Monday, September 7, 2026

All the food and fun of FeastCork 2026.

 FeastCork 2026. All the food and fun from yesterday

All pics by Joleen Cronin 06.09.2026

Clodagh Neville, aged 5, from Midleton, with Róisín Bergin, host of Zumbini,
in the Family Fun Zone at fEast Cork 2026.



Barbara Hegarty and Aoibhinn Hayes of

Sunday, September 6, 2026

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

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

Friday, September 4, 2026

Killarney abuzz as glorious summer morphs into golden autumn

Killarney abuzz as glorious summer morphs into golden autumn

Muckross gardens

An August morning stroll in Killarney

Afternoon visits to Killarney House and Muckross Gardens


Killarney is abuzz as glorious summer turns into golden autumn. We were there briefly last week and amazed to see the activity. Take Kenmare Place as an example. All the outdoor seating here, and there is quite a lot of it, was packed from morning into the evening, all enjoying

Thursday, September 3, 2026

DUNLUCE LODGE UNVEILS AUTUMN SERIES OF FOOD AND WINE EXPERIENCES

 DUNLUCE LODGE UNVEILS AUTUMN SERIES OF FOOD AND WINE EXPERIENCES

Wine Vault

 

-Award-winning Executive Head Chef Stephen Holland puts the flavours of Northern Ireland centre stage at the five-star Portrush retreat-

 

Food lovers looking for an excuse to escape to the North Coast of Ireland this autumn can add Dunluce Lodge in Portrush to their diary, as the five-star hotel unveils a trio of special food and wine experiences celebrating exceptional local produce, international wines and some of the region’s finest culinary talent.

The intimate 35-suite Dunluce Lodge, overlooking the fourth fairway of Royal Portrush Golf Club and close to Whiterocks Beach, has quickly established itself as one of

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Vendricks, a name to remember when you visit Killarney.

 Vendricks, a name to remember when you visit Killarney

Prawns

Small plates are certainly having their moment on Irish restaurant menus. We had the most delicious illustration of this trend last week at Vendricks in Killarney.


Their small plates are called tapas, as is done in many other places, and one can be your starter, if you wish, as Vendricks also do the full a la carte and indeed have some

Saturday, August 29, 2026

Cork. Walk the Island

 


Cork City. Walk the Island.

A work in progress. #walktheisland

Patrick's Bridge




St Mary's, Pope's Quay



St Vincent's Church (Sunday's Well) with the
eponymous bridge in foreground





Mardyke walk begins here at North Mall end and continues to
George Richard Pain's Wellington Bridge, now known as
Thomas Davis Bridge.



Yoga session beginning in Fitzgerald Park


Sunday's Well house from Fitzgerald Park



The Shaky Bridge (officially Daly's Bridge)



County Hall and the Lee, from the Mardyke walk.



County Hall, from just west of Wellington Bridge



The South Channel begins


Kingsley Hotel  (right) and County Hall


Pedestrian Bridge linking the Bon Secours hospital complex
with UCC and Pink Clinic. 




Riverside. Just inside the UCC Western Road gates.


Bridge where the South Channel finds its way under Donovan's Road.



Walk the island is a work in progress. #walktheisland

Wise monkeys


Lapps Quay, including the curved Clarion Hotel

College of Commerce - getting higher!

Topical banner at Connolly Hall.

The new Cumann na mBan pedestrian bridge, over the south channel.

Parliament Bridge



South Gate Bridge




The Merchant (previously Electric)

Bridge and the Unio Building.

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

The Lodge Myrtleville - not just a pretty picture!

The Lodge Myrtleville - not just a pretty picture!

The Lodge in Myrtleville has a lofty location overlooking the bay and the mouth of Cork Harbour where cruise liners, ferries and working ships, glide by. You can see across to Roche’s Point at the other side of the harbour.

It is not the only pretty picture you’ll see here in the elevated

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Killarney's Pig’s Lane named Bar Of The Year 2026. Cork Heritage Pubs named Pub Group of the Year

Top Bars Revealed in 2026 Awards

2026 The Square Bar of the Year Awards in Ireland

#barawards2026

PUB GROUP OF THE YEAR GOLD FOR CORK HERITAGE PUBS

- Pig’s Lane in Co. Kerry was named

Sunday, August 23, 2026

The Residence at The Kingsley now welcoming short-stay guests

press release

The Residence at The Kingsley now welcoming short-stay guests


The Kingsley is a luxury four-star urban retreat in Cork, with lovely riverside views and a peaceful setting along the banks of the River Lee. Right next door to the hotel, The Residence at The Kingsley is a series of comfortable and stylish self-catering and serviced apartments, ideal for

Friday, August 21, 2026

Collaboration Dinner: Gloria Osteria X Restaurant Chestnut - 20th September

Collaboration Dinner: Gloria Osteria X Restaurant Chestnut - 20th September


Gloria Osteria and Chef Davide are delighted to welcome West Cork culinary royalty, Rob Krawczyk and the Restaurant Chestnut team for one night only on September 20th.

