Ballymaloe Country House & Restaurant

Shanagarry, Co Cork.

Welcome to the home of real Irish food, this renowned Irish Country House Hotel and Restaurant owned and run by the Allen family for over 40 years, is at the heart of what is great about Irish food. Nestled in a 400-acre estate in rural East Cork, Ballymaloe offers a warm family welcome, luxurious accommodation and award-winning cuisine, which celebrates the best of local, seasonal produce.

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Ballymaloe Shop and Café

Ballymaloe, Shannagarry, Midleton, Co Cork.

Twenty five years ago, Wendy Whelan started the shop at Ballymaloe House, as an exciting addition to the existing business her mother Myrtle had created. Now the place is an institution, echoing the house’s tradition of great Irish hospitality. You’ll always find a gadget or two here that won’t be seen anywhere else, Wendy searches out the unusual for an army of food lovers that come through the doors here every year. So if you’re serious about cooking get yourself down here now!

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Bay Tree Holywood (The)

118 High Street, Holywood, Co Down, BT18 9HW.

For the best part of 20 years, The Bay Tree Coffee House in Holywood has been attracting customers from far and wide. It is a food lover’s paradise, as Sue Farmer uses the best of local ingredients on her inventive menu. Sue prepares all her homemade fresh tasty food with tender care and her famous, secret recipe, Cinnamon Scones are worth the trip alone!

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Burren Perfumery Tea Rooms (The)

Carron, Co Clare.

Relax in this delightful little rose covered tearoom, set in a secluded spot amidst the beautiful flora and fauna of Ireland’s famous Burren. Food is uncomplicated and home cooked, based on organic produce and ingredients sourced in local farmer’s markets by owner Sadie Chowen, whose ethos is to respect nature, seasonality and regionality. Her sensitivity is also captured in the fragrances and beauty products made in her tiny Burren Perfumery next door.

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Burren Smokehouse and Visitor Centre

Kincora Road, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare.

Just off the main square in historic Lisdoonvarna, this highly acclaimed, award winning traditional smokehouse owned by Peter and Birgitta Curtin produces superb smoked salmon and locally caught mackerel, and also smokes cheeses from some of Clare’s renowned cheese makers. The Burren smokehouse is also home to a delightful Gourmet Food Shop stoked with superb Irish artisan produce, a charming Craft Shop and a very informative Visitor Centre, where you can see a traditional smoker and view their audio-visual presentation.

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Cronin's Pub & Mad Fish Restaurant

1 Point Road, Crosshaven, Co Cork.

This landmark building, once a grand old hotel has been home to Sean & Thecla Cronin, their son Denis and daughter Joleen for over 40 years. The walls are adorned with historical artefacts, local art and maritime memorabilia reflecting Cronin’s avid sailing enthusiasts. But fabulous food is the order of the day at Cronins, Thecla’s fantastic cooking skills are showcased in her in her many famous dishes including her own recipe Seafood Chowder and fresh Oysters from nearby Oysterhaven. New to Cronin’s in the last couple of years is the funky styled Mad Fish restaurant, which not only serves but is also home to wealth of local artists exhibitions and. Denis’s menu is a fish mad frenzy presented in up beat style, and with the very best of everything local. Denis’s signature dish of Mad Fish - succulent chunks of fresh salmon, monkfish, whiting, mussels and whole Dublin Bay prawns in a light wine and cream sauce topped with golden crumbs is unmissable. And you won't go thirsty either there’s the full bar service in the lounge, and a substantial wine list in the restaurant, not to mention a full range of beer, wines and spirits, including a large selection of deluxe, blended and single malt Irish whiskeys. And if all of that is not enough for you Thecla's Gallery and Craft Shop just along the road has a lovely selection of handcrafted gifts, and will soon be stocking Denis' home made pickles, pates and relishes, in time for this year's summer season.

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Millstreet Country Park

Millstreet, Co Cork.

If you’re into wandering walks round wild countryside, peaceful lakeside rambling, strolling through woodland nature trails, or taking in some important archaeological features, Millstreet Country Park is your place. Millstreet Country Park is a 500 acre environmental nature park with a large visitor centre with restaurant, audio visual theatre and shop. This extensive eco tourism attraction has miles of breathtaking walkways round wild countryside, peaceful lakeside and woodland nature trails, with many fascinating archaeological features and has been designated as an approved Science Centre. Some walks are short and can be covered quickly by even the most reluctant rambler! Others are more extensive and can involve a climb up the Park but visitors can also choose to ride the in-park transport. Millstreet Country Park has the lot - in spades - and then some.

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Silver Hill Foods Farm Shop

Silver Hill, Emyvale, Co Monaghan.

If you’ve ever tasted Silver Hill Foods wonderful and unique Peking Duck, you’ll know that they deserve every accolade they receive. These ducks are fed on a natural diet, without any additives, then air chilled without any added water. The result is meat that’s succulent, tender and full of flavour.

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