Foodies on Tour: Harry’s Bar & Restaurant, 12 March 2011 – updated 2 March
March 2, 2011 in IFBA Events
Who’s ready for another foodies on tour adventure? Working together with the inspiring Donal Doherty at Harry’s Bar & Restaurant, we’ve planned a food-filled, hands-on weekend on 11-13 March in Inishowen, Co. Donegal.
Starting on Friday, 11 March, we’ll be having a get-together at Linsfort Castle B&B from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Darren Bradley is offering to make a sample of pizzas in his wood-fired pizza oven (check out the photo sequence of the oven being built on Darren’s blog) and Donal Doherty will be providing food as well. Seaneen and Collin from L. Mulligan. Grocer will also be conducting a beer tasting, but since this is just a taste, it’s BYOB on Friday. Space is limited, so booking is essential! An hour of Rambling House storytelling and music will then take place from 9 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, 12 March is going to be a busy, hands-on day! The fee for the day will be €40, which will cover lunch and the Taste of Inishowen dinner (drinks will be extra). Donal will be donating €10 from this fee to iCARE, the local autism charity; any extra donations would be welcome.
9.45 Coffee Angel and Bailie’s Hand Roasted Coffee will demonstrate how to correctly brew coffee at home. Feel free to bring something to share with coffee.
10.30 Intro and welcome by Donal Doherty of Harry’s Bar & Restaurant and Caroline Hennessy and Kristin Jensen from the IFBA
10.45 – 12.00 Masterclass with butchers Ed Hick, TJ Crowe and Jack McCarthy making fresh black pudding – bring an apron! (hands-on participants for this will be limited)
12 – 12.45 Imen McDonnell will be demonstrating modern farmhouse butter making
12.45 – 1.15 A light lunch
1.15 – 1.45 David Tiernan will talk about how he started making his amazing Glebe Brethan cheese and will provide samples (maybe even some of his famous raw milk!)
1.45 – 3.00 Ed Hick, TJ Crowe and JackMcCarthy will show us how to cure pork (the Quality Mark pork has been kindly sponsored by Bord Bia!). Participants for this will be limited to 16 and you’ll need to bring a 2 litre container with a lid that you won’t need to use for 5 weeks while your pork cures in it!
3.00 – 4.00 Inishfood think tank and chat – an informal discussion on what we can do for Irish food to promote it and send a common message.
4.00 – 4.45 A visit to Harry’s new walled garden project and a talk with GIY Ireland about The Pledge. Gareth Austin, BBC Radio Horticulturist, will also be on hand with practical DIY help as part of GIY Week
5.00 – 7.00 Break for everyone to freshen up for dinner
7.00 A Taste of Inishowen feast at Harry’s, all made from local produce
9:00 We’ll be raffling off hampers and gift bags full of amazing Irish food as well as other incredible prizes, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Barnardos charity (you can see the list of prizes here). In addition, Georgina Campbell has generously donated a copy of her book, Ireland for Food Lovers, for everyone in attendance at Inishfood!
On Sunday, 13 March, you have two options. How about a stunning coastal walk at Malin Head, a boat ride around the Garvan Isles and a fresh seafood lunch with the port it was landed in view? Full details are available here. If you’re interested, email . The boat ride will be done on a first come, first served basis and is free, as is the walk. The splendid €10 seafood lunch at the Seaview Tavern would be worth the trip alone! The 2-hour walk will start at 10 a.m. (bring proper clothing and sturdy boots!), followed by the boat ride and lunch. You should be back on the road by 2 p.m. or so.
If you don’t have the time for that adventure though, Donal Doherty will lead a 1-hour shore walk on Lough Swilly, weather permitting, so we can all take in the beautiful countryside around Inishowen.
