Celtic Canada Spring 2022 by Celtic Canada

Spring 2022

Music food and friendship

Mike Hanrahan

Wander Wild Festival Set to Spring into Killarney T

he inaugural Wander Wild Festival, running from 25 – 27 March inclusive, promises a long weekend packed with unique experiences in some of the most amazing natural settings anywhere in the world. Offering an eclectic choice of events, covering outdoor pursuits, culture and food, the festival will be a fast-paced springtime experience of Killarney’s great outdoors. Situated on the Ring of Kerry, which has attracted people for hundreds of years on account of its outstanding natural beauty, Killarney is one of Ireland’s most charming and exquisitely located towns.

Killarney Lakes, County Kerry The Wander Wild Festival takes place in venues such as the town’s Anam Arts and Cultural Centre, St Mary’s Church and the festival basecamp of Cafe Du Parc, as well as in Killarney National Park, Killarney House and Gardens and the MacGillycuddy Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland. The three-day programme will have a sustainability focus and will include lots of live music, talks and guided walks, photography exhibitions and a series of feature-length films focusing on the global climate crisis, zero waste living, mountain climbing and more. Numerous tours on foot, on horseback or by bike and kayak around the surrounding

A new festival full of incredible adventures in and around the celebrated Irish town of Killarney, County Kerry, is set to get underway this spring. area will also be available. The world-famous Killarney National Park is adjacent to the town, and throughout the weekend, festival-goers can get an insider glimpse of its natural treasures through the eyes of local guides. The three spectacular lakes of Killarney will also provide stunning settings to unforgettable experiences, including trips to the iconic Innisfallen Island early monastic settlement and canoeing adventures on Muckross lake. Meanwhile the MacGillycuddy Reeks will provide the ideal challenge to adventurers. Ascend Carrauntoohill, Ireland’s highest peak, via the ‘Devil’s Ladder’ route or go rock climbing to your heart’s content.

Alternatively, learn map reading, navigation techniques and compass skills at the Gap of Dunloe, a stunningly scenic mountain pass separating the Reeks in the west from the Purple Mountain group in the east of Kerry. As County Kerry is home to some of the finest local suppliers and artisan producers anywhere in Ireland, foodies should look out for the Wander Wild Food Trail on Saturday 26 March. Killarney’s town centre pubs and restaurants will be serving the best of the county on a plate. Adventurers of all ages and abilities are welcome to the Wander Wild Festival, and there is an abundance of accommodation in the area, from five-star luxury hotels, to selfcatering cottages, guesthouses and family and pet-friendly locations. Gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way, Killarney is the perfect place to unwind, wander wild and let Irish nature awaken the body, mind and soul. Source: www.ireland.com

MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, County Kerry

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The Craic is Back!!

h, Spring is just begging to burst, kids and adults alike are ready for shamrocks and celebrations for the arrival of all things green, Saint Patrick’s Day represents the perfect time to get your green on!!! With St. Patrick’s Day parades back for the first time in 2 years across the Country there are sure to be massive celebrations, meeting old friends and new this will certainly be one of the most historic St. Patrick’s Day’s in decades with loads of fun activities to enjoy coast to coast to coast. Inside this issue we are featuring Mike Hanrahan, Mike is a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Ennis, County Clare, Hanrahan spent fifteen years with Stockton’s Wing as songwriter, guitarist and singer, and ten years with Ronnie Drew as guitarist, writer and producer. In 2016, he wrote and produced a show to commemorate the music and songs of 1916 with Kerry legend Brendan Begley. the Show Dublin Burning received critical acclaim. Stocktons Wing returned in 2017 and 2018 to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Did you know MIke is a trained cook and teacher from Ballymaloe Organic farm and Cookery school, we chatted with Mike see story inside.. Tantalize your tastebuds with some classic Irish favourites, see our famous recipes from St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Soup, Irish Guinness Stew, traditional Brown or White Soda Bread & Corned Beef… sure to have everyone around your table enjoying a traditional food fare… Enjoy some new travel ideas when visiting Ireland from the Titantic to wandering and exploring new adventures on the Wild Atlantic Way to visiting festivals in Killarney… A special thank you to all involved connecting us coast to coast to coast and to our sponsors and advertisers we would not be here without you and your support!! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!

