All posts tagged: the mc bride guide

Review – The Village Tavern, Mountcharles, Co. Donegal

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Falling in love again with your home county can often happen when you least expect it. Donegal is the tattoo on my heart and the passport I am proudest of. I am in another flush of love with this special, mythical, weather battered, gorgeous and cheeky county at the minute.  I dragged my family out while visiting home this weekend to try The Village Tavern in Mountcharles which is just five minutes from Donegal Town. I had heard very, very good things about the food here, so not even a visit from that rascal Desmond was going to stand in the way. One two-hour journey from my homeplace in north-west Donegal later, it was certainly worth it. Signature Seafood Tasting Board Tucked into the back of an unassuming pub in the main village of Mountcharles, lies a roaring fire and delicious food that far surpasses any pre-conceptions of rural pub grub. The whole menu was like George Clooney had just married seafood and was showing her off to the world. The starters were clever and …

The Glasgowist features The Mc Bride Guide

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A dear friend Paul Trainer left our Irish shores for his native Scotland and his latest Guide to the great and good of Glasgow is an absolute must for locals and if you are visiting. He kindly featured me on the website glasgowist.com By Paul Trainer Billy Connolly once said “if you ever want your flagging spirits lifted, go to Ireland” and thousands of Scots take that advice every year, hopping on one of the steady stream of cheap flights linking the two countries or taking the ferry. There is a particular connection between Donegal on Ireland’s wild west coast and Glasgow with cultural and work related links dating back generations. Caitriona McBride chronicles the finer things on the Emerald Isle at the McBride Guide. We caught up with her to talk about Irish restaurants, family ties and cheese. What was the idea behind the McBride Guide? It’s a celebration of the best of Irish food and beautiful things. I think we are living in one of the most exciting eras for Irish cuisine so …

Recipe – Domini Kemp – Ham hock terrine with celeriac remoulade and salsa verde

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The very wonderful, talented and beautiful Domini Kemp shares this fantastic recipe for Ham hock terrine with celeriac remoulade and salsa verde and how she discovered it in The Wild  Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna. Ham hock terrine with celeriac remoulade and salsa verde A few years ago, I finally made it to The Burren, in Co. Clare, for the first time.  I felt like some crazed tourist, oohing and aahing at the breathtaking views, and was delighted to find plenty of gorgeous places to eat. One of the best was the Wild Honey Inn in Lisdoonvarna, where chef Aidan McGrath’s ham hock terrine was, hands down, the nicest I’ve ever had: moist, unctuous and not too ‘hammy’, and perfect with his celeriac remoulade and salsa verde.  When I left, I asked for the recipe, and true to his word, Aidan sent it up, ready for my grubby paws to test. It really is an absolute winner.  Capers, cornichons, parsley, shallots and English mustard all play their part in lifting this keenly priced meat into something light …

Soulmates

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I was 16 and sitting in my art class. The boy I was madly in love with, in the way your 16 year old giddy heart can only love, leaned across the table and asked ‘So do you actually believe in “The One” Caitríona?’ I was delirious. My pupils dilated, I felt faint, churning sick, beautiful and achingly aware of my Hammerite braces. I wanted to run or else make a Bronte leap into his arms. This was it, he feels it, and he knows he is north-west Donegal’s Burton to my Taylor. He wants to take my hand as we step into my lobster-like vision of us sailing through a cotton cream life where we end up in the kind of home where our kids roll their eyes every time we dance around our grey-haired cosy kitchen to ‘Memories are made of this.’ And we laugh and remember when our joints didn’t hurt as much or when we made love like insatiable, insane creatures or wished we had started saving for our pensions earlier. …

*CLOSED* Wineport Lodge competition – Winner announced soon

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Would you like to win a break away to the luxurious Wineport Lodge in Glasson, Co. Westmeath? The bank holiday is now a distant memory, the nights are already far too short so this is the perfect chance to win a gorgeous treat! This gorgeous prize includes one overnight stay for two people sharing, with a delicious dinner in the Wineport restaurant and breakfast the next morning. I’ve been lucky enough to stay in this Blue Book listed hotel, and the lucky winners have a treat in store seeing the sienna streaked sunset on the terrace or waking up by the serene waters of Lough Ree. Fans of ‘The Restaurant’ TV series will be familiar with The Wineport Lodge which hosted the show for many happy years. THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED. Terms and Conditions Entrants must be 18 years or over This prize cannot be exchanged for cash Entry to win is via Twitter or Facebook The closing date for entries is midnight on Tuesday 03rd November 2015 Entry for this competition is free …