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Irish Times
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Ten great food trucks and restaurant pop-ups around Ireland
Caitlin Ruth Caitlin Ruth's food truck has a strong emphasis on local and seasonal produce Based in west Cork , Ruth's food truck has a constantly changing menu, with a strong emphasis on local and seasonal produce. The summer schedule will see the truck in Black's of Kinsale (brewery and distillery) for three weeks starting June 11th, Wednesday-Saturday. (Booking essential, tickets go on sale second week of May via link on Instagram). There will be a two-night pop-up at Goleen Harbour on July 4th and 5th, then for three weeks in August, it's Levis in Ballydehob. Little Catch Denise Darrer of Little Catch Seafood Bar. Photograph: Dylan Vaughan Seafood-led food truck with a rotating menu – Copper Coast lobster and crayfish roll, Kilmore Quay crab roll, prawn bao, smoked haddock arancini, chowder, sole sandwiches and curried tempura pollock. Locally sourced fish. Moves between spots in Waterford and Wexford – check Instagram for updates. Misunderstood Heron After losing its spot on the edge of the Killary Fjord, this much loved food truck will now be popping up from June to September at P Dans pub in Louisburgh, Co Mayo. Mountain View Markets The farmers market at Mountain View, Ballyhale, Co Kilkenny. Photograph: Dylan Vaughan. In Ballyhale, Co Kilkenny, Mountain View has a range of artisanal shops and plenty of options for food. But get there early on busy summer weekends, as some of the more popular food stalls can sell out. READ MORE Mushroom Butcher In a dark, humid former retail unit in Portobello, Mark Senn and Ingrid Baceviciute grow their own mushrooms and serve them hot from a Saturday food truck. The menu changes weekly – tacos, sushi, flatbreads, and the now-famous mushroom fillet roll. Don't miss the crème brûlée doughnuts if they're on. [ Ireland's bakery boom: 'Customers will spend a tenner on an interesting pastry and a good coffee' Opens in new window ] Pot Duggans Pot Duggans, Ennistymon, Co Clare Situated overlooking the Cullenagh river in Ennistymon, Co Clare, Pot Duggans has great pizzas, as well as sandwiches and heartier dishes including hot pot and lamb stew. Snappy Snappy Snappy Snappy, Letterfrack: It's all about the crab At Dooneen Pier, just outside Letterfrack in Connemara, Snappy Snappy offers just one thing – delicious fresh crabmeat. Okay, there are a couple of options (roll or open sourdough sandwich, lemon and dill or chilli dressing) but it's all about the crab here. Sumi's Kitchen Sumi's kitchen, Beggar's Bush, Dublin 4 Tucked behind Ryan's of Beggar's Bush pub off Haddington Road in Dublin 4, this Maharashtrian food truck has built a loyal following since 2023. Expect vada pav, onion bhajis and rotating specials like black pepper soya curry, fish thali or egg lababdar – updates on Instagram. Swords Castle Food Market Swords Castle, Co Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times On one Saturday each month from April to September, Swords Castle turns over its medieval courtyard to numerous artisan food stalls, as well as fresh produce vendors, family activities and food-related talks in the restored chapel. Trawler Boyz Trawler Boyz'signature seafood spice box Seafood should be fun, and nowhere is it more joyous than down in Ballycotton at the rear of The Blackbird pub. Here chef Jimmy Hallinan mixes traditional seafood dishes with street food creations – choose from fish and chips, seafood chowder, the crispy prawn satay box or the signature seafood spice box.
