Close out the summer with the Donegal Camino, a seven-day walking festival now in its fifth year. Set against the stunning backdrop of an untouched part of Ireland, the fundraising walk takes in view points, sloping hills and coastal routes. And all fundraising goes towards a great charity, the Cancer Care West Support Centre, which delivers counselling services and related supports for those on a cancer journey across county Donegal. The Camino opens at Shrove Beach on Inishowen on Sunday 31 August and finishes on Sliabh Liag on Saturday 6 September. RS
See donegalcamino.ie.
Deirdre McGlone, Noel Cunningham and Peggy Stringer from the Donegal Camino organising committee.
Baker Graham Herterich – better known as ‘The Cupcake Bloke’ – is returning to his roots with a new venture in his hometown of Athy. His latest project, Ernie’s, will be a café and retail space nestled inside the soon-to-open Shackleton Museum, a world-class facility dedicated to the legendary polar explorer, Ernest Shackleton, who was born close to the town.Born and raised in Athy, Co Kildare, above his family’s butcher shop, Graham says the move marks a full-circle journey. “Coming back as an adult, I saw how vibrant the town has become. It’s completely changed.” A pop-up food event in Athy two years ago rekindled his connection, inspiring him to make the move permanent. Ernie’s is due to open this October alongside the museum.
See ernie’s-athy on Instagram for more and shackletonmuseum.com. AK
Baker Graham Herterich – better known as ‘The Cupcake Bloke’.
In an era where news cycles are running to keep apace with the latest geopolitical developments, has there ever been a better time to take a breath and ask the question: what can we learn from the past? This is the theme of the third annual Thomas MacDonagh Hedge School taking place at the Thomas MacDonagh Museum in Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary this autumn. The four day programme running from 17-20 September includes writing workshops, an art exhibition, talks and poetry readings, all focused on what the past can teach us about responding to the future. See eventbrite.ie. RS
Dr Ailbhe McDaid of Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, will discuss how poets respond to different political events.
Here at Irish Country Living HQ we’re fond of a slice of bread or two – but sometimes bread isn’t so fond of us. That’s why it’s a treat to have such a brilliant alternative as The Best Free From Seeded Bread Mix (300g, €10), packed with sunflower, pumpkin, and flax seeds. Created by Roscommon-based food innovator Tímea Kovacs, this easy to bake at home bread delivers a hearty loaf with a rich, nutty flavour and satisfying texture – free from gluten, yeast, preservatives, or added sugar. It’s easy to see why this award-winning bread is the toast of the town for coeliacs, diabetics, and health conscious foodies alike.
See thebestfreefrom.com. AK
The Best Free From’s Seeded Bread Mix is packed with nutrition, including sunflower, pumpkin, and flax seeds.
Where better to host a Food and Cider Weekend than the Orchard County of Armagh? The food and drink festival, taking place from 4 to 7 September, puts the Armagh Bramley Apple centre stage. And rightly so, as one of the only Irish products to enjoy Protected Geographical Indication status by the EU. There is a blend of over forty (free and ticketed) events to choose from, including apple-picking tours, orchard lunches and cider sampling. One highlight this year is a ‘Plot to Plate’ dinner at Crannagael House, where chef Gareth Reid will create a seasonal, sustainable menu using local produce - including apples from the estate’s historic Bramley Orchard.
See experiences.//visitarmagh.com. RS
John and Jane Nicholson, whose ancestors planted the first Bramley Apple seedling in Co Armagh, are hosting a Supper Club at Crannagael House during Armagh Food and Cider weekend.
Summer Has Flown...By Áine Ní Guinane
It’s time for a heartfelt goodbye
To our summer visitors from near and far
Their tasks complete they now must go,
Overcame all humans’ obstacles in their paths, so...
Ring Ouzels, Hen Harriers, even a Merlin or two.
Barn Swallows remain to train their young.
Goodbye and Good Luck to one and all.
May your journey be simple and not a long haul.
Now in come the locals...the Sparrowhawks,
Buzzards hovering above the horizon, even a Kestrel.
Nature needs no human intervention
Just a little space, respect and personal attention.
Hoot, Hoot...Don’t Pollute sayeth a wise old owl
Watching all from the fringe of a mature forest.
While twilight surrounds us with a dark velvet cloak,
The bats fly out to forage and frogs give a farewell croak.
The winner of our sparkling afternoon tea for two at the beautiful Lawlor’s of Naas in Co Kildare is Mary Liston, Banogue Croom, Co Limerick.
