Blue Book Members' News

Aherne's Autumn Tasting Menu

Aherne's Chef David FitzGibbon has designed a tasting menu bringing together the sense of tradition and history that is so important in Aherne's with the freshest of local produce including the finest fish from the day's catch in Youghal harbour, locally reared beef and lamb, seasonal vegetables, local artisan produce and a delicious array of home baked goods.

Autumn Tasting Menu

2 Rock Oysters with Guinness
Seared Castletownbere Scallop with a Herb Butter, Prosecco Valdobbiadene Masuret
Grilled Plaice with Tomato & Chilli Salsa, Sauvignon Blanc (Noemie Vernaux) 2010
Smoked Parmesan & Roast Vegetable Risotto, Pinot Grigio (Italy) 2009
Green Salad
Surf & Turf (Chargrilled Baby Fillet Steak & Prawns), Sangiovese (Italy) 2010
Farmhouse Cheese, Warre's 1999 Late Bottled Vintage Port
Hot Chocolate Pudding, Irish Coffee

This special Autumn tasting menu offer is available from just €130 per person to include accommodation in one of Aherne's deluxe bedrooms, every day each week, as well as carefully selected wines to compliment the courses, chosen from Aherne's comprehensive wine list. Tasting menu served at 7pm. All offers subject to availability.

For more information email ahernes@eircom.net or call + 353 24 92424

A Handel Evening in Carrig Country House, Co. Kerry

20th of October at 7.30p.m.

Special 4 Course Dinner & Drinks Reception

Live performance and resumé of a selection of Handel's works

Tickets: €55per person

Enjoy 3 Nights B&B, plus 2 Dinners, 20th, 21st and 22nd Oct. from €225pps

Handel Recital Dinner on Thursday Evening, plus dinner on one other evening of your choice

Booking or enquiries: 066 9769100, Email: info@carrighouse.com

10th Annual Mushroom Hunts in Longueville House

The O'Callaghan family of Longueville House in Mallow, Co. Cork are delighted to announce they will be holding their now annual mushroom hunts on the weekends of Sunday October 16th and October 30th. Those interested in attending are advised to don boots and wellies for the hike around the estate in search of edible mushroom varieties home grown on the Longueville Estate. The O'Callaghans also suggest waterproof hats and over coats due to a chance of inclement weather plus a pair of sunglasses just in case.

With the guidance of Longueville's own mushroom expert, participants can discover the pleasure of this exciting sport. Afterwards Chef/Proprietor William O'Callaghan along with his team will prepare and cook for a banquet of autumn mushrooms from the day's harvest. A fun day out for all & ideal for beginners.

The Mushroom Hunt Plan

9.30am onwards: Participants meet at Longueville House Hotel. A brief orientation & maps distributed of mushroom sites on estate. Participants may set off at their own pace, probably better if they break up into smaller groups. Please bring some paper, sacking or basket containers. Non-plastic is best.

1.00pm: Various Groups return to Hotel to clean up, examine mushroom harvest & brief discussion and of course enjoy a welcome glass of mulled wine!

1.45pm: Lunch follows in our Presidents' Restaurant with a specially prepared & chosen three- course meal by Chef/Proprietor William O'Callaghan and wines specially chosen for the occasion.

Overnight Package Price (Per Person Sharing):
Package includes accommodation & gourmet dinner on Saturday night & breakfast next morning, mushroom hunt/luncheon with wine on Sunday.
Standard Accommodation: €240.00 per person sharing/ €255.00 Single Occupancy
Junior Suite Accommodation €255.00 per person sharing
Terms & rates subject to availability.

Non Residents/ Day Trippers:
Price per Adult:
€95.00 to include Coffee/Scones on arrival, Mushroom Hunt, Luncheon with Wine.
Price per Child (Under 12 years):
€25.00 to include Milk & Cookies on arrival, Mushroom Hunt, Kiddies Luncheon with Farm Pressed Apple Juice.
For further details contact Longueville House on 022-47156 or email info@longuevillehouse.ie

Mother and Daughter Moments in The Wineport

It's a tough job being a mum. Often taken for granted, she offers unconditional love, bucket loads of good advice and a shoulder to cry on when things get tough. Even though she offers such love and devotion, she seldom asks for much in return.

With this in mind, the good people at Wineport Lodge have put together a fabulous Mother and Daughter Moments package so you can spend some precious time together.

Created especially to look after mum and daughter, this offer includes a magical night away with mum with tea, coffee and scones on arrival so you can have a proper natter without day to day distractions. Also, included is a finger tip manicure, overnight accommodation and a fabulous breakfast with the newspaper before departure.

Rate: €115 per person sharing and available Sunday-Thursday inclusive.

There's plenty to see and do in and around Wineport Lodge. Take a lakeshore stroll, boat trip on Lough Ree, play a round of golf or hit the shops in Athlone town centre. Those looking for some pampering can enjoy a fabulous treatment at the boutique style treatment suite and a refreshing dip in the rooftop cedar hot tub which will surely shake off any cobwebs!

Dining can be arranged in the awarding winning 'Restaurant'.