Irish Examiner
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Maximum star-power in Bantry as Graham Norton and Ryan Tubridy join forces for fun evening
Could there have been a more fitting finale to this year's West Cork Literary Festival than an evening with Graham Norton? The bestselling author, beloved broadcaster, and proud son of West Cork brought his star power home for a sold-out event in Bantry that's been the talk of the summer. And who better to interview him than Ryan Tubridy? This is exclusive subscriber content. Already a subscriber? Sign in Take us with you this summer. Annual €130€65 Best value Monthly €12€6 / month
Irish Examiner
18-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Mick Clifford: Sophie Toscan du Plantier case still haunts Ireland's legal and political system
Nearly 30 years after the brutal murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, the fall-out continues apace. In June, a new docudrama made by Jim Sheridan about the case premiered at the Tribeca film festival in New York. It portrays what a trial of Ian Bailey, the chief suspect in the murder, would have looked like. This follows from a documentary made a few years ago by Mr Sheridan and another produced by Netflix. There has been the West Cork podcast, a highly regarded series on the case and various books. One of the latter was the focus of a new departure in the case this week – an application to bring a private prosecution against its author, Senan Molony, and also the person who launched the book, Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Frenchwoman Ms Du Plantier's body was found outside her holiday home in Schull in December 1996. Ian Bailey was twice arrested for the murder. He was never charged. In 2019, a French court convicted Ian Bailey in absentia of the murder and sentencing him to 20 years in prison. File picture: Dan Linehan In 2019, a French court convicted him in absentia of the murder and sentencing him to 20 years in prison. The Irish courts refused to extradite him. Mr Bailey continued to live in West Cork until he collapsed and died in Bantry in January 2024. There has, over the years, been two prevailing narratives about Mr Bailey and whether or not he was responsible for the murder. One has been the perception among large swathes of the public that Mr Bailey must have been the murderer. This has been based on the various strands of circumstantial evidence against him. A number of accounts, including the Netflix documentary, and the book at issue in the private prosecution, have veered towards this conclusion. At the other end of the spectrum has been the relatively boring but absolutely vital business of actual evidence and whether or not it amounted to a realistic chance of prosecution of Ian Bailey for murder. One central figure in that respect was Robert Sheehan, a prosecutor who spent most of his career in the office of the DPP. In 2001, he wrote an analysis of the garda investigation into Mr Bailey and what evidence existed that could be used in a prosecution. The document went through each facet of the case in detail, from the complete absence of forensics, to Mr Bailey's statements and behaviour, circumstantial evidence, and the character of the chief witness on whom much of the case against Mr Bailey would hang, Marie Farrell. Former DPP Robert Sheehan (pictured) concluded that there was no case to prosecute Mr Bailey and in a few places he even suggested that evidence pointed to the suspect's innocence. File picture: Courtpix Mr Sheehan concluded that there was no case to prosecute Mr Bailey and in a few places he even suggested that evidence pointed to the suspect's innocence. That document did not see the light of day for over 10 years. Then in 2011, the incumbent DPP Jim Hamilton made available Mr Sheehan's analysis ahead of an extradition request from the French government. Mr Hamilton felt that the document was vital evidence for the Supreme Court to consider. The court subsequently declined to extradite Mr Bailey. Fast forward to last September and the launch of another book on the case, Sophie: The Final Verdict. The Taoiseach did the honours for author and journalist Senan Molony. At the event, Mr Martin mused that he couldn't understand the 'legal principles' that were applied which concluded Mr Bailey should not be prosecuted. 'The simple fact is that we failed in our duty to find and convict a bloody murderer — and our system blocked alternative routes when others were not willing to accept our failures,' he said. In the book Sophie: The final verdict, Senan Molony is critical of Sheehan's analysis, suggesting that the solicitor acted as a 'one man jury' in arriving at his conclusions. In the book itself, Mr Molony is critical of Sheehan's analysis, suggesting that the solicitor acted as a 'one man jury' in arriving at his conclusions. Mr Sheehan interpreted passages in the book, along with public comments from both the Taoiseach and Mr Maloney, as impinging on his professionalism. He could have sued for defamation. He told the Irish Examiner he didn't go down this route because 'the financial cost of losing a case would leave you ruined'. It is a moot point as to how strong any such case would be. One way or the other, his conclusion in that respect is entirely valid. A defamation action can be ruinous. In the recent Gerry Adams libel action against the BBC he was awarded €100,000 by the jury. The costs for which the BBC now falls liable are estimated to be north of €2m. Instead of seeking resolution in the civil courts, Mr Sheehan corresponded with the DPP and set out his intention of applying for permission to take a private prosecution against the two individuals. As the alleged offences are indictable, the DPP would have to be involved. Ian Bailey was twice arrested for Sophie Toscan du Plantier's murder. He was never charged. File picture: Dan Linehan Then last Monday he applied to Dun Laoghaire District Court for the issuing of the summons, but his request was turned down. He says he may now appeal to the circuit court or bring his case to the European Court of Human Rights. More than anything the affair highlights once more the gulf in this case between what has been determined in the court of public opinion and the decision that Mr Bailey did not have a case to answer in a criminal court. Mr Sheehan's analysis was detailed and clear headed but crucially he was not an outlier. His boss at the time, Eamon Barnes, concurred with his conclusions. So did Mr Barnes successor, Mr Hamilton. Experienced senior counsel, one of whom has gone on to be a high court judge, were retained for opinions and they all reached the same conclusion. 'There was certainly no lack of enthusiasm to prosecute him if the facts suggested that there was evidence against him,' Supreme Court judge Adrian Hardiman noted when the case was before him. One recurring line from the barstool opinion was that Mr Bailey should have just been put on trial and let a jury decide on his guilt or innocence. That implies that there is no need for a prima facie case to be established before somebody should be charged and tried with an offence. In other words, if he looks like he might have done it, if he – as Mr Bailey had – displays a personality that is extremely unattractive, let a jury decide whether or not he did it. If the day comes when that passes for due process in a liberal democracy, we're all in trouble. Read More Mick Clifford: Tánaiste makes uncharacteristic lapse with Ian Bailey comments
Irish Times
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Win tickets to The Big Grill BBQ & Food Festival.