Come join us!! Are you a member of a Celtic club or institution? Why not drop us a line. Are you in charge of a special Celtic event? Let us know. Do you own a Celtic business or provide a service that you would like to share with the 9 million Canadians claiming Celtic Heritage? Advertise with us. If it’s Irish, Welsh, Scottish, Breton or Cornish, we want to know about it. If you have a Celtic related story, interview, review or production, we want to see it. Together we can build the most comprehensive multi-media platform for all things Celtic in Canada. Please join us on the journey.

Eleanor Reynolds Publisher/Editor ECG www.ellie-corp.com Sales, Marketing & Creative Direction Graphic Design Prism Studios Advertising & Design Inc.

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Contributors John Breslin Sarah-Anne Buckley Tourism Ireland Mike Hanrahan Kevin Callahan

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Titanic Belfast

to Celebrate Ten Terrific Years

o mark its 10th anniversary on 31 March, the world-leading attraction is inviting people to share their favourite ‘Titanic Memories’ from over the last decade for the chance to be included in a special show-reel. Perhaps you popped the question to your partner, enjoyed a special trip away with family, celebrated a big birthday or bumped into your favourite celebrity – if you have a Titanic Memory then Titanic Belfast wants to hear from you. If you are one of the over six million people from around the world who have enjoyed a trip to Titanic Belfast since it 6

Voted the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction and recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic landmarks, Titanic Belfast is getting ready to mark its tenth birthday.

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opened, joining VIP guests such as Her Majesty The Queen, Titanic director James Cameron and celebrities including Adele, Sir Rod Stewart, The Backstreet Boys and Michael Bublé, then don’t miss the chance to be part of the milestone anniversary. You can share your Titanic Memories by emailing your photograph and a short blurb telling the story to digital@titanicbelfast.com.

The best movie-magic moments will be selected to star in a 10th birthday show-reel, alongside some of Titanic Belfast’s staff ’s favourite moments. The short film will be premiered during the birthday celebrations and will also be available online for people to watch around the world. First opened on 31 March 2012, the spectacular Titanic Belfast building sits on

the water’s edge beside the original Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices, the Hamilton Graving Dock and the Titanic Slipways – the very spot where the mighty RMS Titanic was designed, built and launched. Over six floors and nine interactive galleries, the stunning attraction tells the story of the legendary liner from her conception, through her construction and launch into Belfast Lough, to her fateful maiden voyage and subsequent place in history. There is no bigger story and no better place to discover it than in Titanic Belfast, which has not just captivated millions in the last ten years but has also spawned a plethora of maritime heritage attractions in the surrounding urban waterfront. Titanic Belfast is the centrepiece of the Titanic Quarter, a bustling destination within the city’s Maritime Mile. Everywhere around this iconic waterfront, you can feel and connect to the spirit of Titanic, Belfast’s rich maritime and industrial history, plus a huge range of excellent experiences. From the River Lagan and the old Clarendon Docks and Sailortown areas to the Titanic Studios, one of Europe’s largest film studios, the area is packed with exhibitions, historic buildings, a public art trail and endless Instagram moments and opportunities to delve into authentic Belfast stories.

You can take self-guided or escorted walking, cycling, tram and boat tours of the Maritime Mile in a few hours, or linger longer for a wonderful extended Belfast waterfront experience in its first-class hotels, restaurants and bars. Board SS Nomadic, the world’s last remaining White Star vessel and Titanic’s original tender ship. She is now restored to her original glory and back home in Belfast’s Hamilton Graving Dock. Check out the vast Thompson Dry Dock, the ‘footprint’ of the Titanic and the place she last sat on dry land, or take the Glass of Thrones Trail, a series of six stained-glass installations that celebrate Northern Ireland as the home of Game of Thrones®. Relax over a cocktail or afternoon tea in Titanic’s remarkable drawing offices, once the nerve centre of the largest shipyard in the world and now the luxury Titanic Hotel. As evening falls, watch the 130-year-old Great Light illuminate the old and new. Head to a concert, the cinema, or to some fine-dining, or just chill and watch the ships sail by.

