Ice Cream Ireland

 This is always a hectic but fun time of year for me, since yesterday is my Aunt Carol’s birthday, today is my mother’s birthday, tomorrow, of course, is Christmas, and then there is the wren on the 26th.

Today, despite dire weather forcasts, the sun shone brightly, the wind was slack, and the afternoon was much more like May than December.

With the shops closed and the deliveries done, we all went for a stroll on Ventry beach, including Ivan the ice cream dog (above).

What an absolute delight. I might have ice cream and chocolate on the brain for most of the year, but for these few days it’s great to relax and spend time with family. I hope this day was as enjoyable for you!

Happy Christmas!

Technorati tags: Dingle, Irish, Ventry, beach

 Today, the Dingle Camphill Community had an open day and craft’s fair. Camphill Communities are for people with special needs including autism, Down’s Syndrome, etc.

It might be a little early for some to be thinking about Christmas gifts, but if you want something really special, you can buy all sorts of wonderful crafts made on the premises and of course the money goes to support the (non-profit) organisation.

Basket making, weaving, etc. are used as therapy, and it’s brilliant to see the pride they have in their work.

There are quite a few Camphill Communities around the country, and I can’t recommend paying a visit more strongly. It’s usually possible to just drop in, and it’s utterly heart-warming. If you come home with a special gift, so much the better.

Technorati tags: Dingle, Christmas, gift, Camphill

Dingle beat the might of An Gaeltacht yesterday in the West Kerry Semi-Final Replay in a major upset: 8-7 in a close match. I love going to some of the local games, where you can see players that have become so famous for their county scrapping it out in front of a small crowd.

Of course, you could just call it procrastination from writing the ice cream book!

Technorati tags: Dingle, football, Kerry, GAA

Craving that rarest of commodities in West Kerry - trees, we went off for a walk yesterday in Glenteenesig Woods.

Located on the Tralee side of Castlegregory, and maintained by Coilte, there is a sign for it on the main road at Aughacasla. Turn, and after a 4km drive, you will reach the entrance.

There are three parking lots - one at the entrance, one at the first lake, and one at the second lake. I definitely suggest you park at one of the latter two, for the road up is a bit boring to walk.

Then it’s magic. What an amazing place for a stroll in Winter - misty and magical with trees, mountains, waterfalls, wildlife and three beautiful lakes.

You really feel as if you’re in another country, and all of this just within a whisper of the sea!

Technorati tags: Glenteenasig, woods, lakes, West Kerry, Ireland

 I am happy but exhausted! The Dingle Peninsula Food and Wine Festival was a bigger success than anyone of us could have ever imagined.

Every event was packed, especially the cookery demonstrations in the church. For the last charity cook-off on Sunday, festival-goers even filled the balcony.

The only real problem the festival had was that everyone sold more food than expected, and many in the market and on the taste trail sold out either late on Saturday or early on Sunday. Still, one could have worse problems!

The wine tastings worked well, and there were many in Dingle with high spirits indeed! The highlight defintely was the Sheridan’s Cheese and wine tasting in the Dingle Framer’s Gallery. Talk about decadent!

The local support was tremendous and really ensured the success of the festival. We also raised a bundle for the festival’s charity - Hope Guatemala.

I think that there is little doubt in anyone’s mind that this will be an annual event. Clodagh McKenna’s TV program on Dingle should go out in March.

Technorati tags: Dingle, food, festival, wine, feile, gourmet

 Things are getting pretty crazy here in Dingle with the food and wine festival right around the corner (Oct. 12th-14th).

Things are really starting to take shape. It looks like Clodagh McKenna will be here as part of a TV series on farmer’s markets, and she will be giving a cooking demonstration in St. James’ Church on the Saturday at 12:00.

The taste trails are also getting finalised. So far we have:

• Simple Pleasures - tutored tasting of French wines
• Jerry Kennedy Butchers - Sampling of their excellent produce
• Curran’s Pub - Seafood counter
• Murphys Ice Cream - Ice cream tasting: 16 Shades of Chocolate
• Global Village - Tutored tasting of Australian boutique wines with Martin Forker (€10 cover. Book on 087 9177700)
• Dingle Crystal - Chardonnay tasting - differences in various styles
• Greelane Gallery - Oysters and fine wines Foxy Johns - Scallops and cider
• Hannie Agnes’ - Pint and a pie (Piog Pies)
• An Grianan - Tastes of organic snacks
• Fevre 1971 Citroen Van will be around town sampling delicious wines
• Benner’s Hotel - A masterclass in the wines of Burgundy (€10 cover. Book on 087 9177700)
• The Pier - Charity fish auction
• Lisbeth Mulcahy - Hearty organic soups by Tig Bhric
• Novecento Gourmet - Festival slice of special pizza  

In addition, the restaurants will have special festival menus. It should be a bit of fun, so anyone thinking about coming to Dingle, do! Restaurant bookings will be through the individual restaurants, and lodgings can be arranged through the tourist office. There are links on the festival website... 