Close out the summer with the Donegal Camino, a seven-day walking festival now in its fifth year. Set against the stunning backdrop of an untouched part of Ireland, the fundraising walk takes in view points, sloping hills and coastal routes. And all fundraising goes towards a great charity, the Cancer Care West Support Centre, which delivers counselling services and related supports for those on a cancer journey across county Donegal. The Camino opens at Shrove Beach on Inishowen on Sunday 31 August and finishes on Sliabh Liag on Saturday 6 September. RS
See donegalcamino.ie.
Deirdre McGlone, Noel Cunningham and Peggy Stringer from the Donegal Camino organising committee.
Baker Graham Herterich – better known as ‘The Cupcake Bloke’ – is returning to his roots with a new venture in his hometown of Athy. His latest project, Ernie’s, will be a café and retail space nestled inside the soon-to-open Shackleton Museum, a world-class facility dedicated to the legendary polar explorer, Ernest Shackleton, who was born close to the town.Born and raised in Athy, Co Kildare, above his family’s butcher shop, Graham says the move marks a full-circle journey. “Coming back as an adult, I saw how vibrant the town has become. It’s completely changed.” A pop-up food event in Athy two years ago rekindled his connection, inspiring him to make the move permanent. Ernie’s is due to open this October alongside the museum.
See ernie’s-athy on Instagram for more and shackletonmuseum.com. AK
Baker Graham Herterich – better known as ‘The Cupcake Bloke’.
In an era where news cycles are running to keep apace with the latest geopolitical developments, has there ever been a better time to take a breath and ask the question: what can we learn from the past? This is the theme of the third annual Thomas MacDonagh Hedge School taking place at the Thomas MacDonagh Museum in Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary this autumn. The four day programme running from 17-20 September includes writing workshops, an art exhibition, talks and poetry readings, all focused on what the past can teach us about responding to the future. See eventbrite.ie. RS
Dr Ailbhe McDaid of Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, will discuss how poets respond to different political events.
Here at Irish Country Living HQ we’re fond of a slice of bread or two – but sometimes bread isn’t so fond of us. That’s why it’s a treat to have such a brilliant alternative as The Best Free From Seeded Bread Mix (300g, €10), packed with sunflower, pumpkin, and flax seeds. Created by Roscommon-based food innovator Tímea Kovacs, this easy to bake at home bread delivers a hearty loaf with a rich, nutty flavour and satisfying texture – free from gluten, yeast, preservatives, or added sugar. It’s easy to see why this award-winning bread is the toast of the town for coeliacs, diabetics, and health conscious foodies alike.
See thebestfreefrom.com. AK
The Best Free From’s Seeded Bread Mix is packed with nutrition, including sunflower, pumpkin, and flax seeds.
Where better to host a Food and Cider Weekend than the Orchard County of Armagh? The food and drink festival, taking place from 4 to 7 September, puts the Armagh Bramley Apple centre stage. And rightly so, as one of the only Irish products to enjoy Protected Geographical Indication status by the EU. There is a blend of over forty (free and ticketed) events to choose from, including apple-picking tours, orchard lunches and cider sampling. One highlight this year is a ‘Plot to Plate’ dinner at Crannagael House, where chef Gareth Reid will create a seasonal, sustainable menu using local produce - including apples from the estate’s historic Bramley Orchard.
See experiences.//visitarmagh.com. RS
John and Jane Nicholson, whose ancestors planted the first Bramley Apple seedling in Co Armagh, are hosting a Supper Club at Crannagael House during Armagh Food and Cider weekend.
Summer Has Flown...By Áine Ní Guinane
It’s time for a heartfelt goodbye
To our summer visitors from near and far
Their tasks complete they now must go,
Overcame all humans’ obstacles in their paths, so...
Ring Ouzels, Hen Harriers, even a Merlin or two.
Barn Swallows remain to train their young.
Goodbye and Good Luck to one and all.
May your journey be simple and not a long haul.
Now in come the locals...the Sparrowhawks,
Buzzards hovering above the horizon, even a Kestrel.
Nature needs no human intervention
Just a little space, respect and personal attention.
Hoot, Hoot...Don’t Pollute sayeth a wise old owl
Watching all from the fringe of a mature forest.
While twilight surrounds us with a dark velvet cloak,
The bats fly out to forage and frogs give a farewell croak.
The winner of our sparkling afternoon tea for two at the beautiful Lawlor’s of Naas in Co Kildare is Mary Liston, Banogue Croom, Co Limerick.
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