Win a Short Break - The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge

The Mustard Seed at Echo LodgeThis months prize consists of a short break for two people in the Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge in Ballingarry, Co Limerick where good food & hospitality are firmly at the heart.

Dan Mullane's famous restaurant The Mustard Seed started life in Adare in 1985, then moved just ten minutes drive away to Echo Lodge, a spacious Victorian country residence set on seven acres of lovely gardens, with mature trees, shrubberies, kitchen garden and orchard - and very luxurious accommodation.

Elegance, comfort and generosity are the hallmarks - seen through decor and furnishings which bear the mark of a seasoned traveller whose eye has found much to delight in while wandering the world.

In addition to the main house the conversion of an old schoolhouse in the garden now provides three newer superior suites, a residents' lounge and a small leisure centre with sauna and massage room - this stylish development offers something quite different from the older rooms and is in great demand from regular guests who make Echo Lodge their base for golf and fishing holidays.

The Mustard Seed:

Food and hospitality are at the heart of Echo Lodge and it is in ensuring a memorable dining experience, most of all, that Dan Mullane’s great qualities as a host emerge.

The evening begins with aperitifs in the Library, prettily served with a tasty amuse-bouche - and this attention to detail is confirmed in the beautiful dining rooms, where fresh flowers on each table are carefully selected to complement the decor.

Angel Pirev took over as head chef in 2010 and has continued the house tradition of excellent modern Irish cooking; the wonderful organic kitchen gardens supply him with much of the produce for the 50 seater restaurant - do allow time to see them before dinner and, perhaps, hazard a guess as to what will be on the menu - while other ingredients are carefully sourced from organic farms and artisan food producers.

Menus are wide-ranging and very seasonal - the components of a delicious salad will be dictated by the leaves and herbs in season.

Each dish has its own thoughtfully considered garnish and, with such an abundance of garden produce, vegetarians need have no fear of being overlooked - every course features an unusual vegetarian offering.

Finish with Irish farmhouse cheeses at their peak of perfection, or gorgeous puddings, which are also likely to be inspired by garden produce.

Finally, irresistible home-made petits fours are served with tea or coffee, at the table or in the Library. All absolutely delicious - and, with service that is professional and efficient, yet always relaxed and warm, the hospitality here is truly exceptional.

The lucky winner of this free competition will get a short break for two people sharing (subject to availability), to include:

•  Two nights B&B
•  Dinner on one evening

Read more about The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge on their website.

To enter the competition simply tick the answers to the questions below, you must be a logged in member to enter (if you are not a member click here to join, it's free):


Question 1. In which county is Ballymaloe House Hotel located?
Co Mayo
Co Cork
Co Dublin

Question 2. What is the approximate drive time from Cork city to Ballymaloe?
1 hour
2 hours
30 minutes

Question 3. How does Ballymaloe House Hotel describe the ethos of their restaurant?
Farm-to-fork
Tide-to-Table
Nose to-Tail
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