As for accommodation, Donal has personally recommend Linsfort Castle B&B (25 minutes from Harry’s; listed as one of the 100 best places to stay in Ireland in the Bridgestone Guide) and the Westbrook House B&B (15 minutes from Harry’s). Both B&Bs are offering a rate of €30 per person per night for 2 nights, or €35 per person if only staying on Saturday night only. Be sure to quote Harry’s when booking either B&B. If you’d prefer to stay in a hotel, the An Grianán Hotel is only 2 miles from Harry’s and they are offering a special reduced rate of €65 per night for single occupancy and twin/double rooms for €99 per night. The hotel must be booked through Donal () to avail of this reduced rate. There’s a wedding in the hotel that night, so book quickly if you’re interested in this option. The Linsfort Castle B&B, Westbrook House and An Grianán Hotel are now fully booked. Accommodation is also available at the Lake of Shadows Hotel and Caldra B&B – be sure to quote Harrys when making your booking to avail of the special rate of €35 per person per night. The Red Door country house is also offering a special rate of €120 per room for 1 night and €200 for 2 nights – to book, call Frances on 074 936 0289 and mention the IFBA event.
If you have a smart phone, John Ward has created an app just for the Inishfood weekend – you can check it out here.
If you’d like to take part in what’s sure to be an unforgettable weekend and what the Bridgestone Guides have called the foodie event of the year, drop us a line at and be sure to join the group on the IFBA website.
Processing your request, Please wait....
TheGlutton said on February 15, 2011
This sounds like such a brilliant trip!
Caroline@Bibliocook said on February 15, 2011
That’s the plan! Lots of lovely food and foodie indulgences.
Yvonne - Hey Pesto! said on February 15, 2011
Sounds much better than the ‘wild west hen’ party I’m supposed to be at that night!
Norbert Thul said on February 15, 2011
I am booking this fantastic event right now.
Joanna - Smörgåsblog said on February 16, 2011
So excited! Trying to decide where I want to stay. Let a message on the group page about sharing lifts from Dublin to Donegal.
Darren Bradley said on February 16, 2011
i would recommend Linsfort castle if they have availability, Alan & Bridgeen Rooks are great hosts, and the place has real character and only 1min walk to the beach
Catherine @ The Runcible Spoon said on February 21, 2011
This just gets better and better – thank you to Caroline, Kristin, Donal and all the demo-ers! Can’t wait to get stuck in.
Caroline@Bibliocook said on February 22, 2011
I have to say Catherine that more thanks is due to Donal for the Donegal organising and Kristin for the co-ordinating than to me. It is looking fabulous, isn’t it!
Donal Doherty said on February 23, 2011
Can’t wait for this event & welcome you all up. Really will be an amazing day & worth the trip. So pleased how everyone had rolled in behind this & everyone is helping out with free time, making it a real foodie people’s event. Brilliant.
Caroline@Bibliocook said on February 23, 2011
You can’t be looking forward to it as much as we are! Good food, good people, good conversation – and no kids! Kristin and I are especially appreciating this
Tara Walker said on February 23, 2011
Really looking forward to it. Trying to decide whether I should bring the husband :0)
It says the B&Bs are 15 & 25 mins from Harrys- is this on foot or by car?
Kristin said on February 23, 2011
Tara, those times are by car. Bring your fella, the more the merrier!
Sarah said on February 23, 2011
Sooo looking forward to this! Will be great to see ye all
david tiernan said on February 23, 2011
looking forward to presenting our cheese to so many people , hopefully no one will be dissapointed, even thinking about bringing some delicious raw milk with me.
see you allthere !
Caroline@Bibliocook said on February 23, 2011
After selling (and eating lots of) your Glebe Brethan in Urru Mallow, I can confidently say that no one will be disappointed, David.
Keith Bohanna said on February 23, 2011
I can confidently say that this is not one for vegans and probably even vegetarians.
Deadly looking day, hope it is really enjoyed by all
keith
Leanne Doohan said on February 27, 2011
If you are looking for a place to stay, I would highly recommend The Red Door country house in Fahan. They have 4 double rooms and each one is absolutely stuuning, as is the setting. (www.thereddoor.ie or http://www.facebook.com/TheRedDoorFahan).
Aoife McElwain said on February 27, 2011
Sounds brilliant, I can’t wait!
Audrey Gaffney said on March 1, 2011
So mad to be missing this!! If I can get out of my plans (doubtful!!) I’m there!!
So enjoy….. Mad jealous!!
Caroline@Bibliocook said on March 1, 2011
We’re getting such an amazing response to the weekend – I’m so looking forward to it!
Sheila Kiely said on March 10, 2011
..gutted to be missing this one. Have a ball everyone