Notes From The Emerald Isle

I can't remember the last time I was in Ireland for St Patrick's Day - it has to be more than 35 years. As a child it was a big deal because it always fell in lent and on St Patrick's Day you could have whatever you gave up - in my case, candy or sweeties as we called them. This year I am very happy to be on the Emerald Isle after a busy tradeshow season. I thought you might be interested in one of the things Walt and I enjoy doing in County Cork and why we're so partial to this part of the country. 

There's a terrific food culture here in the most southerly county in the country also known as the rebel county. That's definitely a big draw for us foodie/wine folk. One of our favorites is the English Market. It is the oldest covered market in Europe and one of the oldest municipal markets in the world. It has been going since 1788. You would swear you're in Paris not Cork. Our favorite stalls are the fish stalls brimming over with a huge variety of fish, the vegetable stalls with amazing root vegetables, the gorgeous Irish bread and creamy butters. There are lots of artisan products made in the county from cheese to crackers, local honey to chocolate. Spices galore abound and oh the radishes! There's also all kinds of chickens, pheasants, pork and duck. A lovely thing to do after ambling through the market is to dander upstairs to the restaurant above that is open and looks down on the shoppers below. It really is a must visit when you're in this part of the world. 

We wish you a very Happy St Patrick's Day wherever or however you might celebrate. We will still have wine on St Patrick's Day but maybe we'll get to listen to some Irish music in a pub. Slainte!