Wineport is easily accessible and just a little over an hours' drive from Dublin and Galway.

For further information please visit www.wineport.ie or phone: tel +353 9064 39010

Ballymaloe Autumn Wine Tasting:
Samuel Guibert, Mas de Daumas Gassac, Languedoc, South of France, Friday 21st October 2011

In conjunction with www.curiouswines.ie and www.rednosewine.ie , Ballymaloe House is delighted to announce an Autumn wine tasting on Friday 21st October at 7.00pm.

Described by Gault & Millau as "a Lafite in the Languedoc", and a "Grand Cru of the Midi" by Hugh Johnson, Mas de Daumas Gassac have been one of the benchmarks for Languedoc wines for over 30 years.

Ballymaloe is delighted to be welcoming Samuel Guibert, son of the legendary Aimé Guibert and master vigneron at Daumas Gassac, as he presents the story of this great Estate and a selection of their wonderful wines. As a finale, the informal tasting will include a vertical tasting of the Mas de Daumas Gassac red, an opportunity to taste multiple vintages of this great wine.

Tickets for the seated tasting at the Grainstore are available from Ballymaloe, Curious Wines shop in Cork, and also Red Nose Wine in Clonmel. Tickets are €15.

Tickets for the wine dinner are available from Ballymaloe House and are priced at €85, including 4 courses, tea/coffee and wine.

Please e-mail res@ballymaloe.ie to book or telephone Ballymaloe House 021 4652531

Pre-Christmas Girls Night Out in Style in Longueville House, Co. Cork

Enjoy an evening of exclusive pre christmas shopping at Longueville House, Mallow, Co Cork. Gather together some friends, family or work colleagues for a girls pre-Christmas night out on Thursday 24th November 2011 at 7.30pm. No traffic jams, no queues, plentiful car parking, wonderful gifts, services, delicious food & wines all under one roof...

In recent months, Longueville House has been gathering designers & trinkets that are both fashionable & affordable all conveniently made available to you, for your home or as thoughtful Christmas gifts.

Stunning jewellery, glad rags, sassy shoes & handbags, kiddie's toys & clothing, beauty products, fragrances & candles, interior design accessories, Irish designed lingerie, Longueville artisan festive food & more!

Bubbly, mulled wine, or non alcoholic punch and tasty nibbles on arrival and after a chat wander through the rooms of Longueville House and choose from labels such as:

AD Caesar, Alberto Gozzi, Alessi, Anna Lou of London, Amazing Book Selection, By Groth, By Marlele Birger, Day Birger, De Bejarry, Designers Guild Cushions, Elaine e Lena, Gien Paris, Hossin Tropica, John Rocha, Kroll, Designer Lingerie, LK Designs, Longchamp, Sphere One Cashmere, NY Stack Collection One Step, Orla Kiely Home, Tovery Cushions, VSL

Tila Collection, Zoffany & much more! It really is the event for serious southern socialisers and shoppers!

Tickets €35 covers entrance to event, bubbly, mulled wine & non-alcoholic punch reception with tasty nibbles on arrival. Tickets are only issued on a pre- purchase basis directly with hotel.

For further details contact Longueville House on 022-47156 or email info@longuevillehouse.ie

Wines and Olive Oil of Tuscany, with the Winemakers at Ballymaloe House

Wednesday, 9th November 2011. Dinner and wines, 8pm, €95

An evening of Tuscan Wines, and the new season's Olive Oil for what promises to be a very special dinner in Ballymaloe, with the following owner/winemakers representing some of the best known Tuscan wine estates:
- Bea Contini Bonacossi, Capezzana, Carmignano
- Federico Giuntini, Selvapiana, Chianti Rufino
In association with Liberty Wines, Ireland
Please e-mail res@ballymaloe.ie for further information, or to make a reservation call 021-4652531.

Screenings in the Bushmills Inn in Co. Antrim

Still Room Cinema

At The Bushmills Inn, they believe that cinema going should be a memorable experience - a proper night out in luxury surroundings.

"The Still Room" in Bushmills Inn offers private theatre seating for 30 people in style and comfort. This impressive space features rich claret tiered seating, luxurious suede hand pleated wall drapes and the latest high definition projection.

October will see the launch of The Still Room Classic Cinema Nights at The Bushmills Inn. Screenings will be complimentary for residents on Winter Breaks and will take place on Saturday afternoons.

For non-residents Cinema packages will be priced at £25.00 for 2 course set menu dinner and a complimentary movie and popcorn.

For more information email mail@bushmillsinn.com or call 028-20733000

King Sitric Restaurant in Howth celebrates 40 years in business.

Owned by Aidan and Joan MacManus the King Sitric has earned an international reputation for fresh seafood since they opened their doors in 1971. Long before current trends for locally produced foods Aidan MacManus's philosophy was to source the very best of local produce. Diners in the restaurant can expect smoked salmon from the last traditional smoking kiln in Howth, lobsters from the local fishermen and local beef from the Bellingham family farm at 'The Cliffs' up at Baily, on the Howth peninsula.

