Plan a tasty break with friends and get your fill visiting delicious food producers in some of the most beautiful parts of the country. Here are 10 delicious ways to get a great taste of Ireland - but find more on the menu at www.discoverireland.ie
Melt in the Chocolate Garden of Ireland
Gather the gang for a delicious meltdown at The Chocolate Garden of Ireland between beautiful Tullow and Shillelagh in south West Wicklow. Drool at the irresistible chocolate creations. and salivate as your tastebuds dance with sensuous dark Amaretto, or an irresistible Irish truffle flavoured with Kilbeggan whiskey from Westmeath. Sign up for a chocolate workshop, drop into nearby Altamount Garden or try a round of golf in Mount Wolsey Hotel Spa and country club.
Get fishy in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny
Fancy some caviar Irish style? Then make for picturesque Thomastown in Co. Kilkenny to taste Ireland's only caviar at Goatsbridge Trout Farm. Produced from the roe of farmed trout, visitors will also learn about the life cycle of a trout and can sign up to one of the exciting new Smoking Workshops. Ten minutes away is the medieval city of Kilkenny with its buzzing restaurants and pubs full of craic and cheers!
Be on fire in Heir Island, Co. Cork
Escape the stresses of daily life and take the ferry to magical Heir Island in Co. Cork to learn the art of perfect bread baking at Firehouse Bakery. Chef and baker Patrick Ryan will bring you on an unforgettable hands-on journey baking perfect cob loaves, pizza bread, flat bread, and yummy cinnamon swirls. Why not make a mini break of it and take in the beauty of Heir Island and West Cork.
Melt in Dingle, Co Kerry
You are promised the best ice cream you have ever tasted at Murphy's Ice-cream in Dingle, Co. Kerry. Tuck into the divine treats in the cheerful blue and white fronted Ice-cream parlour and café near the towns fishing harbour. Murphys don't use colourings, flavourings, or powdered milk but lots of local cream, free range eggs, and organic sugar. They temper chocolate, infuse alcohol, and scrape vanilla beans by hand and even make their own salt from local sea water! After you have had your fill try some sea kayaking in Dingle Harbour with Irish Adventures.
Get cheesy in Co. Meath
Set the sat nav for the rolling hills of Co Meath and the headquarters of the famous Sheridan's Cheesemongers stocking the best selection of quality cheeses, foods and wines in Ireland. The shop is in the splendid restored Virginia Road railway station in Pottlereagh, near Kells. Enjoy refreshments in the new Bakealicious ‘Pop-up Tearooms‘ with a yummy selection of cakes and bakes. Visit the Battle of the Boyne Centre in nearby Oldbridge and learn of the historic battle between two rival kings in 1690.
Cook up a storm in Cloughjordan
Gather a gang of friends and head to the heart of Ireland, and the peaceful setting of Cloughjordan House in Co. Tipperary for hands-on, convivial cookery classes using the finest of locally produced ingredients. Owners Peter and Sarah Baker use ingredients sourced from the Tipperary Producers Group, the Cloughjordan Village Community farm and their Victorian walled garden. Why not stay in the stylish 400-year-old country house or in the rooms over the cookery school.
Be sweet on cider!
Head for Highbank Orchards near Cuffesgrange in Co. Kilkenny where owners Julie and Rod Calder Potts will be there to guide you around their splendid farm and to bring you on a journey of divine tastings. Get high on Highbank Orchard Syrup, Ireland's answer to maple syrup. Savour the crisp taste of their organic craft ciders including Highbank Medieval Cider blended with organic honey to produce a drink with subtle sweet overtones. There is also a Drivers Cider so the designated driver won't feel left out! Highbank is part of the Kilkenny Food Trail so pick up a map and visit some of the other top class producers in the area.
Brew up a storm in Ballyshannon
Brew up a storm at The Donegal Brewing Company in beautiful Ballyshannon in Co. Donegal. Based in the garden of the landmark Dicey Relly's pub, sitting high on the banks of the Erne, indulge in some amazing craft beer including Donegal Blonde, Atlantic Amber Ale, Sea Sessions Pale Ale, and new North & South of the River beer. The brewery will organise workshops and tastings. Ballyshannon is the birthplace of the world's greatest guitarist Rory Gallagher, with a statue in his honour in the town.
