Seafood in September this weekend in County Clare

Carrigaholt, in Co Clare, is one of the destination points on the Wild Atlantic Way and is a classic example of a traditional Irish fishing village. It is a perfect setting for a Celebration of Irish Seafood, on The Loop Head Peninsula. This beautiful location has been well recognised of late, winning the Irish Times Best Place to holiday last year and being named as finalist in Ireland's Foodietowns 2014.

Every September the village celebrates its long history with the sea, with this "Seafood in September" food festival. The festival began as a gathering of local people at the end of a busy summer season but has grown into something that attracts tourist’s interested in seafood and a friendly atmosphere.

Irish Food writers and publishers, John and Sally McKenna, will open the festival

This year their Special Guests for the festival are John and Sally McKenna of the McKenna Guides, they will spend the weekend with us and will take part in many of the events such as the guided food trail and launch the festival with a Shellfish and Craft Beer night in the award winning Long Dock Restaurant. Sally McKenna will be signing copies of her book "Extreme Greens" on the Sunday of the festival as part of the food and craft fair.

There is nothing like the thrill of catching your first couple of Mackerel

Friday 19th September: 

Evening Mackerel Trip with Luke Aston of Fishandstay.com – boat departing from Carrigaholt outside pier 6pm. Price €25pp - fishing equipment included. Trip weather dependent contact 0876367544. 

Cook Your own Catch in the Long Dock Restaurant – Bring in your catch after the trip and have it cooked and served with a choice of sides for only €10.

Festival Launch with John and Sally McKenna at 7pm followed by a Shellfish and Craft Beer party Price €30pp. Booking essential. Messy fun guaranteed. Crackers and bibs included.

Guided Foraging Walks on Saturday

Saturday 20th September: 

Guided Food Loopers Food Trail Meeting at Carrigaholt Outside Pier car park at 12am, come hungry. booking 0864099624, €25pp. Exploring the hidden gems which helped Loop Head to the finals of the Top 10 Foodie Towns in Ireland. Sample some tasty seafood treats at Sealyons Seafood and enjoy a filleting lesson from the experts. A trip to Brid Hettermans market garden Rahona roots. Tea and cake at Glencarrig Farmhouse bakery. Wild food foraging with the Long Way Round Guided walks.

Dolphinwatch Seafood Cruise – time to be confirmed. Dolphin and Nature Boat trip including delicious seafood supper served with a glass of wine. €60pp, €100 per couple. Booking essential contact 0659058156 Gala Seafood Buffet – arrive at the Long Dock to enjoy a bountiful display of fish and shellfish. The Gala buffet is always a fantastic event. Booking is essential 0659058106 Price €50pp (alternative menu available).


Sunday 21st September: 

Artisan Food and Craft Fair in Carrigaholt village 10am-4pm – Over 20 local stall holders will be attending with a range of locally produced crafts and delicious home made food. John and Sally McKenna will be signing copies of their books “Where to eat and stay on the Wild Atlantic Way” and “Extreme Greens – Understanding Seaweed".

Cooking Demonstrations and Talks 11am – 4pm 

Cooking demonstrations by members of Loop Head Food Circle throughout the day. Talks and demos include Local Seaweed and their uses, developing your Market Garden, Seafood Preparation and fish Filleting!

For more information see: www.facebook.com/seafoodinseptember and www.loophead.ie

Zack

Doolin Craft Beer Festival in County Clare from 23rd to 25th August

The number of microbreweries operating in Ireland has increased significantly in recent years due a surge in public interest in independent craft beers. That’s according to the organisers of the 2nd annual Doolin Craft Beer Festival in County Clare from 23rd to 25th August.

15 domestically produced craft beers from some of Ireland’s best microbreweries will be amongst dozens of beers and ciders to be showcased at the festival, which is being hosted by Hotel Doolin and will also feature some of Clare’s best musicians along with food from local Artisan producers.

Among the Irish microbreweries showcasing craft beers will be The Carlow Brewing Company (Carlow), 8 Degrees Brewing (Cork), The Dungarvan Brewing Company (Waterford), The White Gypsy Brewery (Tipperary), The Franciscan Well Brewery (Cork), Galway Hooker (Roscommon), Trouble Brewing (Kildare) and Stonewell Cider (Cork).

“Ireland has traditionally had a long history of brewing with almost every small town in Ireland at one point having a microbrewery. The rise to dominance of the larger beer companies however, saw Irish beer production decline,” explained Hotel Doolin General Manager, Donal Minihane.

He added: “At the beginning of the 19th century there were over 200 breweries in the country, producing a wide range of Irish beer. This number dropped significantly by the beginning of the 20th century due to the dominance of a few large and famous breweries. By 2007, there were only 12 breweries in the country, with most producing mass-produced beer, backed by formidable marketing budgets. However, independent craft beers have seen an explosion in popularity in recent years with increasing numbers of pubs around the country now serving Irish beers and ciders.”

He continued: “As with the food we serve in our restaurant and bar we also feel that we should be supporting indigenous suppliers when it comes to beers and there is no shortage of quality there. We stock a large range of Irish Craft Beers in Fitzpatrick’s Bar and we have seen a great response from our customers particularly our foreign guests who want to sample local beers rather than beers they can get in their own country.”

“Following on from this, last year saw the launch of our own craft beer ‘Dooliner Beer’ which has proved extremely popular with both locals and tourists alike. Nowadays, it’s not just about slapping a pint of lager up on the counter and walking off, customers want to know where the beer comes from, what’s in it, how it is made and the history behind it,” added Mr. Minihane.

This year Hotel Doolin will again partner with Seamus O’Hara who has been instrumental in the re-emergence of craft brewing in Ireland. After seeing the wider range of beers available in bars in the United States and continental Europe, Seamus O'Hara and his brother Eamonn established the Carlow Brewing Company in 1996. Due to the dominance of macro beers in Ireland at the time, the brewery was initially very export orientated. Interest in the brewery and craft beer in general, has increased.

The upcoming Doolin Craft Beer Festival will also focus strongly on artisan and local food producers. Local food suppliers will join BBQ specialist and Hotel Doolin Head Chef Peter Jackson by hosting stands each day from midday to 10pm. Tickets cost €10.00 each & include a free commemorative festival glass.

Mr. Minihane noted that Hotel Doolin is a strong supporter of artisan food and drink producers throughout the hotel in the bar, restaurant and in the Hotel’s very own artisan food shop ‘The Doolin Pantry.’ Hotel Doolin even has its very own ‘Slow Food Wedding Package,’ which incorporates the very best of local produce.

For a Full List of all the Craft Beers appearing at the festival see: www.irishcraftbeerfestival.com

The annual Doolin Craft Beer Festival will take place on the grounds of Hotel Doolin from 23-25 August 2013. Further information is available from www.hoteldoolin.ie or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DoolinCraftBeerandFoodFestival or +353 65707411.