Articles

A much loved fixture in Greystones for as long as many of its customers can remember, The Happy Pear recently marked two decades of “flavourful food, cheerful community and happy, healthy living – all powered by veg”.
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Our national chocoholism is no secret and it revs up to top gear at Easter, - when it’s not just about eggs but all kinds of symbols of spring - while theme-free top quality chocolates make the perfect all-year treat. While Ireland’s growing reputation for quality chocolate is largely thanks to excellent mainstream producers such as Butlers, Lily O'Briens, and Lir, smaller-scale chocolate specialists are increasingly making a big impact as well. We've selected just ten of Ireland's growing band of top chocolatiers, who produce everything from exquisite creations for the most discerning recipient to fun family gifts. All of those below offer an online shopping and delivery service, but in-person shopping is always fun - particularly if you visit a specialist like Cork favourite The Chocolate Shop at the city's English Market where Irish producers take their place among 'the best quality chocolate from the best artisan chocolatiers throughout the world' and the range includes organic, 100% cocoa bars & powders, gluten-free and diabetic chocolate. What's not to love…
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Tuesday 4th March 2025 was a proud day for Irish Food Writers’ Guild members, as we announced our 32nd annual Irish Food Awards. And - with their reminder this year that greenwashing and food waste are more pervasive than consumers realise - the common threads of sustainability and ethical food that have been central to the Guild down through the years are more relevant than ever today.
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A very interesting (and enjoyable) event took place recently at Kish Fish on the West Pier in Howth. Named after a nearby lighthouse, the business dates back 1966 when Tadgh O’Meara - father of the current owners, Tadgh & Damian near here - had a stand at the old Dublin Fish Market. Nearly six decades on, it’s a thriving business employing 150...
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There’s something very cathartic about the post-Christmas/New Year period. Once the decorations have been cleared away and the house cleaned up, it’s time to go through the food...
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What cook or would-be-cook doesn't love a food book for Christmas? And luckily there's no shortage of seriously interesting Irish published books to choose from, with a bumper crop this year including everything from food culture and history, to how to 'elevate the everyday'. Just a few to think about here for starters but, if time allows, there’s nothing to beat a good browse in your local bookshop. You're sure to come away with more than you meant to, but that's okay...
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Well known from her previous Dublin food businesses, The Cake Café and Slice, and for establishing the social enterprise Our Table, supporting people living in direct provision, the wonderful Michelle Darmody also has a following as a food writer - notably for her weekly column in The Examiner – and is nothing less than inspiring in her role as a sustainable food education expert...
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Well known for his regular appearances on Virgin Media One's Six O'Clock Show, where he demonstrates easy Asian-style dishes, the engaging Malaysian-born Euro-Toques restaurateur, chef and cookery teacher Shamzuri ('Sham') Hanifa has earned many fans...
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Light, colourful, tasty, quickly cooked and at its best in summer, Irish seafood is perfect for barbecues and casual entertaining.
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Ali Dunworth is well known as a writer, journalist, consultant and events curator ‘who loves writing and talking about food and drink so much that she’s made a career out of it’. And no better woman to come up with the idea for this brilliant book
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