You can also check out We Are Vertigo in Titanic Park for a spot of indoor skydiving, an inflatable park and a ninja master course, or head to W5, a recently revamped and much-loved science and discovery centre in the Titanic Quarter that will excite and inspire. Whiskey lovers should look out for the new Titanic Distillers due to open later this year. Housed in historic Titanic PumpHouse, a listed building in the heart of Titanic Quarter. But make sure to start – or cap – it all off with a visit to the shimmering Titanic Belfast, the biggest and best experience of the most famous ship in the world. The self-guided Titanic Experience inside Titanic Belfast will uncover the sights, sounds, smells and stories of the ship, as well as the people and city that made her, while the outdoor Discovery Tour will reveal the hidden symbolism of the iconic building as you walk in the footsteps of the designers and shipbuilders who brought the ‘ship of dreams’ to life. Source: www.ireland.com

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Old Ireland In Colour 2 O

ld Ireland in Colour 2 is the eagerly anticipated sequel to John Breslin and Sarah-Anne Buckley’s 2020 illustrated bestseller, which became the Irish publishing phenomenon of the year, winning the An Post Irish Book Award for Best Irish-Published Book and proving to be the most valuable single title in the Irish market. The book featured in every national newspaper, on The Late Late Show, on Ryan Tubridy’s radio show – it even made the homepage of CNN. Now, Breslin and Buckley have delved even deeper into Ireland’s historical archives to uncover captivating photographic gems to bring to life using their unique blend of cutting-edge technology, historical research and expert colourisation. Old Ireland in Colour 2 further celebrates the rich history of Ireland and the Irish people, from all walks of life, with all thirty-two coun- ties represented across the full-colour title. The book is divided into six sections under the broad headings of Politics and Revolution, Children and School, Working Life, Sport and Leisure, Ireland and the World, and Urban and Rural Scenes. With over 150 superb im- ages, once again accompanied by insightful captions, the book is the perfect portrait of life in Ireland throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

From the chaos of the revolutionary period to the simple beauty of the islands, from the iconic to the domestic, there is something new and inspiring to be gleaned from every single page.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS John Breslin is a Professor at NUI Galway, where he has taught engineering, computer science and entrepreneurship over a twenty-year period. He has written over 200 publications and co-authored two books. Sarah-Anne Buckley is a lecturer in History at NUI Galway and Presi- dent of the Women’s History Association of Ireland. She is cofounder of the Irish Centre for the Histories of Labour and Class.

A wounded soldier being treated in Co. Limerick during the Civil War, July 1922.

1920 - Tipperary Bleeding Statues

Off to the Horse Fair, Buttevant, Co. Cork, 1954.

Amelia Earhart, 21 May 1932, Co. Derry.

St Patrick’s Day, New York City, 1950.

President Biden’s Irish Ancestors, his great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather, 1906.

1960 - Brendan Behan and Jackie Gleason

Irish-American child labourers, Massachusetts, 1916. CELTIC CANADA | SPRING 2022

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New Experiences in the

Mountains of Mourne S

ituated in the southeast corner of Northern Ireland, the Mountains of Mourne in County Down famously ‘sweep down to the sea’, casting a

Two unique experiences have recently been added to the array of giant adventures to be found in and around Northern Ireland’s Mourne Mountains. spell on all who venture to their peaks, valleys and pristine natural environment. This is the granite kingdom that inspired C.S. Lewis’s world of Narnia, the filmmakers of Game of Thrones®, and which has been the muse of songwriters, poets and musicians for centuries. Its myths, legends, culture and landscapes are sure to inspire you too.

