Twixmas & Beyond. A New Year Reset at Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel

press releases #hotelsXmas25 

Twixmas & Beyond

A New Year Reset at Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel

After the Christmas chaos comes the calm, and Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel is turning that in-between lull into something truly special with its Twixmas & Beyond: A New Year Reset Package.

Guests are invited to slow down in style with a curated experience that blends indulgence and intention, from late check-ins and leisurely breakfasts in bed to relaxed afternoons spent unwinding with Netflix, a good book, or a glass of bubbly in hand. The experience encourages guests to pause, breathe, and savour the slower pace of the season.

The package combines comfort and care, featuring thoughtful touches like a New Year Reset Kit, scenic walks along Killiney Bay, and wellness-inspired amenities such as cosy robes, eye masks and slippers. For those seeking deeper relaxation, add-on leisure activities will also be the perfect way to melt away the year’s stress and step into 2026 feeling refreshed and recharged.

Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel  

CORK INTERNATIONAL HOTEL KICKSTARTS CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS WITH MURDER MYSTERY NIGHT

The Cork International Hotel has launched details of this year’s festive celebrations, which include specially curated shared party nights along with private lunch, dinner and party options.

The celebrations kick off on Saturday, November 29th with a Murder Mystery Night. Guests will enjoy a four course festive meal and team up to uncover clues and crack the case. Tickets for the Murder Mystery Night are €80 per person.

A second shared party night is planned for Friday, December 12th which will include a festive drinks reception, four course Christmas meal, spot prizes and music from the Derek Burke Band followed by a DJ until late. Tickets for the Christmas Party Night are €75 per person.

Guests who would prefer a private party can enjoy one of the Ballroom Party Nights on December 6th, 13th and 20th which includes a welcome drinks reception, four course dinner, spot prizes and Christmas novelties. There are also options for a festive lunch or dinner in private or semi private areas as well as a casual bites, festive finger food and drinks experience. 

Tickets for the Ballroom Party Nights are from €65 per person while the private festive lunch or dinner costs from €42.50 per person with the festive finger food options from €25 per person.

Eoghan Murphy, General Manager, Cork International Hotel: “Christmas is a great time for companies to get together outside the workplace or for friends and family to treat themselves to a special night out. We have curated a number of options for people to celebrate in the weeks leading up to Christmas and we are excited to welcome everyone to the Cork International Hotel and enjoy the festivities.”

For more information on Cork International Hotel’s festive offerings and how to book visit www.corkinternationalairporthotel.com or email events@corkinternationalhotel.com 

TRIGON HOTELS UNVEIL DETAILS OF BLACK FRIDAY SALES

Trigon Hotels has launched details of this year’s Black Friday Sale, which includes deals at The Cork International Hotel and The Metropole Hotel in Cork City.

Customers can save up to 20% at the Cork International Hotel and up to 25% at the Metropole Hotel. The sale will run from Friday, November 14th until Sunday, November 30th. The rates are available throughout 2026, subject to availability.

The Cork International Hotel is beside Cork Airport making it a suitable location for people who have an early morning flight or who are looking to extend their holiday by an extra night. It also caters for families with an in-house cinema, family concierge and play area on site.

The Cork International Hotel Black Friday Sale is offering a 15% discount on Room Only and Bed & Breakfast rates with a 20% discount on advance purchase rates. There is also a 15% discount on Stay, Park and Fly packages and a 10% discount on Dinner, Bed & Breakfast stays.

The historic Metropole Hotel is located in Cork City’s bustling VQ area and the hotel is within walking distance of a wide range of shops, bars, restaurants, cafes and entertainment. 

The Black Friday Sale is offering a 20% discount on Room Only and Bed & Breakfast rates with a 25% discount on advance purchase rates and a 20% discount on Dinner, Bed & Breakfast packages.

Sandra Murphy, Group Brand and Communications Manager, Trigon Hotels said; “Our teams at The Metropole Hotel and the Cork International Hotel go above and beyond to ensure all our customers have the most enjoyable stay possible with an extra emphasis on good quality service and food. Our menus are designed with seasonal local produce with sustainability at the heart of everything we do. We are looking forward to welcoming all our customers over the next 12 months and we hope that our Black Friday deals will give them an extra reason to visit Cork city and county and all its wonderful amenities."

The Black Friday Sale is available online at https://www.corkinternationalairporthotel.com/  and https://www.themetropolehotel.ie/

A CHRISTMAS FULL OF SURPRISES

 

 

CHRISTMAS 2025 OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED TODAY AT THE LIMERICK STRAND HOTEL

 

 

 

The 4* Limerick Stand Hotel officially kicked off the festive season with

Sample the simply delectable results of Rotisserie Cooking in Washington Street's Spitjack

Sample the simply delectable results of 

Rotisserie Cooking in Washington Street's Spitjack 

When husband and wife team, Richard and Laura, gave No 34 Washington the kiss of life in 2017, their aim for Spitjack was to reflect a taste of Ireland with the quality and high standard of Irish meat enhanced by the wonders of Rotisserie Cooking. Only the highest quality seasonal local produce is used in the kitchen, quality also in the drinks offering where you see the names of some of the finest local suppliers Ireland has to offer.  

