Navan Tapas Trail

  

I have lived in Meath now for three years and I still haven't managed to make it to all the great places that people tell me about! Navan is full of such places so when I heard about the Navan Tapas Trail I jumped at the chance to blog about it. Followers of the blog will know that I love tapas and was disappointed that I couldn't make this year's Campo Viejo Trail due to being heavily pregnant. The Navan Tapas Trail more than made up for this and we even brought the baby along!

Afternoon Tea at Teltown House

Anyone who is a regular reader of the blog will know that I LOVE a good afternoon tea. So I was quick to offer to go to Teltown House to attend their Coole Swan Afternoon Tea for the Boyne Valley Food Series. One of the things I love most about the food series is discovering places that I never would have known existed except for this initiative.

Sheridans Irish Food Festival

Last weekend saw the sixth Sheridans Irish Food Festival take place. It's an event we have been attended every year, rain or shine. Thankfully this year was one filled with lots and lots of sunshine! We didn't make it down till about 3.30 but there was still a steady stream of visitors making their way in. The event is well laid out so it never feels too packed especially since there is a good seating area where people can sit down, enjoy their food and listen to live music. 

Boyne Valley Fruit Farm Blossom Walk

This weekend saw the first events of the Boyne Valley Food Series take place. The Bective in Kells held their seafood festival which Nicky from One Life Adventure attended and which you can read about here and Boyne Grove Fruit Farm opened their beautiful orchards to the public. To say they weren't blessed with the weather is a bit of understatement but Sunday saw a much welcomed break in the rain which we and lots of other families took advantage of. 

The Boyne Valley Food Series 2015

So I know I haven't blogged in a really loooog time so hopefully noone totally dismisses this post as spam! Life got a bit hectic and the blog took a bit of a backseat but I'm hoping to fix all that in the next while. My plans however may be scuppered for a little while though with the impending arrival of baby number 1. So please forgive me in advance!

What better way to start back afresh though than with the announcement of the return of the 3rd Boyne Valley Food Series which kicks off this weekend!  For the last two years this wonderful series of events has turned the summer season into one full of food trails, festivals, farmers markets and fun. Personally it has allowed me to discover a whole new side to the county that I call home and its neighbour, Louth. 

August's Food Events and Festivals

August always feels like the final 'big hurrah' before summer is officially over and it's back to normality for us all. There is loads happening throughout the country, so even if the weather doesn't return to the former glory of July, there is no excuse not to get out and enjoy the long summer days before Autumn kicks in.

A Foodie's Guide to Kerry

Off on your holliers to Kerry this summer? Well to make your life easier Eva Schmid from the Ard na Sidhe Hotel has designed a fantastic infographic which highlights some of Kerry’s best food festivals, café’s and tearooms, cooking courses, farmers markets and artisan food stores. Check it out here to see it in full. 

Also check out some of my old posts to see what I thought of eating out in Killarney and Kenmare while on holidays down there a few years ago. I would adore a hake burger from Whartons right now! 

Killarney Town Centre

Kerry’s food festivals, cafes and tea rooms, cooking courses, farmers markets and food stores. - See more at: http://www.cheapeats.ie/#sthash.ROeBNJQH.dpuf

Kerry’s food festivals, cafes and tea rooms, cooking courses, farmers markets and food stores. - See more at: http://www.cheapeats.ie/#sthash.ROeBNJQH.dpuf

Boyne Valley Food Series Foraging Walk & Picnic

Herbal Delights - photo from Facebook

Join Meath Eco Tours this Saturday 2nd August for a special foraging walk and picnic at Girley Bog Natural Heritage Area, near Kells, County Meath. This guided walking tour will celebrate the edible delights to be found in this beautiful bogland area and its surrounds.

Participants will learn about edible plants and flowers, as well as discovering what plant families are safe to eat and which are best avoided. The tasty picnic, a highlight of the three-hour experience, will feature samples of foraged foods, such as Elderflower cordial with Raspberry and Meadowsweet syrup, Bilberry muffins, and Dillisk oatcakes with Wild Rocket and Basil pesto. Recipes and resources for further foraging adventures will also be provided on the day. 

This event takes place on Saturday 2nd August from 10am to 1pm and is part of the Boyne Valley Food Series. Further information and booking at www.meathecotours.com or phone Kate on 087-9712072. Cost is €20 and places are limited so get booking! The meeting point is the Girley Bog Looped Walk car park off the N52.

Meath Eco Tours

+353 (0)87-9712072

www.meathecotours.com

www.facebook.com/MeathEcoTours

Bog blog: meathecotours.wordpress.com/

A visit to the Irish Maritime Festival 2014

Last Sunday was one of those days where we didn’t know whether we wanted to stay at home and laze about or head out into the wild. In the end the sun made a break from the clouds and our decision was made for us. So off we popped to the Irish Maritime Festival in Drogheda for a few hours where there were tall ships and water sports on display.

Campo Viejo Tapas Trail: Dublin 2014

I always feel like summer has well and truly kicked off when it is time for the Campo Viejo Tapas Trail. I have been on every single trail since it started and it is still as much fun as it was the first time around. This year we kicked off in The Market Bar which by the way does a fab early bird of 2 tapas and a glass of wine/beer for €14. It is a big cavernous space where the only noise is the sound of people enjoying catching up over good food. We started the journey with a glass of Campo Viejo Cava and bowls of patatas bravas, piri piri chicken and goats cheese crostini. I could eat those patatas bravas all day!