There are innumerable ways to embrace the giant spirit and beauty of the Mournes – scale its highest peaks, ramble in its foothills, explore the rippling shores of Strangford Lough or discover its activity trails, adventure parks, artisan food producers, craft breweries and distilleries. Deep connections to St Patrick, worldclass golf courses, forest parks, golden beaches and sand dunes that touch the Irish

The Mourne Mountains

Mourne Stonewalling A Granite Kingdom

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Sea also await, while you can mountainbike the spectacular Mourne Loop, enjoy secret dining with a Great British Menu chef or make your own Celtic pendant with woodturner, storyteller and musician Padraig Carragher. Your next giant adventure in the Mournes could also be with the newly added experience of the ancient art of dry stonewalling, the Dancing at the Crossroads 5,000-year-old craft behind the building husband Mark has restored original drystone of the landmark Mourne Wall. Running for walls with Mournes granite first used at the 22 miles over 15 summits, Northern Ireland’s cottages over 300 years ago. biggest listed building was erected 100 years Work alongside Mark and become part of ago to keep livestock away from the rivers a timeless tradition as you learn to measure and reservoirs in the mountains. and gauge using the local language. Coggle Experience the skill and hard graft behind and skim the skelfs and spalls and physically its creation on the Mourne Stonewalling – build part of a stone wall yourself. Then A Granite Kingdom at The Green Holiday finish up with a Mourne builder’s lunch Cottages close to the fishing village of Kilkeel. served in a biscuit tin. Following a woodland wander with Half an hour away in Downpatrick, proprietor Jenny Hanna, see how her join Josephine Brennan King, elite former

The Mourne Wall

principal Irish dancer of Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, for a high-octane experience that celebrates the centuries-old story, culture, and heritage behind Irish dancing. The new Dancing at the Crossroads experience will give you insights into how the old masters historically taught Irish dancing and how communities socialised by dancing at crossroads after the harvest. Learn steps from the old sean nós style dancing and the iconic steps of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. Finish off with an Irish hooley party culminating in a choreographed Irish dance-off by the crossroads at historic Down Cathedral. Leave with an Irish dancing medal, a certificate as a memento, and a memory of the Mountains of Mourne that will last a lifetime. The new experiences are part of Atlantic CultureScape, a European project in the Atlantic Area designed to develop intangible cultural experiences that are authentic, immersive and rich in stories. Source: www.ireland.com CELTIC CANADA | SPRING 2022

Mike Hanrahan Beautiful Affair

a Journey in Food Music and Friendship

usic and food are parallel lines that have kept Mike Hanrahan on track throughout his life. In a professional career that has spanned four decades Mike has worked closely with some of our great names both on stage and in the kitchen. His memoir, Beautiful Affair, recalls a journey of music, food and friendship, the highs and lows, the hits and the misses and includes some hilarious anecdotes from his travels with Stockton’s Wing, Maura O’Connell, Ronnie Drew, Finbar Furey, Leslie Dowdall, Eleanor Shanley, and his great friend Pat Shortt. “From childhood my life crossed between summer adventures on granddads farm to a life schooling in urban surrounds. From traditional music to the words and songs of Leonard Cohen, the head bobbing sounds of Rory Gallagher back to traditional sessions. Always criss crossing. I finished my schooling at 17 and crossed from a secluded life to a new bohemian world in Doolin on the northwest coast of Clare. A place where writers, artists, and musicians from all over the world gathered. It was my gateway from innocence where the petals of youth opened wide to drink in their first rays of worldly sunshine”

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We get a bird’seye view of life on the road as a young Stockton’s Wing struggles to break through in the world of music, cooking and sleeping in a converted van that takes them to the highways and byways of Europe until their first major hit single, ‘Beautiful Affair,’ changes everything. The band went on to record several hits singles and albums, headline music festivals throughout Europe, America, and Australia, perform with Sammy

Davis Junior, share a stage Michael Jackson and Prince, and even found their way onto to a Richard Harris movie set for the film The Field directed by Jim Sheridan.