A member of Ireland's Blue Book since 1989, the King Sitric continues to win awards. The restaurant was named 'Best Seafood Restaurant 2010' by InDublin magazine and scooped a BIM Seafood Circle award earlier this year.

Located in the Old Harbour Master's house, the restaurant is named after King Sitric II, Norse King of Dublin in the 11th Century who had a close association with Howth and was son in law of the famous Irish King, Brian Boru.

In 1999, Aidan and Joan extensively rebuilt the old Harbour Master's house, relocating the restaurant to the first floor with panoramic sea-views, and adding eight guest bedrooms. All the bedrooms, named after Lighthouses, are stunningly located overlooking Balscadden Bay.

Seafood specialities include red velvet crab bisque, and classics such as sole meunière and Dublin lawyer. In autumn there is a slight shift of emphasis as more meat dishes are introduced; lovers of game can enjoy a selection of wild game from Co Wicklow.

Aidan MacManus also oversees one of the country's finest wine lists, with strengths in Chablis, Burgundy and Alsace, with the special feature of a temperature controlled wine cellar on the ground floor. To help celebrate their birthday the King Sitric is delighted and honoured to have a ' 40 Year Celebration' label on their house wine 'Pinot Blanc Cuvee les Amours, special reserve for the King Sitric from the prestigious house of Hugel in Alsace.

To share their birthday celebrations The King Sitric will have some very special offers running at intervals throughout their birthday year. For example if you host your own 40th birthday celebrations in the King Sitric and bring four or more guests, Joan and Aidan will cover the cost of your dinner. This generous offer also applies to couples celebrating 40 years of marriage. Wrinkles are not suitable proof of age and IDs will be necessary! * *terms and conditions apply, subject to availability.

Contact the King Sitric on +353 1 8325235 or email info@kingsitric.ie

Whiskey by the Fire in The Merrion Hotel, Dublin

Following the huge success of last year's Fireside Chats, The Merrion Hotel is delighted to welcome Liam Donegan back to No. 23 on October 19 and November 16 for a convivial evening where he'll share his extensive knowledge of Irish Whiskey. Join in the relaxed chat and sample some very special blends from the Midleton Distillery in Co. Cork. On both evenings, Liam will focus on Pot Still Whiskeys, which is widely regarded as the quintessential style of Irish Whiskey.

The evenings, priced at €27 each, begin at 7pm and will offer insight as well as entertainment.

For More Info please email info@merrionhotel.com or call 01-6030600

Marlfield House Sunday Lunchtime Recitals Autumn / Winter 2011

Sunday October 23rd: Siobhan Oliver Soprano, Ryan Morgan Tenor, Pianist Eoin O Callaghan

Sunday November 13th: Norah King Soprano, Clara Moroney Pianist

Sunday December 18th: Deirdre Masterson and The Irish Sopranos, Accompanist David Wray and members of Ceol Loch Garman (Lunchtime and evening performances)

Performances will take place in the intimacy of the house in the Print Room, preceded by a delicious four course lunch in the Conservatory Dining Room.

Lunch will be served from 12.30 followed by the recital at 3.30pm.

Tickets are €63 per person for lunch and recital.

Recital only tickets are €20

Very special bed and breakfast rates from €70 per person are available on Sunday nights and from €80 on Saturday nights.

For further information contact Marlfield on +353 53 9421124 or email info@marlfield.com

'Shoot, Cook and Eat' At Belle Isle

This October Belle Isle is organising something a little different by offering a 'Shoot, Cook, and Eat' day on Saturday 29th October 2011. Particularly suitable for less experienced shots, the morning will be devoted to pigeon shooting around the beautiful Belle Isle Estate. This will be followed by a light lunch in the Cookery School and a hands-on cookery lesson with Belle Isle's renowned chef Liz Moore. Using the morning's bag and other game Liz will show you how to create innovative and unusual dishes. Then time for a leisurely walk around Belle Isle, a little relaxation in your cosy accommodation and return to the school at 8pm for the ultimate feast. After a rewarding night's sleep depart the following morning after breakfast at 10am. Places are limited to 14 (7 guns and 7 non-shooting partners. £230 per gun /£190 per guest. With game now in season one day game cooking courses will also be taking place on 4th, 12th and 23rd November.

For further details telephone 028-6638 7231. (048 6638 7231 from ROI) or email info@belle-isle.com

'For the love of cupcakes' -October Half-Day course at Belle Isle Cookery School

Not everyone has the time to spare for a whole day cooking, so this month for the first time Belle isle Cookery School will be running some half day courses. If you dream of rows and rows of cupcakes then 'For the love of cupcakes' on the morning of Wednesday 26th will allow you total indulgence. From tira mi su to vanilla and lavender flavours, you will also learn some clever tricks about icing and decorating that will land you top marks at any show. At a recent wedding at Belle Isle, baskets of glorious pink and green cupcakes made a perfect substitute for the traditional wedding cake as well as doubling up as colourful table decorations in place of flowers.

The half day course price £65 begins at 10.00 am and ends after a light lunch plus you get to take your morning's creations with you.