Meat Focussed

The menu is predominantly meat focused and they also offer wonderful vegetarian menus and “free from” options, in  the restaurant that, over its two-floors, caters for everyone.

We hadn’t been in for a while and so we focussed on the rotisserie options from what was quite a varied menu. Ballycotton salmon and cod fish cake with Lemon & Thyme Aioli alongside the traditional Italian Porchetta with featuring Slow Cooked Rotisserie Pork Belly, Lightly Stuffed with Sage & Garlic, Crisp Crackling, and Rotisserie Jus.

I had enjoyed the Porchetta very much on a previous visit and was again tempted but this time I picked Honey glazed Rotisserie Roasted ham  (Twice Cooked Joint of Irish Ham, Rotisserie Jus). Quite possible the best ham dish I’ve ever had in a restaurant.

CL was also delighted with her West Cork Rotisserie Chicken (24 Hour Brined with Thyme & Lemon, Rotisserie Breast & Leg, Rotisserie Chicken Jus. 

Generous and tasty

Two generous and very tasty dishes and each happily accompanied by Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips, Brussel Sprouts (a bit on the hard side), Roast Carrot Purée, Pigs in Blankets, Sausage & Sage Stuffing and a choice of Creamy Mash Potato or French Fries

 

Number 34 is now a lovely old building, eye-pleasing rather than eye-catching. Back in 2017, the owners spent a lot of time and effort, not to mention money, in getting this place looking perfect, a place where once a medieval lane ran through. Lots of exposed brick in both interior and exterior. The project won a local architectural award for its redesign and repurposing of the historic building.

Excellent Service

Service is excellent and the staff are very helpful and friendly and the food is well cooked, well presented, and well priced. 

The SpitJack  

34 Washington Street

Cork

(021) 239 0613

Hours. Check the website to see the openings hours in both Cork and Limerick (since 2020). Here too you will find the various menus,

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/thespitjackcork 

Instagram: thespitjack

Kiwi Matthew Brownie turns his Skibbereen solo into a national player.

Kiwi Matthew Brownie turns his Skibbereen solo into a national player.

More good news for Matthew today (Nov 24th). The firm has been short-listed
as a finalist in the SFA National Small Business Awards 2026 in the Innovation category.

Matthew Brownie, Skibbereen’s ebullient Kiwi is unstoppable. Since he founded the Skibbereen Food Company 12 short years ago he has managed (among many other activities) to combine the development of tasty snack products with catchy names into an astounding national success.

The trend goes on. At the recent Ballymaloe Craft Fair, I met up with the Kiwi and he introduced me to, wait for it, Don’t Touch My Coco Nuts! Who’d go to market with a name like that? Matthew would, and has. 

His first success in snacks was the “pigalicious” Scratch my Pork (with an optional OINK!). The new Baked Coconut Clusters are quite a treat, delicious for a quick snack on the go and one or two of the clusters will happily accompany your mid-morning cup of coffee. It is another gem to take its place in his terrific ranges of yummy snacks. More at https://skibbereenfoodco.com/ theskibbfoodco.

For years, chef and founder Matthew Brownie believed he “knew too little” to build a major Irish food brand.  But if you know Brownie, you know he keeps on keeping on even when its easier to quit. He's a chef who used "every spare minute to grow something of his own. A single employee company that outperformed expectations". Perhaps he knew too little but he knew enough to keep going.

I asked Matthew where does the company stand now.

"Today, the brand stands at a turning point. With national distribution through Rose
Confectionery, six major retail listings, new innovative products on the way, and a surge in
demand, Skibbereen Food Company is accelerating into its strongest chapter yet."

These didn't last long!

Whats the driver here?

Matthew: "Rose Confectionery has already made a big leap on the brand, a partnership that instantly pushed The Skibbereen Food Company onto the national stage.Their distribution power, relationships, and ability to scale brands have transformed what was once a one-person operation into a household-recognised name with nationwide visibility. Rose Confectionery believed in the vision.  They saw something in my products and my story and they acted fast." 

Twelve years on and it is no longer a solo run for the Kiwi who says " this partnership becomes more than logistics; it’s a validation". Over the years, Matthew pushed the brand forward store by store, pub by pub, while balancing a full-time Head Chef position job, raising a family, and navigating financial pressures. He can look back with some satisfaction: "Despite exhaustion, motivation dips, and hard years, the brand never lost momentum, and eventually reached a point where national distributors and retailers could no longer ignore it."