Cheesemaker and all-round artisan legend Fingal Ferguson of Gubbeen, West Cork, will take you through a guided tasting that celebrates the craft, character, and sheer joy of great cheese. From buttery classics to bold, washed-rind winders, this four-course pairing with Irish craft beer explores the balance of tradition and invention - all served with Fingal's trademark charm, storytelling and a healthy dose of funk. Herbert Park becomes the very hottest of food destinations (literally) when The Big Grill BBQ & Food Festival returns, running from Thursday, August 14th to Sunday, August 17th, and bringing together some of the world's most celebrated grill masters, flame tamers and culinary pioneers - all in one park, for one unmissable weekend. To sample dishes from this calibre of chefs, you'd normally have to cross oceans. From Texas, the heartland of barbecue, come John Bates of InterStella Barbecue (Michelin-starred BBQ? Yes, really), Ali Clem of the legendary La Barbecue, and Ernest Servantes & Dave Kirkland of Burnt Bean Co., recently crowned the No.1 BBQ restaurant in Texas by barbecue bible, Texas Monthly . But it's not just Texan smoke. From London comes Kaneda Pen (Mamapen), the Cambodian-born chef and founder of Mamapen, bringing Central London's only Cambodian BBQ concept to Dublin for the first time. And Mursal Saiq and Joshua Moroney, the visionaries behind Cue Point LDN, bring a taste of their inclusive, Afghan/British BBQ powerhouse, blending rich Afghan heritage with British ingredients, serving up smoked meats with a strong social to home, Killian Walsh of Dublin's Michelin-starred Bastible brings fire to the demo stage, while Tolu Asemota of IBÍLÈ serves up his bold, West African-inspired creations, rich with tradition and innovation. Whether you're a hardcore carnivore or just BBQ-curious, Big Grill is Europe's largest BBQ & food festival, and it's built for taste adventurers. Wander through smoky, spice-laden air as you pick from open-fire feasts, savour rare global flavours, and experience dishes you simply won't find anywhere else in Ireland, or even in Europe. With live-fire cooking, music, chilli-eating challenges, Little Grillers for the kids, and Offside dining for those looking to go deeper into the food journey, this a full-flavour, round the world experience. Bring your crew and settle in — the world's best BBQ has been brought to you. For more info, click here for the full line up and tickets. For your chance to win, simply fill in the form below. Good luck! Terms & Condition The promotion is open to residents of Ireland aged 18 years or over except employees of the Promoter, their families, agents or anyone professionally connected with the promotion. A valid entry consists of a correct answer entered in the form above, accompanied by the entrant's name, email address and a phone number. No applications from agents, third parties, organised groups or applications automatically generated by computer will be accepted. No incomplete, illegible, or corrupted entries will be accepted. No entries not in accordance with the entry instructions will be accepted. The Promotion will run from 16/07/2025 to midnight on 03/08/2025 inclusive. All entries must be received by the Promotor by no later than midnight on the Closing Date. All competition entries received after the Closing Date are automatically disqualified. Promotion limited to one entry per person. No entrant will win more than one prize. By submitting an entry to the Promotor, you are agreeing to be bound by these terms and conditions. It is the responsibility of You, the entrant, to provide correct, up-to-date details when entering the promotion and on acceptance of the prize. The Promoter cannot be held responsible for winners failing to supply accurate information which affects prize acceptance or delivery of their prize Responsibility will not be accepted for entries lost, damaged, delayed or prevented as a result of any event beyond the Promoter's control including, but not limited to, user error and any network, computer, hardware or software failures of any kind.. