A perfect Hideaway
Christine and Dermot Gannon have created a flawless hideaway experience in the Tipperary countryside. Our short one night stay turned out to be one of my most enjoyable travel experiences ever.
My lovely mother-in-law Mary got myself and Catherine a night away in The Old Convent as a present last Christmas. It came very highly recommended by her sister-in-law Marie whose standards are very high. We headed off from Bandon mid-afternoon on a Friday and arrived little more than an hour later in Clogheen.
Posted by Conor O'Neill on Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Hugh Does it Again
I think I’ve pretty much seen every TV programme that Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has made. The quality/interest has varied over the years but I’m really digging (pun intended) this new series.
The show has the same premise as things like Jamie at Home where the focus is on growing and cooking seasonally. Obviously this is all about Spring and early summer and the first episode focused on lettuce, spinach etc.
You won’t see a huge number of recipes but you will see different approaches to vegetables and produce so that they go centre stage.
Posted by Conor O'Neill on Thursday, June 5, 2008
Bandon Music Festival
The annual festival is on this weekend, starting tomorrow and ending Sunday. Manic Mammy has put together a list of videos from some of the acts. Fingers crossed for good weather!
Posted by Conor O'Neill on Thursday, May 29, 2008
Elephants on Inchydoney, careful now.
Just in from my sis. Some very cool Elephants on Inchydoney beach in Clon for the next few days.
It’s actually a project involving Clonakilty Macra and other local community groups to to highlight the plight of the Asian Elephant. I’ll be taking a trip down for sure.
Posted by Conor O'Neill on Thursday, May 29, 2008
Lovely lunch in Italistro
Thrilled to find a nice new local place with good tasty well-priced unpretentious food which I think will suit our family perfectly. I’ve also heard good things from several others.
Italistro opened several months ago and immediately caught my eye because, despite being on a street I rarely visit, they advertised on the side of the building in their lovely brand colours and I see it every time I go through town.
Posted by Conor O'Neill on Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Another Bandon Blogger
There ain’t many of us so it’s great to see another Bandon Blog start. This time it’s the good people in Kilbrogan House BandB. Already a bunch of good posts. The one about Starbucks is particularly interesting. Check it out!
Posted by Conor O'Neill on Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Mint didn't leave me feeling refreshed
An unsatisfying mix of excellent food and wine with haphazard service and crazy pricing. The most expensive meal we’re ever had but sadly not the best.
Regular readers of the blog know that I was blown away by the documentary on Dylan McGrath getting his Michelin star for Mint. When my parents gave me a 40th birthday present of a meal for two there, I was gobsmacked and couldn’t wait to go.
Posted by Conor O'Neill on Saturday, May 24, 2008
Watch out for phone scammers
I’ve just been called by an automated system claiming to be Cork number 021-42790990. The message says that’s I’ve won some bullshit competition and to press 9 now to claim it. You can be damn sure this either results in me calling a premium rate number or they’ll just need get my bank details from me. So if you get some whiny American voice telling you to press 9 now, don’t!
Posted by Conor O'Neill on Friday, May 2, 2008
Retro Fans Rejoice
I just heard about this site yesterday and it’s absolutely wonderful. They have a ton of the old ZX Spectrum games available to play online and your scores are included in various league tables. A perfect 21st Century improvement to 20th Century games.
Most of your old faves are there, I’ve just been playing the ever-brilliant Jet Set Willy. I love just clicking around and being reminded of many happy hours as a teenager in the 80’s.
Posted by Conor O'Neill on Sunday, April 27, 2008
Motorbike Racing Today!
It’s that time of year again where men in tight leather pants race up and down the Clon road at Old Chapel on bright yellow motorbikes :-)
We’ve gone down for a look a couple of times over the years and it is genuinely a very exciting event. Noise, burning rubber, unburnt fuel and fabulous bikes. My kids think it’s fantastic and hopefully the baby won’t screech this time.
Now if only the rain would hold off so we don’t have any accidents.
Posted by Conor O'Neill on Sunday, April 20, 2008