, once the long list of daily specials is added, you’ll have quite a selection to choose from. Southern fried chicken wings with Sriracha mayo and tossed salad along with

Pan fried wild forest mushrooms on toasted sourdough with parmesan shavings were among last week's specials as starters.

 

On a previous visit this summer, their boozy Chocolate Saint Emilion dessert (above) was a highlight for me. It is synonymous with Isaac's and was also served in the Arbutus.  Following two fine courses, I didn't think I'd manage it on this occasion, so I opted for one of the specials instead. That was the Panna Cotta with Poached Plum, just the job, lighter and very delicious (especially the plum!).  Other sweets much appreciated within the group were Apple & Blackberry crumble with cream and also the Bread & Butter pudding with crème anglaise.

And, of course we had a drink (or two) from their long list of wines (some non alcoholic), draught beers (Murphy's and Heineken), craft beer by Eight Degrees and non alcoholic by Fierce Mild, and cider from Stonewell including their zero zero. Quite a few of the wines (including house wines) are available by the glass, carafe and bottle.

The pair of us shared a carafe (500ml) of the Wine of the Month special: Campogrande

Orvieto DOC Classico 2025 from Tuscany. Italy has 100s, probably 1000s, of grape varieties and this Orvieto blend is composed of 60% Grechetto and Procanico—the local name for Trebbiano Toscano. In any case it was quite a match for the monkfish and the chicken.  

* Now part of a broader property and services grouping, Nat Ross maintains its independent operational identity and you’ll find them in the Southside Industrial Estate in Pouladuff Road. They are still heavily involved in removals, domestic and business, and also specialise in Fine Art removal, and storage in general. More here. 

A Taste of Christmas by the Sea at the Armada.

Sebastian Schulze, Executive Chef at Aileen’s Restaurant, the Armada

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

press releases

A Taste of Christmas by the Sea at the Armada New Festive Vine and Dine escape combines two nights at Ireland’s Best Hotel* with seasonal dining, wine tastings and festive masterclasses.

The award-winning Armada in Spanish Point, Co. Clare, is bringing a taste of Christmas to the Wild Atlantic Way this November with its new Festive Vine and Dine escape. Combining a two-night seaside stay with seasonal dining and complimentary food and drink experiences, the break is an opportunity to unwind before the Christmas rush and take home fresh inspiration for the festive table. Festive Vine and Dine is available from 22 to 25 November, from €240 per person sharing. The package includes two nights’ accommodation, full Irish breakfast each morning, dinner on one evening in Aileen’s Restaurant, an Armada cocktail kit, complimentary festive food and drink activities and take-home recipe cards. Aileen's Restaurant Renowned for its warm hospitality and spectacular coastal setting, the Armada offers a welcoming festive escape, with its team sharing their favourite Christmas recipes, wine and port pairings and entertaining tips. Adding to the excitement in the kitchen, Armada chef Ibraheem Umar has just been announced as a contestant on MasterChef: The Professionals in the UK. Ibraheem will be cooking alongside Sebastian Schulze, Executive Chef at Aileen’s Restaurant, during the escape, bringing an extra helping of culinary talent to guests’ dining experience. For this year’s Festive Vine and Dine, Sebastian wants guests to leave feeling relaxed, revitalised and excited about the Christmas season.“This is a chance to step away from the preparations, enjoy great food and wine by the sea, and let us look after you. At the Armada, we will share our favourite festive recipes, techniques and kitchen secrets, with plenty of tasting along the way. Above all, it’s about having an enjoyable few days and taking home ideas you can’t wait to share around your own Christmas table.” Christmas at The Armada Guests can discover the secrets behind the Cocktail Lab’s signature mulled wine, find the perfect wines to serve with Christmas dinner and pick up ideas for seasonal dishes and celebratory cocktails. The complimentary programme includes mulled wine making, Christmas wine and port pairings, festive cooking demonstrations and Christmas cocktail experiences, all created and led by the Armada team. Sebastian will share recipes and practical inspiration through festive cooking demonstrations, while wine expert Charlie Estrada will guide guests through tastings and pairings to help make choosing wine for the Christmas table a little easier. Take-home recipe cards mean the experience continues long after checkout, with new dishes and drinks to recreate for family and friends over the festive season. Between tastings and demonstrations, there is time to enjoy the sea air, settle in over a leisurely breakfast and savour a winter break on the Clare coast. For further information or to book, visit www.armadaspanishpoint.ie or call the Armada reservations team on 065 707 9000.