For ten years Mike was guitarist, songwriter, and producer for Ronnie Drew, and together they gave the world the theatre hit show, Ronnie, I Hardly Knew Ya, which played London, Dublin, Amsterdam and had two successful runs off-Broadway. During this period Eleanor Shanley joined Ronnie on stage and Mike produced that iconic hit ‘Couple More Years,’ as well as two studio albums. Sometime in 2006, Mike arrived at another crossing, left the music business, and turned down the culinary road to train at Ballymaloe Cookery school, where he later joined its faculty as a teacher. The next ten years were spent in kitchens as he honed his skills as a professional cook. He managed several kitchens including Pat Shortt’s Bar and the renowned Artisan Parlour in Ringsend Dublin, and both received glowing reviews and awards from top food writers. Preferring to work with local producers, Mike created the perfect field-to-fork recipes. Many are included in this wonderful book alongside some gems from Pat, Ronnie, Maura, and Eleanor. For instance, did you know that Ronnie Drew spoke fluent Spanish and cooked a mean tapas? Or that actor/ comedian Pat Shortt is a pizza diva? “A famous actor, singer and dancer once told me that life is a two-way street. His name was Sammy Davis Junior. I have come to understand his words. We are here for a short journey, and we must make the best of our time. My music, my food and my friends fill the pages of Beautiful Affair to tell their own story. It’s one of joy, from my early days of family nurture to the heady days of rock and roll, to the high combustive energy of the kitchen to the solitude of song writing. Music and food have been parallel lines that have kept me on track.” These days Mike is on the road with singers Leslie Dowdall, Eleanor Shanley and a rejuvenated Stockton’s Wing who released a live album in February, Hometown. Lockdown provided Mike with many new songs. In May 21, his song ‘A River Rolls On’ inspired by his mother’s life with Dementia, was recorded with Dementia and age friendly choir The Forgetmenots. His second release Chase the Moon was a radio hit and in January 22 he released his first short film inspired by the artists who created The Great Cultural Revolution of 1890 to 1920’s Ireland. ‘The Ballad of The Crimson Warrior’ has received critical acclaim. Beautiful Affair includes many delightful stories, songs, recipes and stunning Illustrations by Irish artist Charlotte O’Reilly Smith. It is published by HarperCollins and was shortlisted for the A Post’s Best Irish-Published Book of the Year 2019.

CELTIC CANADA | SPRING 2022

Irish Unity on the Horizon! By Kevin Callahan

ecent polls show Sinn Fein becoming the largest party in the Stormont Assembly after the May 5th elections. This would mean Sinn Fein leader Michelle O’Neill would be First Minister and send a shockwave through the state established a century ago to guarantee a perpetual Unionist majority. Meanwhile, in the Republic of Ireland, Sinn Fein is the official opposition but is well ahead in opinion polls of the governing coalition parties which have traded power back and forth for the last 100 years. It is increasingly likely that Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald will be the next Taoiseach. Clearly, the Irish people, especially the young, are eager for change and a new, united Ireland. The hardline Democratic Unionist Party is in disarray and increasingly desperate. When it held the balance of power in Westminster, the DUP pushed for a hard Brexit and scuttled Theresa May’s attempt at compromise with the European Union. This led to Boris Johnson promising there would never be a border in the Irish Sea, but then negotiating and signing the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland which keeps Northern Ireland largely within the EU economic zone. This effectively has put a border in the Irish Sea and demonstrates 14

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the illogic and inanity of the division of Ireland. While the DUP has never signed up to the Good Friday Agreement, the British government is legally bound by it. Despite its Brexit bluster, England must live up to its international obligations or risk economic consequences. For once, Ireland, with support from the EU and the Biden administration, is in a stronger position than Britain. During the summer, the DUP met with illegal Loyalist paramilitaries to discuss opposition to the Protocol Agreement, and there were sporadic incidents of violence in Loyalist working class areas. It has also reneged on an agreement for an Irish language Act, which would give official status to the Irish language in Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, it has seen its popular support decline from 23% to 13%, with unionist voters heading either to the even more extreme Traditional Unionist Voice or the moderate Alliance Party. In February, DUP First Minister Paul Givan resigned, supposedly as a protest at the Protocol, thus causing the Assembly to cease functioning. This is a serious blow to local government and will freeze decision-making on budget matters, healthcare and energy bill grants The DUP’s willingness to make the people