First product, in its modest 2015 packaging

The present:

Distributed nationally by Rose Confectionery

Listed in six Irish retail chains

Selling strongly through 30 pubs

Growing through online channels

Another in Matthew's range of tasty snacks!

The Next Chapter: Innovation

Preparing for a New Zealand market trial

Turnover is now expected to triple.

The Skibbereen Food Company is entering a new creative phase, with multiple new products

under development for 2025.




Coming Soon

A new high-protein snack range developed for the Irish Market

Gift sets of Scratch My Pork Range for Christmas 2026

A collaboration with another local food and drink company

A new line of innovative products that Rose Confectionery is preparing to launch nationwide

The brand’s innovation pipeline is now one of its biggest strengths, and a key reason

distributors and retailers are moving quickly.

No Plans to Stop Any Time Soon

Matthew built the company from scratch (his original product was Scratch My Pork). He was doing much more through, cooking on Ireland AM, developing a cookbook with 50 recipes, working as a Demonstration Chef, returning to college for a Level 8 in Culinary Entrepreneurship, Matthew never stopped learning, evolving, or creating.  He's back in coillage again, this time lecturing!  "I enjoy it," he insisted at Ballymaloe. Looks like he has no intention of slowing down any time soon.

Products are widely available. For more on Matthew and the Skibbereen Food Company and the online shop, click here https://skibbereenfoodco.com/

Whiskey: Green Spot and its “variations”. Try Bradley’s Hip Flask Club and make up your mind!

Whiskey: Green Spot and its “variations”

Try Bradley’s Hip Flask Club and make up your mind! 

Green Spot Single Pot Still whiskey 40%

Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton 46%

Green Spot Chateau Montelena 46%

The history of Green Spot whiskey traces back to the Mitchell family's tradition of distinguishing casks of varying ages with vibrant daubs of paint. This emblem of Ireland's whiskey-making prowess, produced in Midleton, is very much a favourite in the country, a regular call in pubs and restaurants. A favourite here also and Very Highly Recommended.

As are two of its modern cousins: Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton and Green Spot Chateau Montelena. I have these on the go at the moment and have a slight preference for the French finish rather than the Californian.

I will soon be buying (unless I get a pressie!) the Leoville Barton. If you are thinking of buying a bottle (of any whiskey) and are unsure which one to go for, you could do worse than try out the Hip Flask Club at Bradleys of North Main Street as I did with the two Green Spot finishes.

There are dozens of bottles on Bradley’s counter with regular changes, so the choice is great. The flask gives you an ample sample (about five pub measures) and you are spared the expense of buying a full bottle - until you are happy with your choice.

Marks & Spencer launches its largest ever festive food range in Ireland.

press release

Marks & Spencer has launched its largest ever festive food range in Ireland.

More than 35 Christmas products now available in stores earlier than ever before due to strong customer demand.

The range includes several new seasonal innovations across party food and festive food-to-go, such as the Festive Turkey Dipper, Gingerbread Blondie Cookie Cup Pies and new additions to the popular sandwich lineup. All party food is freezable, making it convenient for shoppers preparing for the season ahead.

This year also marks the sixth consecutive year of M&S partnering with Focus Ireland, with 5% of sales from the festive food-to-go range supporting the charity’s work.