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt. Entries will become the property of the Promoter. The prize is two Sunday, August 17th tickets to The Big Grill BBQ & Food Festival with exclusive access to Fingal Ferguson's 'Curd of the Rings' Offside lunch. There will be one winner. All prizes will be subject to any additional terms and conditions of the supplier of the prize to the Promoter. This prize cancan only be used on the Sunday, August 17th and cannot be refunded or redeemed for cash. The Promoter shall not be liable for any loss, including, without limitation, indirect, special or consequential loss, or loss of profits, damage or consequential damage of any nature in contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise caused by the acceptance of the terms and conditions or in connection with the prize, save for any liability which cannot be excluded by law. In the event of unforeseen circumstances the Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize for an alternative of equal or greater value. The winners will be notified by email. The winner must claim the prize within 30 days of the notification. If the prize is unclaimed after this time, it will lapse and the Promoter reserves the right to offer the unclaimed prize to a substitute winner selected in accordance with the Promotion rules. Where a winner has successfully claimed the prize, the Promoter shall dispatch, or arrange to dispatch, the prize to the winner at the earliest opportunity. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall be interpreted as placing an obligation on the Promoter to dispatch, or arrange to dispatch, the prize within a specified period of time. The Promoters' decision is final and binding in all matters and no correspondence will be entered into. The winners' details (name and county) will be made available on The Irish Times website. The winner may be required to participate in unpaid publicity arising from this promotion. The Promotor will only process your personal information as set out in and as set out in these terms and conditions. Prizes are non transferrable and cannot be exchanged for cash. These terms and conditions shall be governed by Irish law and the Courts of the Republic of Ireland shall have exclusive jurisdiction. Promoter and Data Controller: The Irish Times DAC, The Irish Times Building, P.O. Box 74, 24 - 28 Tara Street, Dublin 2. The Promoter reserves the right to hold void, suspend, cancel or amend the Promotion where it becomes necessary to do so.
Irish Examiner
15-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Podcast Corner: West Cork crew tackle intriguing tale of mystery in Havana
It's been over seven years since the West Cork podcast was first released via Audible. It was subsequently made widely available in 2021 to coincide with Ian Bailey's trial in France, where he was found guilty of the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier. Made by Sam Bungey and Jennifer Forde, West Cork is one of the best true crime podcast series ever made, right up there with season one of Serial. While subsequent promotion, events, and tie-ins (a deal to adapt it for TV was struck in 2021) took up much of their life since, Bungey and Forde found time to focus on an entirely separate investigation for the series Havana Helmet Club, released via BBC Sounds. Forde, in the opening episode Psychological Fortitude, says: 'A recording of the otherworldly sound was posted on Twitter. At the time, we were on an all-consuming deadline for a podcast about an unsolved murder in West Cork, Ireland.' Bungey continues: 'But we were pulled in by this mystery sound.' Havana Helmet Club explores this otherworldly and mystery sound, which was allegedly experienced by more than 200 victims of 'Havana Syndrome'. In 2016 CIA agents and US diplomats working in Cuba started reporting a sensation of standing in an invisible beam of energy, a throbbing pressure, or being deafened by a screeching noise. They said the experience left them with terrifying after-effects including loss of vision and hearing, vertigo, brain fog and loss of balance. Others, however, believe the syndrome is a myth. Is it just an example of a mass psychogenic illness, a product of hysteria and overactive imaginations? That is what Bungey and Forde seek to uncover. 'We were fascinated by the unsettling nature of Havana Syndrome - how it seems to exist in a space between science, politics, and human perception,' says Forde. 'We've spoken to key figures, whistleblowers, and those directly affected to uncover what might be behind this mystery.' Bungey says: 'Our aim is to present the human stories at the centre of this phenomenon — those who say their lives have been upended, and those who believe this is all an illusion. It's a puzzle that remains unsolved, and we're excited for listeners to join us on this journey.' It's a long way from West Cork to Cuba, and listeners of the former will need to pay close attention to the 10-part series - it's incredibly dense and with its talk of undercover spies at funerals to exploding glasses at dinner parties, is perfect for fans of John Le Carré novels or the podcast The Rest is Classified. Read More Live Aid at 40: Tom Dunne and Irish Examiner readers share their memories