of the North of Ireland suffer for its own hoped-for political gain is a cynical move designed to win back voters by waving the traditional ‘No Surrender’ flag of hardline unionism. The problem for the DUP is that this strategy is unlikely to work. Many unionist voters are simply fed up with DUP’s antics, seeing the party as negative, out of touch, and a political dead end. Sinn Fein, meanwhile, is calling for a public discussion on Irish unity and on what a new, inclusive Ireland would look like. Sinn Fein representative for North America Ciaran Quinn is urging the Irish diaspora in the US and Canada to get involved in the debate and support the call for a vote on Irish unity in the next five years. Friends of Sinn Fein Canada is lobbying Canadian politicians for support and will be holding a “Unity Roadshow” this year, with Sinn Fein representatives appearing at events to promote the case for Irish unity. The roadshow will kick off in Montreal at the end of May. In the fall, speakers will visit The Maritimes, Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario, finishing with a major event in Ottawa. Ireland is at an historic crossroads, and the Irish diaspora will have an important role to play in preparing for and achieving unity.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Lá Fhéile Pádraig Faoi Mhaise Duit An Taoiseach a Chara, This St. Patrick’s Day, a united, prosperous and peaceful Ireland is closer than ever. We believe that it is imperative for the Irish Government to plan, prepare and advocate for Irish Unity as provided for in the Good Friday Agreement. We call on the Irish Government to convene a Citizens’ Assembly to plan for Irish Unity. The relationship between Ireland and Canada is a bond of kinship and family forged over generations. We Irish Canadians are proud of the role that we played in securing the Good Friday Agreement. The Agreement has delivered peace. It remains the framework to resolve current political differences and the roadmap for peaceful and democratic constitutional change. One constant in an ever-changing world has been the multi-partisan support for the Agreement in the Canadian Parliament and by all those who share a common bond with Ireland. We believe that Irish Unity is the firm will of the Irish Nation and will serve the best interests of all who share the Island, citizens abroad, and the wider diaspora. We can be the generation to deliver Irish Unity in our time. Is muidne.

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New Things to See and Do on the

Wild Atlantic Way T

he constant convergence of the wild Irish terrain, tempestuous weather and the full force of the Atlantic has formed towering cliffs, beautifully rugged bays, spellbinding beaches and a host of mystical islands.

Stretching from the headlands of County Donegal in the north to the southern foodie town of Kinsale in County Cork, the Wild Atlantic Way offers an endless array of experiences. In this awe-inspiring and ever-changing landscape, new places to go and new things to see and experience are constantly emerging and evolving too, presenting endless opportunities to encounter the real and authentic Ireland. In County Donegal for instance, the perfect place to start a Wild Atlantic Way trip, 10 new viewing points have been added to a looped drive which circles the superbly scenic Mulroy Bay. Offering a journey into remarkable unspoilt beauty, the drive connects Fanad Head Lighthouse, stunning Ballymastocker Bay and the Rosguill

Peninsula, a classic example of the rocky Donegal coastline. Neighbouring County Sligo is home to the Yeats Society, an appreciation society that celebrates the life and work of legendary Irish poet W.B. Yeats and his talented family, along with hosting the world’s longestrunning annual literary summer school. The society has launched a free mobile app, the first to commemorate an Irish literary figure. ‘Yeats Unwrapped’ can be used to follow in the footsteps of W.B. Yeats through a series of experiential nature trails and it also links the many beautiful locations throughout Sligo which the poet famously described as “the land of the heart’s desire”.