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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

 

BARBERSTOWN CASTLE’S ‘FIELD OF SUNSHINE’ RAISES A WHOPPING €16,000 FOR TWO IRISH CHARITIES

 BARBERSTOWN CASTLE’S ‘FIELD OF SUNSHINE’ RAISES A WHOPPING €16,000 FOR TWO IRISH CHARITIES

-Sensational Kids and Women’s Aid to receive €8,000 each following the overwhelming success of Barberstown Castle’s sunflower field initiative-

Amanda Torrens owner of Barberstown Castle in sunflower field

 

What began as a field of sunflowers at Barberstown Castle in Straffan, Co. Kildare has blossomed into something truly special, with the historic Castle announcing that an incredible €16,000 has been raised for two deserving Irish charities, Sensational Kids and Women’s Aid.

 

The final donations have now been counted following the hugely successful summer initiative, which saw thousands of sunflowers transform three acres of the historic estate in into a spectacular sea of yellow. The €16,000 raised will be divided equally between the two charities, with each receiving €8,000.

 

Throughout August, visitors flocked to Barberstown Castle to wander through the colourful sunflower field, capture photographs and enjoy the beautiful surroundings, while making voluntary donations to the two charities.  The initiative captured the imagination of the public, with families, couples, children and photography enthusiasts coming from near and far to experience one of the most colourful attractions of the summer. With no fixed admission charge, visitors were simply invited to donate whatever they could afford, making the experience accessible to everyone.

 

Amanda Torrens, owner and CEO of Barberstown Castle, said she was overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who supported the initiative. “We have been absolutely blown away by the response and, most importantly, by the generosity of everyone who came to visit. It was wonderful to see so many families and visitors enjoying the sunflowers, taking photographs and making memories. There was such a lovely atmosphere around the Castle throughout the summer.

 

“To be able to present €8,000 each to Sensational Kids and Women’s Aid is something we are enormously proud of. Both organisations do extraordinary work, supporting children, women and families who really need their services. We are so grateful to everyone who donated and helped us turn a simple field of sunflowers into something that will make a meaningful difference to people's lives.”

 

Sensational Kids, the award-winning Kildare-based charity and social enterprise, provides subsidised therapy and assessment services for children and adolescents, including Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy. Since its establishment in 2007, the charity has supported more than 10,000 children and their families.

 

Women’s Aid is one of Ireland’s leading national organisations working to prevent and address domestic violence and abuse, providing vital support, information and services to women and children throughout the country.

 

The Castle has also supported a number of charitable initiatives, including The Bumblebee 1000, in aid of Little Blue Heroes, and the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, which raises funds and awareness for men's health.

For Amanda Torrens and the team at Barberstown Castle, the success of the sunflower field has demonstrated how a simple idea can bring a community together and create a lasting impact.

 

“Sometimes it is the simplest ideas that turn out to be the most rewarding. The sunflowers may have finished blooming for this year, but the generosity and kindness shown by everyone who visited will have a much longer-lasting impact. That, for us, is the real success of this wonderful project.”

 

Sheila Zebedee of Sensational Kids said, “We are so grateful to the team at Barberstown who have generously helped us to raise much needed funds for our organisation. We are an Irish national charity and non-profit social enterprise that provides affordable, timely therapy and developmental support for children and adolescents with additional needs. Every cent we raise helps provide services to children and young people who need it.”

 

Emma Greally of Women’s Aid said, “Every cent we raise helps prevents domestic abuse and provides essential support, resources, and advocacy for women and children affected by abuse. The demand for our services is on the rise and we need to continue to fund raise to ensure we can help deliver essential services for the women and children who need our help. This money is gratefully accepted and will go towards the funding and continuation of our services.”

 

For further information on Barberstown Castle, visit www.barberstowncastle.ie

 

Market Lane. Something good for every one in the party!

Market Lane. Something delicious for every one in the party!

An expansive lunch menu and impressive service

Dark Angel. Never miss a
chance to try this gem
at source.

An expansive menu and impressive service kept the full eleven of us in good form as we gathered for an enjoyable birthday lunch in Market Lane at the weekend. Starters included everything from Dongpo braised pork belly in ginger and soy with cucumber & shaved fennel salad to the vegan Carrot and parmesan dumplings, cavolo nero kale fried in toasted hazelnut butter. 

From about a dozen choices in the mains list, you may pick from dishes such as Roast butternut and Cashel Blue salad, cranberries, barley, toasted pumpkin seeds, mustard dressed radicchio & rocket, and Crispy torn chicken salad in a yakiniku glaze with sugar snaps, scallions, coriander, sesame and rice noodles. All those spices, nuts and seeds enhance the flavours here and each of our eleven left well fed and happy.

