Sheep's Head Penninsula
The Old Line Biscuit Company
A cheese factory isn’t usually where you’d expect to find a dairy farming operation. But that’s exactly what Toon’s Bridge Dairy Farm does. Located just outside the town of Macroom in County Cork, Ireland, it produces award winning artisanal cheeses, olive oil and pizzas. And it’s doing well enough to expand into a second location. The original Toon’s bridge opened in 2016 in the small village of Ballyvourney, about 12 miles away from Macroom. In addition to selling its products directly to restaurants and retailers, the company also offers tours of the facility. Visitors are able to see how the milk gets transformed into cheese and how the finished product is packaged. They can even sample some of the cheeses produced there. Toon’s Bridge Dairy is owned by Andrew O'Brien and his wife, Caroline. He says he got the idea for the business while working as a chef in London. "I wanted to do something different," he explains. "I came across a cheese maker in France who had a similar setup to what I was looking at." O'Brien found a supplier willing to sell him equipment and began producing cheese. Then one day, he saw a sign advertising a cheese shop opening up near his home. "That was the spark," he recalls. "I thought, 'Why don't we start our own?'" In 2017, O'Brien and his family moved to Macroom and set up shop. They bought land next door and built a larger facility capable of producing twice as much cheese as the previous space. Today, the pair grows their own grassfed cows and milks them twice daily. From there, the milk goes through three stages of production. First, it's pasteurized and homogenized. Next, it undergoes fermentation and ripening. Finally, the curds are cut and pressed into wheels. Once the process is complete, the wheels go through aging and drying. During this stage, the cheese develops flavor and texture. Once dry, the cheese is packed and shipped off to customers. As part of the expansion, O'Brien plans to add a retail store to the property. Customers will be able to buy cheese straight from the source and take it home.

Rolf's Country House
The Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork, Ireland is one of the most popular culinary destinations in the world. With over 300 students enrolled each week, it offers classes in everything from bread baking to chocolate making. And now you can experience the magic yourself without having to spend thousands of dollars on lessons. In partnership with the hotel, we offer a four-course meal for £29 per person. This includes a starter, main course, dessert and coffee or tea. You don't even need to book ahead - just turn up at the restaurant and enjoy a delicious meal. We recommend booking well in advance though, especially during peak season. If you're planning a trip to Ireland, why not make sure you know what you're getting into? Booking online gives you access to our exclusive member discounts.
Casey's of Baltimore Hotel
Kinsale is famous for its fresh fish. And it’s no wonder why. Located just off Cork’s southern coast, Kinsale is home to some of Ireland’s finest restaurants serving up freshly caught seafood. But how do you know whether or not the fish you are eating is really fresh? Well, here’s a list of things to look out for. 1. Look for bright eyes. Fresh fish always have clear eyes. If the eyes are cloudy or milky, then the fish isn’t very fresh. 2. Check the smell. When buying fish, check the smell. If there’s a strong smell, don’t buy it. A fishy smell is usually a sign of poor quality. 3. Look for slime. Slime is another good indicator of freshness. Don’t buy fish with lots of slime. 4. Look for firm flesh. Firm flesh indicates that the fish hasn’t been frozen. Frozen fish is often tasteless and rubbery. 5. Look for red gills. Red gills indicate that the fish has been alive for less than 24 hours. Green gills mean that the fish has been dead for longer than 24 hours. 6. Look for a shiny exterior. Shiny skin is a sign that the fish has been properly cleaned.