Technorati tags: Dingle, food, festival, wine, feile, gourmet

 I had a bit of free time yesterday, and since the weather was stunning, I decided to take a jaunt out Slea Head.

I don’t get back West as much as I would like, but when I’m there, looking out at the Blasket Islands, walking in the green grass, and basking in the calm, I think I surely must be blessed to have all of this at my doorstep.

By the way, in case you don’t get the top photo, Inis Tuaisceart is also called the Sleeping Giant…

Technorati tags: Slea Head, drive, Dingle, Kerry

 Good news in terms of the Dingle Peninsula Food and Wine Festival (12th - 14th October, 2007) - it looks as if we have Kevin Sheridan coming down to do a tutored cheese and wine tasting.

Also, local man Kevin Flannery will guide a foraging walk with instructions on how to survive from the coast.

And I think that we will take out all other ice cream from our cabinet and do 16 shades of chocolate!

Technorati tags: Dingle, food, festival, wine, feile, gourmet

 After such a wet summer, it truly is balm to the soul to have a run of weather that’s lifting all of us in Dingle into realms of giddiness. Perfect warmth in the sun, no wind, blue skies. It’s heaven!

Depending on your viewpoint, it’s either sweet or bittersweet, since the kids are back in school, most of the tourists gone home, and most of the enjoyment going to locals, catching their breath after the busy season.

For us, in the world of ice cream, it’s also a bittersweet time, as we say “good-bye” to many of our staff who have worked so hard, given us and our customers so much joy all summer, and are heading back to their courses and universtities both in Ireland and abroad.

Of course there is a core team who will stay, and in fact we’ll have to hire if we can (It’s only easy to find staff during the summer months).

So anyone who knows a good driver or baker, send them our way!

What I really wanted to say, though, is thanks to everyone who worked at Murphys Ice Cream this summer - in Killarney, Dingle, and Production, and I wish you all the best in the coming year.

Now I’m off to the beach!

Technorati tags: Dingle, staff, summer, sun

 

 For those interested, here’s the full programme for the Dingle Film Festival… 

Programme: September 6th – September 9th 2007

Thursday, 6th September 

The Phoenix Cinema

9pm   €10

“2 Days in Paris�Directed by Julie Delpy Sir Alan Parker to open festival

Friday 7th September

Ioand An Bhlascaoid Mhoir  

Feature Film Premier,  12 noon      €4           
AZUR AND ASMAR: THE PRINCES’ QUEST (age 7+)Director Michel Ocelot

Ryan’s Daughter Evening with Sarah Miles,  7pm   €12

Screening of “On Location� Documentary With Godfrey

The Phoenix Cinema

3pm         €7

Competition Shorts 3 – 35mm Feature Film                                                              

9pm             €8

Saturday 8th September    

Hilery House

10am – 4pm     €25 Workshop Programme 3, The 3 Principals of plot, a master Class with Eoghan Harris

Krugers

10am - 1pm           Free

Screen Test with Artist Andrew Duggan

St. James’ Church

10am – 12noon                       €15

Workshop programme 1 & 2, Brian Nolan & Owen McPolin Shorts Programme 1

12 noon        €7           

Feature Film “Ten Canoes�  

2.30pm      €7

Competition Shorts

2  5pm               €7 T

V Premier “The Running Mate�           

6.30pm             €7

The Phoenix Cinema 

9pm          €8

The Killing of John Lennon directed by ANDREW PIDDINGTON

Sunday 9th September

St. James’ Church  

10.30am              €15

Workshop programme 4, Production, a Master Class with Ned Dowd(Last of the Mohicans, Apocolypto

Family Feature Premier Film

12noon           €4

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey 

Shorts Programme 4

2.30pm                 €7

Shorts Programme  Local Local   

5pm                   €7

Benners Hotel 

Award’s Ceremony Reception

Technorati tags: Dingle, film, festival, cinema, movie, Kerry