Making the journey from Ballydehob to

Thursday, August 20, 2026

Youghal lacks nothing when it comes to good food and drink!

Youghal lacks nothing when it comes to good food and drink 

Aherne’s new owners hit the ground running!

A cross-section of this delicious Baked Alaska reveals
the amazing raspberry sorbet at the heart of it!

It’s been the smoothest of transitions as the Fitzgibbon’s bowed out of their decades long association with Aherne’s restaurant and townhouse in Youghal. At first glance you’d hardly know, though the building on the town’s North Main Street has a new pink robe. Experienced restaurant operators, the Finns, successful with Dillon’s in Timoleague and, more recently, with Finns’ Farm Cuts in Kinsale, have hit the

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

BARBERSTOWN CASTLE PLANTS A FIELD OF SUNSHINE FOR SENSATIONAL KIDS AND WOMEN’S AID


BARBERSTOWN CASTLE PLANTS A FIELD OF SUNSHINE FOR SENSATIONAL KIDS AND WOMEN’S AID

Thousands of sunflowers bloom across three acres of the historic Kildare estate to raise funds for two Irish charities

Amanda Torrens, CEO and owner of Barberstown Castle

 

There is a spectacular new reason to visit Barberstown Castle this

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Moët & Chandon Champagnes Paired with Indian Flavours in Rare, Kinsale.

press release

Moët & Chandon Champagnes Paired with Indian Flavours in Kinsale.

Innovative Pairings. Not just Oyster and Lobster.


A Five-Course Tasting Menu, Paired with Moët & Chandon Champagnes, at Rare at The Blue Haven, Kinsale

Rare at Blue Haven invites guests to a specially created five-course tasting menu from Executive Head Chef Meeran Manzoor, thoughtfully paired with a variety of Moët & Chandon Champagne by acclaimed sommelier Julie Dupouy, on Friday 18th September.

Each course has been designed around the character of a different Champagne from Moët & Chandon's range — Brut Impérial, Rosé Impérial, Grand Vintage and Ice Impérial — with Meeran building the menu from the pairing outward, rather than selecting wines to match finished dishes.

Meeran takes a considered approach to pairing his food with Champagne, ensuring the spice and intensity of each dish never overpower the delicate flavours of the wine. Rather than having the Champagne sit alongside the food, he incorporates its character directly into the pairing, balancing spice, acidity, richness and texture so that food and Champagne complement one another.

He says, "When I'm building the pairing menu, I look closely at the balance of acid, spice and fat, and how those elements will work with the Champagne. Whether it's butter-rich sauces, fresh citrus, a light coconut and shellfish bisque, or crispy garnishes that add texture and lift, every element has a role to play. I want the food to feel unmistakably Rare, with our core values and style coming through, while allowing enough freshness, richness and balance for the Moët to shine. Ultimately, it's about creating harmony between the food and the Champagne, so neither feels like an afterthought, and both elevate the overall experience."

Guiding guests through the evening will be Julie Dupouy, one of Ireland's leading sommeliers, four-time winner of Ireland's Best Sommelier and a bronze medallist at the ASI World Sommelier Championship.

Speaking about the pairings, Julie says, "We chose these Champagnes because they each bring something different to Meeran's cooking. The Brut gives us freshness and acidity, the Rosé brings a little more fruit and depth, while the Grand Vintage has the structure and complexity to work with his more layered dishes. The Ice works beautifully with spice, citrus and brighter flavours. What's important for us is that the Champagne and the food feel connected — that neither one dominates, but that each brings something out of the other to create a memorable experience for our guests."

Tickets for the tasting menu and Champagne pairing evening at Rare are €165 per person. With very limited availability, guests are advised to book early. For bookings, email bookings@bluehavenkinsale.com or find out more at www.bluehavenkinsale.com.

Follow Rare at Blue Haven on social at @rarekinsale for the latest news and updates.