press release 

The French Market Unveils 2026 Christmas Hamper Collection  

Sligo-based wine and gift specialist brings its curated hamper range to Christmas shoppers and corporate buyers nationwide - thefrenchmarket.ie

Our-family-to-yours-hamper_Christmas_

 

The French Market, Ireland's specialist retailer and wholesaler of French and New World wines and gourmet gift hampers, has unveiled its 2026 Christmas Hamper Collection, offering shoppers a curated range of wine, food and gift hampers for the festive season, with nationwide delivery for Christmas.

 

The collection spans everything from easy-gifting options through to statement centrepiece hampers for family, friends and colleagues, including dedicated Champagne and Prosecco gift boxes for those wanting to add some sparkle to the celebrations. Every hamper is built around The French Market's wine selection, with food, bespoke packaging and presentation added around it - so each gift feels considered rather than off-the-shelf.

 

Something for Every Christmas List

The range includes gifting favourites such as the 'French Delice Wine Hamper' and 'Just To Say Thanks' hampers for easy, affordable gifting, through to premium options including The Country Basket, From Our Family To Yours, or The Prestige hampers for a more indulgent Christmas gift.

 

Food-focused options such as The Gourmet Food Hamper sit alongside wine-and-treats combinations like the Sweet & Sparkle and Aperitif hampers, giving shoppers a hamper to suit every recipient and budget.

 

Wine sourcing sits at the centre of every hamper. Co-founder Pascal Bonnichon personally selects the wines and works directly with growers across France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and further afield, including long-established family vineyards such as those recently visited in Barahonda in Yecla Spain, to bring a curated, personally vouched-for selection into each hamper.

Just-to-say-thanks-hamper

 

A Strong Year Behind the Scenes

This Christmas launch comes on the back of a strong period of growth for the family-run business. The French Market has recorded a 20% year-on-year increase in sales since the pandemic, and recently moved to a new, larger warehouse facility in Collooney, Co. Sligo, to support that growth. The extra capacity means the company is well placed for its busiest season, with nationwide delivery and an increasingly prominent corporate gifting service for businesses looking to send hampers to staff and clients this Christmas.

 

Behind the scenes, The French Market is very much a team effort. Husband and wife team Pascal and Siobhan Bonnichon oversee the day-to-day running of the business alongside their team who are busy in their office, warehouse and on the road meeting restaurateurs and hoteliers. 

Commenting on this season's launch, Siobhan Bonnichon said:

“After a busy year sourcing exceptional wines and carefully chosen gifts, Christmas really is our favourite time of year. It's the moment when everything we've put into curating our wines and building our hampers comes together — the box is opened, and suddenly it's not just a box, it's a little piece of France arriving on someone's doorstep.”

Siobhan continues: “There's something special about The French Market hamper landing on your doorstep; it doesn't just feel like a gift, it feels like an occasion. We make it easy for our customers too, with bespoke and ready-made options available. We've grown a lot over the past few years, and our new warehouse means we can take on more orders this Christmas than ever before, for friends, families and businesses right across the country.”

 

Availability

The Christmas hamper collection is available to order now online at thefrenchmarket.ie, with nationwide delivery. Corporate and wholesale enquiries can be made directly through the company's dedicated corporate page, or by contacting the team directly at info@thefrenchmarket.ie or 071 98 20976, and early ordering is recommended to guarantee delivery before Christmas. Pick up is also available from their warehouse in Collooney, Co. Sligo.

METROPOLE HOTEL TO HOST SPECIAL WINE ENTHUSIASTS DINNER

 METROPOLE HOTEL TO HOST SPECIAL WINE ENTHUSIASTS DINNER 

 

The Metropole Hotel, on Cork city’s famed MacCurtain Street, will host a five-course dinner that pairs autumnal foods and flavours with wines from the Jura and Alsace regions of France.

The dinner will take place on Thursday November 12th from 7pm and is guided by the theme ‘Towards Zero Food Waste’, where the chefs serve courses including nose-to-tail Wild Atlantic Hake and a root-to-stem apple dessert. 

The food explores different seasonal ingredients and is paired with wine sourced from Le Caveau wine merchants and presented by wine specialist Emmanuel Boutard, who will share insights into the Alsace and Jura regions, their producers and why they are paired with certain courses. 

Each of the five courses will incorporate different seasonal vegetables, local cheeses, fresh fish, Irish meats and hand-picked fruits, forming a thoughtful, sustainable and autumnal menu. 

Three of the menu courses consist of a Cauliflower and Comté Croquette paired with a Meyer-Fonné Pinot Gris Réserve from Alsace; Wild Irish Venison with wild mushrooms paired with Le Clanon, Trousseau from the Jura region; and Baked Mont d’Or  with dried figs, crackers, apple butter and walnuts paired with Le Glanon, Savagnin Ouillé from Jura. 

Eoghan O’Flynn, Executive Head Chef at The Metropole Hotel said: “A lot of time and thought has gone into preparing and perfecting our menu for the ‘Taste of Jura & Alsace’ evening. We have worked closely with Emmanuel to ensure the mix of seasonal vegetables, meats and fish pair beautifully with the different wines from the Jura and Alsace regions. Food waste is always something we as chefs are trying to cut down on and to me, there is no better way to serve fish than whole.” 