Greenes, Cork for fancy dining
Mead is the oldest alcoholic beverage known to man. Archaeologists believe it originated somewhere along the Silk Road in China during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). It was brought to Ireland by the Romans. In fact, there are many kinds of meads around the world, including Honey Wine, Apple Wine, Spiced Wine, Barley Wine and Cider. Mead is produced by fermenting honey with water and yeast. Kinsale Mead Company makes mead from local honey. They call it "the original fermented honey drink." The Kinsale Mead Company offers tours where you can sample different types of mead. You can try the traditional style, flavored varieties, or even a special blend called "Taste of History." The tour guides explain how the process works and what each flavor tastes like. Then, you take home some samples to enjoy later. Sage, Midleton The owner of this Irish restaurant says he wants his customers to feel like part of the family. He serves traditional dishes such as shepherd’s pie, steak and kidney pudding and chicken pot pie. But he also offers something different — a menu full of vegetarian options. And it works. Customers say they love the food and the atmosphere. They even come back again and again. This is an allvegetarain restaurant in Cork city centre that offers three courses for €25. The menu includes dishes such as lentil soup, mushroom risotto, vegetable lasagne, sweet potato gnocchi and beetroot salad. Bookings are recommended.
Cask, Cork for expertly crafted cocktails
Cork has long been known as one of Ireland’s most beautiful cities. But did you know that there are over 50 Michelin star rated restaurants in Cork alone? And that Cork has some of the best food in Ireland? We asked our resident expert, chef John Mullins, to tell us about five reasons why Cork tastes amazing. 1. Cork City is home to the second largest urban park in Europe – Phoenix Park. This green space covers 730 acres and includes the city’s zoo, botanic gardens, museums and art galleries. 2. In recent years, Cork has become renowned for its innovative chefs. Some of the world’s most famous names hail from Cork including Seamus Heaney, Paul Hollywood, Anthony Bourdain and Nuala O'Connor. 3. Cork is home to the oldest working brewery in Ireland - Jameson Distillery. Established in 1780, Jameson is still family owned today. 4. If you love seafood, you’ll love the variety of fish found off the coast of Cork. From cod to salmon, mackerel to mussels, there’s something for everyone. 5. Cork is just 30 minutes away from Dublin Airport, making it easy to access. So whether youre planning a weekend break or heading out for a week, Cork is the perfect base.


Cafe Paradiso, Cork for legendary vegetarian food
Cork has some great places to dine out. Here are five spots that we think deserve a special mention. 1. Farmgate Café The menu here changes every day depending on what's in season. But it always includes dishes like grilled halloumi with roasted capsicum and red onion salsa, and roast chicken breast with garlic and thyme butter. 2. Ballymaloe House Restaurant This Michelin star restaurant serves up traditional Irish food such as shepherd's pie, bangers and mash and fish stew. 3. The Old Rectory A popular place for Sunday lunches, the Old Rectory offers delicious homemade breads and cakes. Try the chocolate brownie cake with ice cream. It's got the English market The English Market in Cork City is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Ireland. In fact, it’s so popular that there are over 400 stalls selling everything from food to clothing to crafts. And while you might think that the market is just another tourist trap, there’s actually some serious history behind it. Cork's English Market opened in 1788 and quickly became a place where people could buy goods directly from local vendors. Over the years, the market expanded into what we see today, becoming home to hundreds of small businesses. Today, the English Market is still owned by the city government, although many of the stalls now belong to independent traders.
The English Market, Cork for exploring Ireland's larder
Cork is known for its beautiful beaches, lush countryside, and picturesque towns. But it’s also home to one of the world’s greatest food cultures. From traditional Irish dishes like bangers and mash to classic American comfort food such as macaroni and cheese, there’s something for everyone. And you don’t even have to go out of town to enjoy it. You can find everything from artisanal cheeses to award-winning wines right here in Cork City. It's got great food experiences on its doorstep Ireland is experiencing a boom in food tourism, with many people travelling overseas to sample local specialities. "There are some amazing restaurants here," says chef David O'Connell. "I think it's probably one of the best cuisines in the world." He adds: "You've got a lot of spices, you've got a lot of herbs, you've got a very interesting history behind Irish cooking. I think there's something really exciting about eating in Ireland." The country's traditional recipes include lamb stew, fish pie, shepherd's pie, bangers and mash and black pudding. But today, chefs are experimenting with modern influences too. For example, in Dublin, there's a restaurant called L'Gueuleton, where diners can tuck into French-inspired dishes such as steak tartare, cassoulet and coq au vin. In Cork, visitors can enjoy a tasting menu at Ballymaloe Cookery School. And in Galway, there's a Michelin-starred restaurant called Daelaíocht, which serves up inventive dishes including lobster ravioli and sea bass with fennel and wild garlic. But while the UK tends to focus on London and the south east, Ireland offers a much wider range of culinary delights. "We're fortunate because we have a wide variety of landscapes and climates," explains O'Connell. "So you've got mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches, forests, islands - so you've got a huge variety of things to do." He adds: "If you want to go somewhere warm, you can go to Spain; if you want to go somewhere cold, you can go to Iceland. If you want to go somewhere wet, you can go to Scotland. So there's loads of different options." And the weather is always perfect. "When I'm working outside, I just love being able to sit down and relax," he says. "Because it's nice and sunny every day."

Do people go out to eat at home more often than they go out to drink?
No. People tend to prefer going out to socialize rather than eating at home.
Are gratuities included in the price of my meal?
Most places charge extra for gratuity. So, if you order $10 worth of food, you might expect to pay around $15 total.
Are they open on holidays?
Most restaurants are closed on national holidays. Some restaurants stay open on holidays though.