Ballinglen Museum of Art, Ballycastle, Co Mayo

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Mulroy Bay, Co Donegal

Drumcliffe Churchyard, Co Sligo There is also a new ‘Discover Drumcliffe’ mobile app which offers an audio tour of the much-visited Drumcliffe Churchyard in County Sligo, where Yeats is buried ‘Under Ben Bulben”, and which has an array of points of interest to discover. An authentic new Wild Atlantic Way experience also awaits at beautiful Blacksod Lighthouse in County Mayo. Step inside the lighthouse and immerse yourself in the history of this stout, castellated building in the heart of Mayo’s active Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking region). Built in 1864, the lighthouse played an important role at the end of World War II, when its keepers’ weather observations in June 1944 resulted in the D-Day Landings in Normandy being postponed. Another addition to the delights of Mayo is a truly sumptuous feast for the eyes. Ballinglen Museum of Art in Ballycastle is the first museum devoted to contemporary art in the west of Ireland. The state-of-theart, two-storey gallery showcases artwork from the Ballinglen Permanent Collection, a record of 30 years of visits by Irish and international artists which reflect the beauty, heritage, community and soul of this part of north Mayo. Meanwhile the owners of the highly regarded Inis Meáin Restaurant and Suites on Inishmaan, one of the trio of Aran Islands off the coast of County Galway, are introducing new farm stays on the island. Based around longer stays in nature and

enhanced by a farm deli service to ensure a good stock of delicious food and wine, guests will be able to enjoy a more in-depth biodiversity experience than before. Details of the new Inis Meáin farm stays will become available during 2022. If medieval games in the courtyard of an Irish castle sounds like your ideal Wild Atlantic Way day out, then head to Limerick city. Based on games that would have been enjoyed on fair days during medieval times in the city’s King John’s Castle, you can try medieval noughts and crosses, archery, horseshoe throwing, tug o’ war, hopscotch, quoits, a medieval seesaw, and there will also be medieval storytelling. Or for those seeking an adrenaline rush,

why not relish the opportunity to take in the stunning views of Limerick city in the most exciting way – by abseiling down the historic walls of King John’s Castle? Over in County Kerry, this year sees the inaugural Wander Wild Festival taking place in Killarney. Running from 25–27 March, this great new outdoors festival will be a weekend packed with unique experiences in some of the most amazing natural settings anywhere in the world. Adventurers of all abilities are welcome to a weekend that can include climbing Ireland’s highest peak, Carrauntoohill, immersive kayak tours, walks in Killarney National Park, plus film, speakers’ events, exhibitions, food, culture and craic in the town centre. Some of the Wild Atlantic Way’s finest walks are to be found in West Cork. The wide range of walks available in the area, suited to all levels of ability, have recently been brought together in one place within a convenient digital brochure. Essential for planning a trip to Cork, or useful for choosing from the huge variety of things to see and do when already staying in the area, the full table of contents highlights Cork’s amazing food and drink offering, outdoor activities, and various itineraries and accommodation providers – from four star hotels to stunning camping and glamping locations. Source: www.ireland.com

West Cork walks - Toe Head, Castletownshend

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St. Pat’s Feast! IRISH GUINNESS STEW Cooking Time: Cook for 1.5 hours or until meat is tender. Serves: 6-8 people

Ingredients • 1/4 cup of Olive Oil • 1 1⁄4 lbs stewing beef cut into 1-inch pieces • 6 large garlic cloves chopped or minced • 6 cups beef stock or 6 cups canned beef broth • 1 cup Guinness stout • 1 cup red wine • 2 tablespoons tomatoe paste • 1 tablespoon sugar • 1 tablespoon dried thyme • 1 tablespoon Worchester sauce • 2 bay leaves • 2 tablespoons butter • 3 lbs potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 7 cups) • 1 large onion, chopped • 2 cups peeled carrots

Method Heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add beef and sauté until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add beef stock, Guinness, red wine, tomato paste, sugar, thyme, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves. Stir to combine. Bring mixture to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, then cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally. While the meat and stock is simmering, melt butter in another large pot over medium heat. Add potatoes, onion and carrots. Sauté vegetables until golden, about 20 minutes. Set aside until the beef stew in step one has simmered for one hour. Add vegetables to beef stew. Simmer uncovered until vegetables and beef are very tender, about 40 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Tilt pan and spoon off fat. Transfer stew to serving bowl. Sprinkle with parsley and serve. (Can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. Salt and pepper to taste. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before serving.)

