Just thought I’d do something a little different…
Torchlight Children’s Parade in Killarney
Killarney really knows how to do Christmas celebrations, and the people of the town put in an tremendous effort to make the events happen. The annual torchlight children’s parade, that wound its way through town last night, is my highlight.
There were hundreds of kids taking part and lining the streets, and of course Santa made an appearance, complete with motorcycle escort.
It’s great to have a Christmas even that is not connected to shopping, and it’s a way of making the whole season really special for children. The abundant joy of all taking part was amazing to see, especially in these depressed times.
Every Irish town should have one!
Berry Berry Tarts
Here’s a fruit tart we’ve been making for our shops. It’s a pretty basic recipe, especially if you can buy in the tart shells (otherwise there’s a recipe for pie dough here). We make the tarts in single serving size, but there is no reason it couldn’t be a full pie.
Ingredients:
25 gr sugar
175 gr ground almonds
225 gr butter
4 eggs
50 gm flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Raspberry jam
Raspberries, blueberries, or other berries you have to hand.
Powdered sugar, for dusting.
What to do:
1. Coat bottom of the tart (or pie) shells with a thin layer of raspberry jam.
2. Beat the sugar and butter together until smooth.
3. Add the ground almond and continue mixing.
4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time.
5. Mix in the flour.
6. Use a piping bag or spoon to spread the frangipane (almond mixture) in to the tart shells.
7. Press in the berries.
8. Bake at 150C for about half an hour, or until the frangipane looks lightly brown.
9. Dust with powdered sugar.
Master Class at Dublin Food and Wine Fair
For anyone interested, I’ll be at the Food and Wine Christmas Fair at the RDS in Dublin, giving an ice cream master class tomorrow (Saturday) at 4:45pm.
I’ll go over the following recipes:
I’ll also try to answer any ice cream questions. Hope to see you there!
Hands Off My Sundae!
The other day, I was taking photos of sundaes in the shop, and I’m quite proud of the one above. Then, Róisín arrived with her mother, and things got messy quickly.
I think the following series tells the story:
It must be said that Róisín didn’t have any interest in eating it, but never underestimate how much fun it is to stick your fingers in cream!
Making the Best of the Flooding
But could they have done it with ice cream? Via Trust Tommy.
A Flood of Emotions
The rain continues to pour down, and the flooded streets and angry waters seem to reflect the mood of the country after last night’s soccer defeat to France. I enjoy watching soccer, but I am not a mad soccer fan. And yet, I could help being swept away in the excitement last night as Ireland’s Robbie Keane scored to make the dream of going to the World Cup seem suddenly very real. Perhaps it was the symbolism of it as well – if the Irish team could win against all odds, against one of the giants of world football, then couldn’t Ireland, stuck in gloomy economic times, also perform a miracle and haul itself out of its difficulties?
Then, of course, this happened:
Suddenly it all seemed so unfair – a goal that should have been disallowed and our dreams evaporated. All the tremendous heart and hard work of our players resulted in nothing. Perhaps, again, it’s the symbolism of it that has Ireland in such a depressed state today. We are, after all, well-used to losing in international sport. However, to put in one of the best performances in recent memory and still lose (unfairly) strikes at the heart of the current Irish predicament. We are a small nation with huge competitive disadvantages due to our size and remoteness, and if hard work and heart is not enough, what is?
It must be said that sport (or life for that matter) doesn’t usually hinge on one moment, even if that moment in retrospect becomes everything. There were a host of missed chances not only in this game, but in previous games as well. We could have beaten Italy and topped the group. We could have played better again France in Croke Park. We could have scored more or defended better in any number of matches, but we didn’t.
Life will go on. There will be more matches, and we will have chances to bring Ireland out of its economic mess. I would hope, once the raw, immediate emotion of anger and disappointment passes, that instead of becoming stuck in negativity and conspiracy theories, we will instead realise that both as a team and a country we can and should do even better – that we have it in us.
We should be proud of our team, because our players showed us last night their potential is far greater than many would have admitted. I believe, for all the obstacles being placed in our path (both internally and externally), that the same is true for Ireland. We must keep the drive, as well as the joy and hope and build a better future for both us and our children. It wont hinge on one game or one moment. It will be a long, hard campaign, but we can do it.
Dingle Just Might Exist Again in Future!
It’s been a long, long road road, but the end might be in sight. Yes, five years after Minister Ó Cuiv announced that Dingle didn’t exist, and almost four years after a plebiscite where the town overwhelmingly voted for Dingle/Daingean uí Chúis, it looks like there is some forward motion on the name, seemingly mostly due to Jackie Healey Rae, who insisted on it as part of joining the government. Mind you, supporters of the Dingle/Daingean uí Chúis name have been hopeful on this before and wont really believe it until it is in law.
Still, the Kerryman has a story that Minister Gormley met with Joe O’Toole and will attach a provision on the name to a bill regarding the Dublin Mayoral election. It should be published by Christmas and signed into law in the Spring.
It would be great to see the back of this issue and get on with things, and it would be a big relief if the will of the people was recognised.