DESTINATION IRELAND
AUTUMN 22 12
we ran the gamut of flavours . We stood in the shallow surf as Marie cut fresh tasters from the growing plants , nibbling on the various seletions . If you ’ ll excuse me mangling my metaphors , it was an eye-opener for our taste buds .
Marie ’ s passion and enthusiasm for spreading the word about seaweed ’ s uses is a joy , and if you really want to delve deeper into the gastronomic delights of this vitamin-packed , mega-healthy ingredient it ’ s well worth checking out her comprehensive book on the subject , The Sea Garden .
Our final destination probably needs no introduction - The Cliff House Hotel in the pretty-as-a-picture village of Ardmore in south Waterford .
Ardmore is a delight , with its stunning beach , 4km cliff walk , a 12th century cathedral and round tower , and the monastic ruins of St Declan - the St Patrick of the Deise - which is the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland . The area is not so much steeped in history as drenched , marinated and oozing it from every pore , nook and cranny . Ardmore
As for The Cliff House Hotel ? Well , being a first-time visitor I had expected a lot having heard its praises sung by so many for so long , and it delivered - oh , how it delivered .
We were blessed with some fine , sunny weather in which to enjoy the delicious views from the bar on the decking , and the peaceful silence was only broken by the lapping waves below , a passing kayaker or the children bellyflopping off the nearby pier .
An eight-course Michelin Star tasting menu was on offer , and after all the walking , foraging , exploring and general exhaustion we convinced ourselves we deserved it . Head chef Ian Doyle is obviously some sort of epicurean genius , and we dined as much with our eyes as our palates while savouring this rare treat .
Our hunter-gatherer predecessors may not agree with us modern softies , but after all , aren ’ t the legends , folklore and magic of our ancient history always better discussed , dissected and recalled while enjoying the luxury and trappings of 21st-century life ?
Go discover our Celtic routes , you won ’ t regret it .
Hook Head