Ireland’s G Spots!

With the first of Ireland’s G Spots coined in print by Graeme Blundell from The Australian with his article on the G Hotel in Galway in 2006, Tourism Ireland in 2007 is promoting Ireland’s other ‘G’ spots.

So, to give you a taste of what’s in store– Gardens, Gourmet, Georgian, Green, Golf, Guinness, ‘Grand’ Galway…they are constantly adding to the list so if you can think of any other G Spots then please let them know!

The first G Spot for 2007 is:

Gourmet

Gone are the days when all Ireland could serve up was a big bowl of spuds. In recent years, there has been a huge shift in food focus in Ireland resulting in the explosion of high quality local and seasonal produce.  Perhaps the most astonishing aspect of Ireland’s authentic foods is the fact that so many of them remain so intensely regional.  To eat blaas, you must travel to Waterford City. To eat boxty, head north to counties Cavan, Leitrim and Fermanagh – and when you are in Fermanagh, get some black bacon to fry with your boxty, for you won’t find it anywhere else – sounds like another language and of course it is, but of a must try for you and yoru clients when in Ireland!

The oatmeal of Macroom in north Cork is unlike any other, the sweet fulsomeness of Westmeath beef is a province of flavour all unto itself.

Here is just a taste of Ireland’s new exciting local producers and foodies:

1. Discover a local producer who’s used an ancient Art to develop a unique product range (Connemara): Connemara provides the perfect climate in which to air-dry Irish lamb.  Master Butcher Eamonn McGeough uses the traditional art of smoking and dry-curing meat to produce a fine selection of air dried beef and pork, all from local produce.  He sells them in his regular shop – ‘Connemara Fine Foods – James McGeough’s Butchers’ in Oughterard, Co. Galway. www.irelandwest.ie

2. Family Traditions Rekindled (Aran Islands): Fish specialist Gearoid De Brun has rekindled an old family tradition of fish curing and smoking, to establish the ‘Aran Islands Smoked Salmon’ enterprise.  It’s a family run business based on Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands off the west coast.  The location gives them access to the freshest salmon of the highest quality. www.irelandwest.ie

3. Take a Cookery Course with a Food Hero!(Co. Tyrone): Visit the family run Grange Lodge country house in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, and take a cookery class with hostess Norah Brown who has worked with Rick Stein. www.grangelodgecountryhouse.com  

4. Sup Beer made from Seaweed and ‘Bog Myrtle’ (Ennis, Co. Clare): Biddy Early Brewery in Ennis is Ireland’s first microbrewery that produces a beer made from Cariggeen Moss (seaweed) and Bog Myrtle.  The brewing technique and resulting taste are unique and highly revered……..OK….. says the Mole!! www.beb.ie

5. Ultimate Food Matchmaker (West Cork): Learn which foods compliment each other at URRU (Urban Rural), a local speciality store in Bandon Town.  Owner Ruth Healy is an expert in advising on matching food flavours.  The store is community based and uses only local produce.

6. The Generation Game – It’s a family affair (West Cork): Meet Tom Ferguson, a dairy farmer who married Giana, a cheese maker.  The leftover whey from her cheese is fed to their son Fingal’s litter of pigs, which are eventually used to produce fine salami and dry cured smoked meat.  Meanwhile their daughter Clova has an organic herb garden. www.gubbeen.com

7. The next big thing in Food Hotspots! (Waterford): Waterford is the up and coming choice for gourmet lovers and has seen a rapid rise in great eateries, including the Tannery Restaurant in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. www.tannery.ie Paul Flynn is one of Ireland’s rising chefs and is featured on Rick Stein’s Food Heros.

8. Michelin Star chef turned Market Stall Trader (East Cork): Declan Ryan is a Michelin star chef who has since decided to set up Arbutues Bakery, a stall at Midelton Farmers Market in East Cork.  He is a great character and produces a select range of artisan breads that include include traditional west cork soda bread. www.midletonfarmersmarket.com./stalls/arbuteous

9. Experience the new market Tradition sweeping across Ireland (Midleton): Discover the delights of Ireland’s food through its growing culture of farmer’s markets. Discover the unique regional flavours at these mad, cosmopolitan melees, which showcase great foods from gifted bacon curers to salmon smokers. The original farmers market is Middleton www.midletonfarmersmarket.com and others include the St George’s Farmer’s Market in Belfast.  For a full list visit www.goodfoodireland.ie

10. Ireland has its Dark side: The name may not sound very Irish but Danucci Chocolates are very Irish and are produced in Dundalk.  Husband-and-wife-team Mark and Michelle Lowth wanted to produce the finest artisan chocolates in Ireland when they started up Danucci.  Flavours such as cardamom and chilli are just a taste of their 40 different chocolate selections.  For more info visit www.danucci.com

The wasitband is groaning!

Report by The Mole