Gluten-free and vegetarian adaptations are available and must be requested when booking. Please advise us of any food allergies at the time of booking so the team can confirm suitability. Other dietary adaptations and a children’s menu are not available.

The ‘Taste of Jura & Alsace’ evening costs €90 per person. For more information on the wine-enthusiasts evening or to book a table visit www.themetropolehotel.ie/dine/food-wine-events-at-the-metropole/#Events 

press release

Luna shines in Academy Street, Cork

Luna lands and shines in Academy Street, Cork

Chicken sandwich

Luna, the popular Killarney cafe, has widened its orbit and, in August, established a second outlet, also, Luna, in Academy Street, Cork.

Having enjoyed some visits to Luna Killarney I was keen to get to the Cork café. But it took me from August until the other day. As I turned into Academy Street (from Patrick Street) I saw quite a bunch of people outside the new Luna and thought we would have trouble getting in.

Pecan & Apple Crumble Danish

But no bother. Most of those outside were already seated and eating and we did find a table in the “backroom”. Not too much room in the first room where you get a chance to check out the goodies behind the glass, and place your order, pay for it and it will soon be delivered to your table, service is friendly and helpful here.

That order will, more than likely, include coffee by West Cork Coffee. Ours did and we enjoyed it with a couple of pastries (from quite a selection, all house baked) on the counter. 

Gubbeen sandwich

Our two were a Cinnamon Bun along with a Pecan & Apple Crumble Danish. The best? Well, there was an unanimous vote in favour of the deliciously moist Danish.

We also picked up a couple of sandwiches for later on. Hard to chose a “victor” from the duo, one a Gubbeen ham, salami, pickled gherkin, Emmental, Calabrian chilli + tomato spread, with leaves, the other a Korean Barbecue chicken, gochujang mayo, and crunchy soy slaw.

Cinnamon Bun

Indeed each was an excellent, flavourful winner, packed with layers of the meats and salads with the pickles, slaws and spices played leading roles. They were part of a rotating menu of fresh focaccia sandwiches (again baked in-house). Quality and quantity seem to apply here, as both the sandwiches and pastries illustrate.

The Luna Wine Bar (they serve natural wines) in Killarney, is quite close to where the jarveys gather to pick up their fares. It is a high-quality deli serving coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads with a natural wine offering and the Cork outlet is proceeding along the same lines. Either is well worth a visit!

Golden Days at Blarney Castle Gardens.

Golden Days at Blarney Castle Gardens

pics: 01.11.26

Golden lane

Cherry Blossom trees (sakura on Japanese) can look great
in autumn as well as at March/April blossom time (below)

Halloween tree

Japanese Maple

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

Christmas by Meeran, A Limited Edition Festive Sunday Lunch at Rare, Kinsale

Christmas by Meeran, A Limited Edition Festive Sunday Lunch at Rare 

On Sunday 13th and Sunday 20th December, Executive Head Chef Meeran Manzoor will host two Christmas Sunday lunches in Rare at The Blue Haven in Kinsale. Serving festive sharing plates shaped by his South Indian heritage.

Known for its intimate tasting menus, Rare at Blue Haven is hosting two special festive lunches created by Executive Chef Meeran Manzoor.

 ‘Christmas by Meeran’ brings the table together around a menu of sharing plates, made for friends meeting up at Christmas, families gathering and anyone who wants a special leisurely lunch in Kinsale.

The menu folds the flavours of Christmas into Meeran’s signature blend of South Indian heritage and French culinary techniques. Cranberry meets malai chicken, mince pies become ice cream and a classic tarte Tatin with accents of garam masala.

Meeran Manzoor, Executive Head Chef at Rare at Blue Haven, said, “I’m really excited to bring a different side of Rare to life with these special Christmas Sunday lunches. It’s a great opportunity to showcase Rare in a relaxed way while staying true to the creativity and quality the team are known for. I have some exciting dishes and ideas planned for the afternoon, and I’m really looking forward to welcoming guests and seeing them enjoy this new experience at Rare.”

Among the dishes on the sample menu are malai chicken chops with cranberry relish and mint chutney, beef short rib with bone marrow masala and pine nut pangrattato, lobster bonda with shellfish bisque and preserved lemon sabayon, confit duck leg biryani with pistachio, and truffle and cream cheese naan. To finish, guests can choose from white chocolate and cardamom crémeux with clementine sorbet, warm spiced date cake with mince pie ice cream, or apple tarte Tatin with garam masala ice cream. The menu is subject to change.

Christmas by Meeran takes place on Sunday 13th and Sunday 20th December, with sittings at 1 pm and 3.30 pm. Sharing plates are priced from €12 to €28. Places are limited, and bookings can be made online at www.rare1784.ie or by calling 021 477 2209.

Rare at The Blue Haven is located within The Blue Haven Hotel, Pearse Street, Kinsale, Co. Cork, P17 NA72. Keep up to date with the latest news by following Rare on social media at @rarekinsale.

media release

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.