Thanksgiving at the Lodge

Now that November is here, we are already thinking about our Christmas dinner, but if you have any American connections, then there is a very important meal to enjoy before then; Thanksgiving. Over the past few years, we’ve noticed more restaurants and hotels offering up the turkey dinner with all the trimmings and the Lodge at Ashford Castle, is just one of them, albeit a very good one.

Celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, the Thanksgiving dinner is all about tradition but the Lodge will also be adding a signature contemporary twist. The evening will kick off with a welcome reception of a festive Fall Cider Cocktail or Spiced Pumpkin

Eggnog served by the roaring peat fires at the Lodge.

Then on seasonally decorated tables in the Harbour Room, the festive three-course menu will include an array of seasonal favourites, uniquely crafted by chef Jonathan Keane. Think warm pumpkin soup, perfectly roasted turkey and sweet and sticky pecan pie. There is also evening entertainment. Dinner costs €70 per person with an overnight stay with breakfast and the meal costing €259pps.

If you do find yourself in Cong, it’s also worth checking out Cullen’s at the Cottage, also on the grounds of Ashford Castle. While the castle itself offers five-star dining, Cullen’s offers a more relaxed style of dining. Irish Country Living dined in the traditional thatch cottage recently and the atmosphere is so friendly and enjoyable, setting the perfect scene for the menu where there is an emphasis on seafood.

There is the option of picking your own lobster which is grilled in their charcoal oven for a unique taste. The hot seafood platter includes a half lobster, langoustines, mussles, crab claws and the catch of the day, perfect with a crisp glass of white wine. While it is lovely for dinner, it comes into its own as a fantastic lunch spot where you can lazily take your time and soak up the ambience. It’s a lovely short stroll back to the Lodge or walk around Lough Corrib afterwards.

Spanish wine at the Mustard Seed

Spanish wines continue to be more and more popular in Ireland. As a nation, we are big importers of Chilean and Australian wine, but after that Spanish wine is our third favourite. We just love those crisp, fresh albariños and bold, powerful tempranillos. If you’re a big fan, then the Mustard Seed in Ballingarry, Co Limerick, have a wine pairing dinner event on Thursday 21 November that is one for the diary.

The Mustard Seed.

Taking place in collaboration with Taste of Dublin and Mastercard, the evening will feature a six-course tasting menu by head chef Angel Pirev and his team, paired with wines from various Spanish vineyards. Each carefully selected Spanish wine will be introduced by wine expert Leslie Williams so expect not just delicious wines but plenty of interesting information and conversation.

The dinner itself is €75 per person and if you’re planning on staying to relax and enjoy the evening, bed and breakfast is an extra €60 per person sharing. Booking is essential by ringing 069-68 508 or emailing info@mustardseed.ie.

CÁIS Irish Cheese Awards

Irish cheese just gets better with age and the very best in the industry were celebrated last Thursday in the Metropole Hotel in Cork for the CÁIS Irish cheese awards. Over 30 industry experts took home awards on the night across a variety of categories.

The first and last awards of the night were two of the most anticipated. Up first was the public vote which conveyed the opinions of more than 1,000 individuals. Not surprisingly, the much-loved Macroom-based producer Coolea Farmhouse Cheese took home the coveted award.

The final award-winner of the night – Supreme Champion – was announced as Marion Roeleveld for her five-month matured Killeen Goats Cheese for the Simply Better range at Dunnes Stores. While Irish cheese has grown both in terms of quantity and quality over the past 30 years, there is still much anticipation about new tastes being created and the winners of the New Cheese category garnered much attention. These cheeses have only come on the market in the last two years and include Dozio’s of Mayo’s Barr Rua Alpine Style cheese (gold medalist), Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese’s Allenwood Smoked (silver medalist) and Kilnalahan produced by Galway’s Kylemore Farmhouse Cheese (bronze medalist) – all worth a sample.

Other gold winners included familiar names such as Bluebell Falls Cream Cheese in the soft cheese category, Gurteen Baun Button and Killeen Goat Mature in the goats cheese categories while Shepherd’s Store produced by Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers came up trumps in the sheep’s cheese category. Retailers who scooped gold awards included the aforementioned Dunnes Stores; Aldi for their Irish Mild White Cheddar produced by Glanbia and SuperValu Signature Tastes for their Vintage Red Cheddar produced by Newmarket Creamery as well as their Gortnamona produced by Cooleeney Farmhouse Cheese.

Flavour and aroma, body and texture, and overall appearance of cheese were key factors analysed in the judging process while packaging and branding were also taken into consideration within the ‘Retailer’ and ‘New Cheesemaker categories. For more information on CÁIS and the Irish Cheese Awards 2019 and to view the full list of winners online, visit www.irishcheese.ie.