Search Results for 'Aran McMahon'

The village of Cong in County Mayo is famous as the location where much of The Quiet Man was filmed. Although you can retrace the steps of the actors throughout the town, Cong is so much more than just a movie set for tourists. The village is small and intimate with friendly pubs. There are the ruins of the old abbey right in the town to explore, and a path along the river where you can stroll through one of the loveliest woods. Adjacent to the village stands the dramatic and magnificent Ashford Castle. Dating from the 12th century, you are able to stroll around the grounds and get a feeling of what Ireland was like hundreds of years ago. For all the elegance and splendour of the castle, you should consider looking further afield for lunch. Sure, it has speciality teas, champagne, and finger sandwiches, and there may be talk of tasty pastries and cupcakes, but after many decades in the shadows of the grandeur of Ashford Castle, Cong is at last is defining itself and carving out an identity of its own.

“And, most dear actors, eat no onions or garlic, for we are to utter sweet breath; and I do not doubt but to hear them say, it is a sweet comedy.” — William Shakespeare, A Midsummer’s Night's Dream.

New research from Bord Bia has revealed that supporting local businesses is a key consideration for members of the public when eating out, which may go part of the way to explaining why there is nearly always something of a queue up the stairs for a coveted seat in this small, but perfectly formed, cafe on Spencer Street in Castlebar. With the same research showing that over two thirds of the population rated the use of Irish and local produce as important when eating out for a meal, if you venture over the border to Mayo, Rua's impeccable pedigree of the origin of all elements on the plates delivers. And then some.

I had heard a while back there was an Ard Bia cookbook in the pipeline. I had even debated it with a restaurateur friend of mine. “It’s too expensive, I think it’s mad. You can get cookbooks from big names for half that price,” I said. “You can get a lot of rubbish cookbooks for half that price,” he replied. “If it’s a lovely book as well as a good cookbook, it’s well worth the extra money.” Now, here are the most painful words I may ever have to write —Aran McMahon, you were right and I was wrong. It is not too expensive, it is worth every penny and more.

THE CLUBNIGHTS Musik and Shack Up at Kelly’s on Bridge Street return to their normal slots this weekend.

Café Rua in Castlebar has been named as the February Just Ask Restaurant of the Month award in association with Bord Bia and the Georgina Campbell Ireland Guide.

THE CELLAR Bar on Eglinton Street is about to become a great centre of live original music, DJ nights, and themed parties, when its basement section is re-launched as Deeper.

AFTER THE Hypnotic Brass Ensemble play Strange Brew at the Róisín Dubh tonight, the venue will host another of the increasingly popular silent discos.

Two Mayo companies have scooped top accolades at the Good Food Ireland awards in the K Club in Straffan, Co Kildare.