with Dr Catherine Keena, Teagasc countryside management specialist
Look out for hanging clusters of dark blue-black elderberries, so much loved by birds that many trees are already stripped bare. They have an anti-viral effect and helped people to stay well in the winter months in the past. Elderberry syrup tastes delicious, not to mention the wine. This small tree growing up to 6m stands out in autumn as its leaves change colour. It supports many invertebrates, including many that feed on the jew’s ear fungus which grows on elder almost exclusively. Known as bour tree in northern parts of the country, elder is part of our native Irish biodiversity.
Janine Kennedy
I am loving all things apple this month. If you’re doing any apple-focused baking this October, try adding a local apple juice to icing sugar instead of the usual milk or cream to make a delicious autumnal glaze. I take 200g icing sugar, add a dash of vanilla and then add around 60ml of apple juice. If you’re feeling adventurous, add a dash of mixed spice or cinnamon. If you want to take your glaze to the next level, whip in some softened Irish butter. You won’t look back!
ICL shortlisted in six Irish Food Writing Awards
Philip Doyle, Ciara Leahy and Janine Kennedy were all finalists in this year’s Irish Food Writing Awards. \ Paul Sherwood Photography
Irish Country Living was thrilled to attend the second annual Irish Food Writing Awards, which took place in Dublin on 13 October. The event, developed by journalist Suzanne Campbell and hospitality consultant Paul O’Connor, celebrates excellence in food writing in nearly 20 different categories. Food and consumer editor Ciara Leahy was shortlisted in the wine writing and writing on food producers categories, Janine Kennedy was shortlisted in investigative food writing and writing on sustainability in food, and Philip Doyle was shortlisted in the food photography category. As a team, we were also shortlisted for best food magazine. We didn’t walk away with any trophies, but it was a wonderful night of celebration.
Eighteen-month-old Páidí Murphy from Cummer, Ballywilliam, Co Wexford, is busy getting his yard work done at 7am on an autumn morning.
My mom was in insurance and my dad ran a company helping people with special needs into employment. Neither of them understood the agriculture part of me!
Kirsty McAdoo
Number of the week: 22,000
The number of people who have availed of the Farm Families Health Check scheme in Northern Ireland.
Read more
A week in the country: spindle fruit, breastfeeding stats and taking a rest
A week in the country: heavenly rhyme, haws and Christmas prep
with Dr Catherine Keena, Teagasc countryside management specialist
Look out for hanging clusters of dark blue-black elderberries, so much loved by birds that many trees are already stripped bare. They have an anti-viral effect and helped people to stay well in the winter months in the past. Elderberry syrup tastes delicious, not to mention the wine. This small tree growing up to 6m stands out in autumn as its leaves change colour. It supports many invertebrates, including many that feed on the jew’s ear fungus which grows on elder almost exclusively. Known as bour tree in northern parts of the country, elder is part of our native Irish biodiversity.
Janine Kennedy
I am loving all things apple this month. If you’re doing any apple-focused baking this October, try adding a local apple juice to icing sugar instead of the usual milk or cream to make a delicious autumnal glaze. I take 200g icing sugar, add a dash of vanilla and then add around 60ml of apple juice. If you’re feeling adventurous, add a dash of mixed spice or cinnamon. If you want to take your glaze to the next level, whip in some softened Irish butter. You won’t look back!
ICL shortlisted in six Irish Food Writing Awards
Philip Doyle, Ciara Leahy and Janine Kennedy were all finalists in this year’s Irish Food Writing Awards. \ Paul Sherwood Photography
Irish Country Living was thrilled to attend the second annual Irish Food Writing Awards, which took place in Dublin on 13 October. The event, developed by journalist Suzanne Campbell and hospitality consultant Paul O’Connor, celebrates excellence in food writing in nearly 20 different categories. Food and consumer editor Ciara Leahy was shortlisted in the wine writing and writing on food producers categories, Janine Kennedy was shortlisted in investigative food writing and writing on sustainability in food, and Philip Doyle was shortlisted in the food photography category. As a team, we were also shortlisted for best food magazine. We didn’t walk away with any trophies, but it was a wonderful night of celebration.
Eighteen-month-old Páidí Murphy from Cummer, Ballywilliam, Co Wexford, is busy getting his yard work done at 7am on an autumn morning.
My mom was in insurance and my dad ran a company helping people with special needs into employment. Neither of them understood the agriculture part of me!
Kirsty McAdoo
Number of the week: 22,000
The number of people who have availed of the Farm Families Health Check scheme in Northern Ireland.
Read more
A week in the country: spindle fruit, breastfeeding stats and taking a rest
A week in the country: heavenly rhyme, haws and Christmas prep
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