CHRISTMAS OFFICIALLY STARTS NOW! FESTIVE SANDWICHES AND PARTY FOOD HIT SHELVES EARLIER THAN EVER BEFORE… M&S is kicking off Ireland’s Christmas bits and bites season now, launching its biggest and best range of party food and festive sambos yet.
M&S Food lands biggest Christmas launch day yet, with OVER 35 festive faves hitting stores NOW! The ‘Home of Christmas Bits and Bites’ introduces 8 new, seriously sensational party food must-haves (with more to come this month!), including a mini version of our best-selling Christmas Café ICON! Kicking off the Christmas season sooner than ever, festive food to go is back with 8 BRAND NEW additions joining our returning Christmas classics, including our first EVER festive breakfast pot! M&S are proud to be partnering with Focus Ireland for the 6th festive season in a row. 5%* of sales from each item sold in our festive food on the move range will be given to Focus Ireland, the housing and homeless charity. With MORE seasonal STUNNERS now available which are set to be social SENSATIONS, say hello to our Gingerbread Blondie Cookie Cup Pies and Fully Loaded Peppermint and Double Chocolate Ice Cream.
M&S Food is making Christmas dreams come true… launching festive favourites such as sandwiches AND party food on the SAME day, earlier than EVER before due to customer demand. It’s official… we’re all ready for the festive season to begin!   The M&S experts have worked for over a year to perfect our biggest and best party food range yet, with market-leading innovation set to send shoppers (and social) wild. Festive favourites with a twist include festive turkey dippers (yep!), while Turkey Feast Sandwiches (inspired by our in-store Café social stars) pack all the flavours of Christmas. And what’s more, all our party food is freezable, so you can get ahead by popping it away (in the freezer), for the big day!   In our festive food to go range, our iconic Turkey Feast is back. Plus, breakfast, sides and drinks are aplenty, including Gingerbread Overnight Oats and Festive Turkey Dippers that are sure to be a social star!   And if that wasn’t enough, M&S Food is making sure this is the BIGGEST Christmas launch day yet, with more than 35 festive faves landing into the Foodhall, including our Gingerbread Blondie Cookie Cup Pies and Fully Loaded Peppermint and Double Chocolate Ice Cream… YES PLEASE!
IN THE MOOD FOR PARTY FOOD
NEW Hash Brown Topple Tower, €7.50, 530g Golden, crispy potato hashbrown fingers paired with a tangy virgin tomato dip.     NEW Collection Paella Bites, €10, 184g
Party Food Menu 4 for €3 (available instore now)
Duck Spring Rolls Indian Snack Selection Brie and Cranberry Tarts Hash Brown Jenga Halloumi Fries Breaded Prawns Tempura Prawn and Ponzu Dip Mini Beef Encrt  Wrapped Prawns Chicken Tikka Naans Mini Pies Patata Barvas Hot Smoked Salmon Potato Rosti BBQ Pork Belly Squares Pad Thai Spring Roll Halloumi in a Basket Cheese & Onion/Bacon & Cheese Tarts Vegetable Fritters Mushroom Vol au Vent Pancake Bacon Stacks Filled Yorkshire Cheesy Scone with Ham Hock Tortillas Chorizo & Manchego Goats Cheese & Onion Tarts Vegetable Tacos
SENSATIONAL SEASONAL SANDWICHES AND SNACKS
NEW Festive Turkey Dipper, €3.50, 80g                                                                                                                                                          A creamy turkey gravy dip, made with Irish Turkey and topped with a cranberry and stuffing crumb and crispy onions with salted pretzels for dipping.   Turkey Feast Sandwich, €5.50                                                                                                                                            The returning favourite and boy it doesn’t disappoint. Irish roast turkey with Irish pork, sage & onion stuffing, onion mayonnaise, sweet cranberry chutney, and smoked bacon on malted bread – yep, Christmas is officially here!   In stores now
NEW High Protein Gingerbread Overnight Oats, €3.50, 200g                                                                                                                 Packed with 21g of protein! Warming and creamy overnight oats topped with a buttery gingerbread biscuit crumble.   Mini Colin the Caterpillar, €2.75, 50g                                                                                                                           Our classic chocolate sponge mini roll filled with chocolate buttercream, smothered in milk chocolate, and dressed in a festive hat.     In stores now
Made Without Turkey Feast, €6.00
Full Festive Food to Go Menu
NEW Gingerbread Overnight Oats (V) NEW Festive Turkey Dipper NEW Extreme Ridge Spicy Prawn Cocktail Crisps (V) NEW Roast Turkey Crisps Turkey Feast Sandwich Pigs in Blankets Sandwich Christmas Club Sandwich Brie & Cranberry Sandwich (V) Made Without Turkey Feast Sandwich (GF) Turkey, Bacon & Cranberry Sausage Roll Mini Colin the Caterpillar (V) 14 Quarter Festive Platter Diet Cloudy Lemonade King Prawn Dip   M&S are proud to be partnering with Focus Ireland for the 6th festive season in a row. We're giving* 5% of sales from each item sold in our festive food on the move range to Focus Ireland.
NEW FESTIVE FINDS
Gingerbread Blondie Cookie Cup Pies, €5, 160g Chocolate chip and ginger cookie pastry filled with a fudgy white chocolate blondie with a festive gingerbread character topping (almost too cute to eat!)   In stores now
			Fully Loaded Peppermint and Double Chocolate Ice Cream, €6.50, 500ml Creamy peppermint flavoured ice cream with a rich dark chocolate sauce, dark chocolate curls, and crunchy red sugar pieces.   In stores now
ENDS     For further information please contact: john@fuzion.ie   Prices may vary in selected stores. * 5% of all proceeds from this initiative will be donated to Focus Ireland, supporting their mission to prevent homelessness and help people secure a place they can call home. Focus Ireland is a registered charity in Ireland (CHY 7220), working to provide housing, support services, and advocacy for individuals and families at risk.   Follow us on Instagram: @marksandspencerireland  Did you know we are on TikTok too? Follow @marksandspencerirl today to find out the latest news! #ThisIsNotJust #MyMarksFave