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The Chicken liver pâté, fig & apple chutney, crunchy pickles and toasted sourdough was the most popular of the starters but my pick was the Beetroot and walnut koftas, tomato confit, whipped cashew cream and crispy basil (above)

The Fish and chips were flying out to tables around the upstairs room and four of our group made them their choice. The chips come in an Elbow beer batter with the traditional tartare sauce and pea purée. One happy diner gave them a big thumbs up, delighted in particular with the thin batter, "no need to poke around to try and find the fish!".

Our own CL is something of a fish aficionado and her pick was Pan roasted hake, tomato, pepper and aubergine ratatouille, fried baby potatoes, pistachio pistou (above).

Slow cooked Crowe’s bacon collar, mustard glaze, parsnip and scallion mash,
carrot purée, creamy leek sauce and braised hispi cabbage

I ordered this bacon collar on a recommendation from across the table, a very good tip as it turned out and one I can happily pass on to you. Market Lane buy much of their ingredients and produce from the English Market. They also support, and have done for years, local producers such as Crowe's (Tipperary), Skeaghanore (West Cork), Killahora (East Cork), Cashel Blue (Tipperary), Baldwin's Ice Cream (West Waterford)  and quite a few more.

There was no clear "winner" when it came to dessert though it was only a feeling of being more or less full that held a few back from ordering Market Lane's famous Marmalade and vanilla bread & butter pudding, custard and whipped cream.

The Blackberry and mint sorbet with cardamom and hazelnut granola (above) went down well to my right. Me? Well I picked the Layered chocolate and hazelnut delice, white chocolate mousse, mocha sauce and toasted hazelnuts (below). After all, I had to get something to hold the candles! Thanks to the team at Market Lane for helping us mark the occasion.

Dine underwater without getting wet! That’s the promise from Dingle's Humble Fishmonger.

Dine underwater without getting wet! That’s the promise from Dingle's Humble Fishmonger.

Super Prawn Roll . They also had lobster rolls on special.

Here at Wave Dingle, you may indeed enjoy your meal with dolphins and rays and lots of smaller fish as well passing by in the expansive 3D underwater display room (or outside on the deck!). The long room is dimly lit and, on the side opposite the long display screen, long strips (representing seaweeds) hang from the roof. In the middle of the floor there’s a large rock with starfish attached.

And you’ll be well fed too with incredible fresh seafood from hot honey grilled prawn rolls to classic Guinness-battered fish and ice cold Aperol Spritzes plus local craft beer (go for the blonde). Enjoy your meal inside the display room or outside on the deck!

Indeed, that Hot Honey Prawn Roll (€15.50) consisting of Grilled prawns, hot honey, chilli mayo, and rocket was one of my choices and perhaps the dish of the evening, sweet and fresh and in a soft brioche bun.

In fresh seafood places, I’m often inclined to try the oysters. And they had a few versions to try here including the Classic Mignonette (red wine vinegar, shallots & black pepper) and also Jalapeño Granita with lime & cucumber.  My pick though as the Rockefeller with butter, herbs & panko breadcrumbs. Superb and fairly priced at €18.00 for six.

We could also have started with some non-fish Grilled Sourdough Toast (crostini), with Garlic, or Mozzarella or Cheddar.

CL started with mussels (12.50, mains with fries 19.50). And she had choices: Mariniere, Thai or Drunken Sailor. She picked the Thai and that enhanced the molluscs no end.

Her second dish was the Crispy Calamari Salad with Cajun seasoning, sesame, sweet chilli, rocket, Asian pickled cucumbers (Starter €10.00 / Mains €16.50). Quite a bowlful of these crispy and flavoursome calamari and I managed to steal a few samples. Another dish from the Fishmonger that we can highly recommend.

And there’s more than dine-in here. Most of the dishes are available to take away, indeed the dine-in ones are also served mostly in “cardboard’; containers,. And , if you’d like to cook at home, there’s also a fresh fish counter.

Calamari

And it is not all fish as the restaurant also offers a quarter of burgers.

So there you have it, The Humble Fishmonger is a sea-to-table seafood bar, shop, and takeaway located at  (The Wood) in Dingle, operated by the four-generation O'Catháin family. 

The family, who have their fishing roots in the famous Blasket Islands, expertly combine a working fish-processing factory with a casual dining experience, featuring an immersive (not submersive!) 3D underwater display room and a candlelit pirate room at Wave Dingle, plus outdoor deck seating.

Hours: Open Thursday through Sunday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (available for dine-in and popular takeaway).

Contact: +353 (0)87 476 9319

Info, including menu, here

Also on this trip:

The Humble Fishmonger

Dingle on a Sunny Saturday

Blas na hEireann winners 2026

Fenton's Restaurant Dingle

Greenmount House

Exploring "Terroirs Project" with Le Caveau in Dingle