Blas na hÉireann Finalists 2025 Announced. Forty Cork producers in the mix at Dingle in October.

Blas na hÉireann Finalists 2025 Announced.

Forty Cork producers in the mix at Dingle in October.

Dingle Never Disappoints. Rí Fern at Louis Mulcahy’s, Clocher “Climb”, Dunquin Pier, and the fabulous Fish Factory

Dingle Days 2025. #1/3 

Rí Fern at Louis Mulcahy’s, Clocher “Climb” and Dunquin Pier, Dick Mack's and the fabulous Fish Factory

Dingle Never Disappoints

Prawn Curry at Fish Factory

A superb meal at the new restaurant, The Fish Factory, by Nicky and Ann Foley (already well known for Solas in the town), was the highlight of a "busy" first

Spotlight on Bia Beirut at Mahon Point Farmers Market, also Ballintubber Farm, Gubbeen and Emerald Mushrooms.

Spotlight on Bia Beirut at Mahon Point Farmers Market, also Ballintubber Farm, Gubbeen and

Don’t know your freekeh from your fattoush? Your maftoul from your mansaf? No worries. Jibrin has the answers.

Don’t know your freekeh from your

Anyone Remember Collecting Sardines At George's Quay, Cork (1950s)?

Collecting Sardines at George's Quay, Cork (1950s)

Both well dressed! Illustration AI generated.

No sardines today (July 2025)

Recently, while walking back from lunch at Izz Café, with our Basbouseh dessert safely boxed, we paused at the quay wall just opposite. Here, the steps that run down to the water revived memories for CL. Back in the 50s, she would be sent down from a nearby street on a special errand. At a specific time, a small boat would pull in, its floor covered in sardines. She paid a few pence, maybe a "tanner" (6 pence). The man wrapped the tasty little fishes in newspaper, and she made her way home to her Nana (a sardine lover, "bones and all").

CUSH CELEBRATES ITS MOVE TO MIDLETON WITH GRAND OPENING. To open five days a week due to demand.

press release 

CUSH CELEBRATES ITS MOVE TO MIDLETON WITH GRAND OPENING

Grilled Castletownbere cod, new season heirloom tomatoes, pomme paillasson, vadouvan spiced lobster sauce.

Pic: @corkbilly

Award winning East Cork eatery plans to open five days a week due to demand.

Look out too for new

The Food Club, the café at Fota House

"The Food Club", the café at Fota House

Reuben

In an impressive room, with a high ceiling and eye-catching timber beams, you’ll find The Food Club, the seasonal café at Fota House. 

The height of the vaulted ceiling gives a sense of spaciousness and adds visual appeal. The room can comfortably seat about 35 diners and there is plenty of room outside if you fancy

THE METROPOLE HOTEL UNVEILS MAJOR REFURBISHMENT OF GROUND FLOOR AND BALLROOMS

media release

THE METROPOLE HOTEL UNVEILS MAJOR REFURBISHMENT OF GROUND FLOOR AND BALLROOMS

Pictured are Carmel Lonergan, Director of Group Operations, Trigon Hotels; Aaron Mansworth, Managing Director, Trigon Hotels, Taoiseach Micheál Martin; Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy; and Louise McNamara, General Manager, Metropole Hotel. Photo: Colm Lougheed

The Metropole Hotel has officially unveiled a major r

Fashion, Fine Dining, and Iconic Style: Unmissable Fashion Show Returns to Newbridge Silverware this September.

media release

Fashion guru, fashion editor and stylist, Mandy Maher, photographed on the right with media personality,
Noel Cunningham and celebrity stylist to the stars, Marietta Doran, at the announcement.
Conor Healy / Picture It Photography 

Fashion, Fine Dining, and Iconic Style: Unmissable Fashion Show Returns to Newbridge Silverware this September

 

One of Ireland’s most anticipated fashion events returns this

Best of Both Worlds. Fitzpatrick Hotel Collection Launches a New Package to enjoy the coast of the capital and a country escape

press release

 Best of Both Worlds

Fitzpatrick Hotel Collection Launches a

Visiting West Cork's renowned highlights? Schull's Harbour Hotel is a superb, comfortable, and central base.

Visiting West Cork's renowned highlights?

Schull's Harbour Hotel is a superb, comfortable, and central base. 

Outstanding chocolate dessert at Schull Harbour Hotel

Schull Harbour Hotel, superbly located right in the

A Walk on the spectacular Sheep's Head, and lunch in Arundel's By The Pier.

 A Walk on the spectacular Sheep's Head.

 Lunch in Arundel's By The Pier.

Looking down from Seefin (where there is parking available), towards Kilcrohane village,
with Dunmanus Bay beyond.

Easy does it!

This Peakeen #57 was one of a few way-markers we passed on our short Seefin walk, a part
of a much longer trek. There are many walking choices in this beautiful part of Ireland.
That's Dunmanus Bay in the background.

Twenty-second video taken high up by Seefin on the Sheep's

Head Peninsula. It starts with a view down to Dunmanus Bay

 on the right, then a sweep over the land

 to Bantry Bay on your left.

Arundel's By The Pier. By the way, it is a very short distance from the pier.
If you are coming from the pier, they have parking on your right (before you pass the pub).
Take a break here, either before or after your Sheep's Head "stroll". By the way, a nearby pub, the Tin Pub,
is equally popular if the number of cars parked outside each is a guide.

This hake and chips was excellent, after a long wait. Had been expecting to see more fresh fish on the Arundel's menu. They did have smoked salmon and two variations of mussel dishes, no other fish.
There is a green grassy area with a few tables (same type as in the pic above) across the road, but in answer to a few queries from incoming customers, they said they couldn't serve people there. We walked over after lunch and found just one other couple there, and they were more intent on sunbathing. 

The pier by Arundel's

Also on this trip:

Mizen Head

Garinish Island

Schull Harbour Hotel

Sheep's Head Peninsula

An Evening in support of UNICEF's Children of Gaza Appeal at Rare Restaurant, Kinsale

 An Evening in support of UNICEF's 

Children of Gaza Appeal at Rare Restaurant, Kinsale

Chef Meeran Manzoor

On July 31st, Rare at Blue Haven will host a fundraising event for UNICEF Ireland’s Children of Gaza Appeal

Meeran Manzoor, Executive Chef,  and his team at Rare will host a special evening in Kinsale on July 31st, with all proceeds from the night donated directly to UNICEF Ireland’s Children of Gaza Appeal. It’s a unique opportunity for guests to revisit Rare or experience the Michelin Guide-recognised restaurant for the first time, all in support of a worthy cause.

Meeran Manzoor, Executive Head Chef at Rare at Blue Haven, said, “We are really looking forward to welcoming guests for this dinner seating as it's a night to enjoy a thoughtfully curated dining experience by our team at Rare while giving back. Every cent of the evening's proceeds from food will go directly to UNICEF Ireland's Children of Gaza Appeal. We hope you’ll join us in supporting this vital cause.”

Guests will enjoy the seasonal tasting menu curated by Meeran and his team, showcasing the finest West Cork produce. The menu reflects Meeran’s signature style, a thoughtful blend of South Indian heritage and European culinary technique, expressed through hyper-local dishes crafted from the finest peak-season ingredients.

Guests can book from 5:30 pm to 7:45 pm on July 31st to support the fundraising evening. Booking can be made via www.rare1784.ie or by calling 021 4772 209.

Rare at The Blue Haven is located in The Blue Haven Collection, Pearse Street, Kinsale, Co Cork,

P17 NA72. Keep up to date with the latest news by following Rare on social at @rarekinsale

media release