• salt and pepper • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

CORNED BEEF & PARSNIP MASH WITH MUSTARD AND CIDER SAUCE This is a traditional favourite and much enjoyed worldwide. Cooking Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes Serves: 6 people

Method Place the joint in a large saucepan. Add the chopped vegetables, peppercorns and cider. Add enough water to cover the joint. Bring to the boil, then simmer for approx. 40 mins per ½ kg or until the meat is tender. Leave in the liquid until ready to serve. While the meat is cooking, place the potatoes and parsnips in a large pot. Cover with water. Season, bring to the boil, then simmer until both parsnips and potatoes are cooked. Drain well, then mash really well with the milk, cream and butter. Whip in the scallions, season well. Keep warm. To make the sauce: Melt the butter, stir in flour. Cook for a minute or two. Add mustard, whisk in the cooking liquid and cider. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the cream and scallions and taste for seasoning. Serve the corned beef sliced with the parsnip mash, sauce and buttery cabbage.

Ingredients

Parsnip Mash • ½ kg potatoes, peeled and chopped

Irish Mustard and Cider Sauce • 50g butter

• ½ kg parsnips, peeled and chopped

• 25g flour

• 1 carrot

• 125ml mixture of milk and cream

• 1 tablesp. mustard

• 2 celery sticks

• Knob of butter

• 250ml mixture cooking liquid and dry cider

• 2 leeks

• Salt and black pepper

• Dash of cream

Main • 1½ kg silverside or brisket corned beef

• 1 teasp. peppercorns • 250ml dry cider 18

CELTIC CANADA | SPRING 2022

• 2 tablesp. scallions (spring onions), chopped

ST PATRICK’S DAY SOUP WITH SHAMROCK SHAPED CHEESE CROUTONS Serves: 4 people

Ingredients

Method

• 60g butter

Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the onion and potato and cook gently, covered for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

• 2 medium white onion, chopped • 600g potatoes, peeled and chopped • Salt and pepper • 800ml vegetable or chicken stock • 240g sorrel leaves, shredded Cheese Croutons • 2 slices thick wholemeal bread • Olive oil or melted butter to brush on • 100g grated Irish cheese

Add salt, pepper and stock and bring to the boil. Simmer uncovered for about 5 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Add the sorrel leaves and cook for 5 minutes more. Liquidise the soup until smooth. To make the Cheese Croutons: Cut shapes from the bread and brush lightly with olive oil or butter. Grill on one side then turn over and sprinkle with the grated cheese and grill until cheese is melted. Place on top of the hot soup. Source: BordBia

TRADITIONAL WHITE SODA BREAD Celtic Canada shares this lovely recipe we hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Ingredients • 450g plain flour • 1 level teasp. bread soda • 1 heaped teasp. Bextartar (cream of tartar) – optional • Pinch salt • 25g soft margarine • 1 egg, whisked with 250 ml buttermilk

Method

Pre-heat oven to Gas Mark 6, 200ºC (400ºF). Sieve the dry ingredients into a large bowl. Rub in the margarine. Pour in the egg and buttermilk mixture and stir well. Turn out onto a floured board and knead lightly for a minute or two. Shape into a round and flatten slightly. Place on a baking sheet. Mark with a deep cross and bake in the oven for approximately 30-40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

BROWN SODA BREAD AN IRISH FAVOURITE! Cliff Academy: Lesley Keogh’s Brown soda bread This traditional bread is baked in kitchens across Ireland every day, and couldn’t be easier to prepare. Remember to mark the distinctive cross in it before it goes in the oven: it’s to let the fairies out, apparently.

Method Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas mark 4. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Make a well in the centre and pour in the buttermilk, use your hands to draw the flour and milk together. Next, pour ingredients onto a floured surface and lightly form into a round (do not over-knead). Cut a cross on the top. Place onto a floured baking tray and put into the oven for about 35-40 minutes. When you take the bread out, turn it upside down and tap the bottom. If the bread sounds hollow it’s done. Leave to cool on a wire rack. Source: Ireland.com

Ingredients • 220g/8oz plain flour • 220g/8oz wholemeal flour • ½ tsp salt • 1 tsp baking powder or bicarbonate of soda • 1 pint/500ml buttermilk CELTIC CANADA | SPRING 2022

Once a year, the world celebrates Ireland. We do it every day!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Aer Lingus 20

CELTIC CANADA | SPRING 2022