The gourmet’s guide to Ireland
Varied rural landscapes, the natural
shops and food markets to meet with farmers, artisan
friendliness of the people, the tradition
food producers and farmhouse cheesemakers – al of
of hospitality and the unique quality of
these highly skil ed people have a passion for food
that has been passed down through generations.
the food experience make Ireland a
Travel ing through Ireland, you wil quickly appreciate
wonderful place for a holiday.
the healthy, verdant landscape as the source of these
fine food ingredients.
The island is small enough to reach any point within
a few hours and you’ll be surprised at the amount of
Today, Ireland produces and exports grass-fed meat
terrain you can cover over a short period of time. For
(beef, lamb, pork, wild boar and venison); while dairy
such a small island, you’ll also be pleasantly surprised
produce is also an important industry, selling milk,
at how much there is to see and do.
butter and creamery-produced cheese around the
world. You only have to stand at the piers in Killybegs,
Dublin, for instance, has a multitude of historic
County Donegal, Kilkeel, County Down and Dunmore,
buildings, art galleries and museums, not forgetting
County Waterford, to watch foreign buyers frantical y
the Guinness Storehouse, where you can learn how
trying to outbid each other for the day’s catch to
the country’s world-famous stout is produced. County
understand the importance of Irish fish and seafoods.
Antrim justifiably boasts the historic Bushmills Distillery,
and is also a perfect base for exploring the Causeway
Irish whiskeys Bushmil s and Jameson have also
Coast – including breathtaking seafront walks and the
travelled well; likewise, there are few who wouldn’t
internationally celebrated Giant’s Causeway. Cork,
instantly recognise an Irish stout in the guise of
meanwhile, is a certified food-lover’s destination –
Guinness, Beamish or Murphy’s; while Irish ciders,
visit the fascinating Butter Museum, and experience
Bulmers, Magners, and cream liqueurs, such as Bailey’s
the hustle and bustle of the city’s historic English
Irish Cream, are as familiar worldwide as they are at
Market, which specialises in regional and artisan foods,
home. The history of Irish whiskey can be traced on
and also sel s everything a food connoisseur could ever
guided tours through any of the Irish whiskey visitors
need, from traditional Irish food to the downright exotic
centres - The Irish Whiskey Corner in Dublin, Bushmil s
at times.
Distillery in County Antrim and The Jameson Heritage
Centre in Midleton County Cork, 12 miles east of
The unique food experience in Ireland is far more than
Cork city.
just tasting regional foods, such as air-dried hill lamb
from Connemara, eels from Lough Neagh and blaas
(a floury bread roll) from Waterford. Visit specialist
6