Home & Away with Robert Walshe
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Weekend Hotspot Flemings Restaurant & Guesthouse Cork
Cork is an ideal destination all year around whether on a short break or as part of a longer Irish holiday. The city has long been dismissive of Dublin and with a burgeoning arts, music and restaurant scene, it’s now getting a cultural reputation to rival the capital’s. The River Lee flows around the centre, an island packed with grand Georgian parades, 17th-century alleys and modern architectural
■ The Lobby at Flemings Hotel & Restaurant Cork.
masterpieces. St Patrick’s Street is the main shopping space however the north end of Cornmarket Street is more interesting hosting the Coal Quay market and shopping mall. On O Connell Square in the revitalised Shandon area, north of the river, the Butter Museum explores the development of Cork, as purveyor of this food necessity throughout the British Empire. The Crawford Municipal Art Gallery on Emmet Place created in the old Customs House thanks to the benevolence of one of the families who owned the Beamish & Crawford Brewery, has been stylishly extended to show a wide range of Irish art. The English Market traces back its origin’s to the times of King James I in 1610, some four hundred years previously and has been officially trading since 1788. Long recognised by locals as a place to meet, eat and shop, the market offers tourists and locals a tantalising range of great Irish food most recently endorsed by the visit of Queen Elizabeth II. The Cork restaurant scene is effervescent right now and at
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nearby Tivoli just off the main Cork-Dublin road, a large Georgian family house set on five acres of gardens is Michael and Eileen Fleming’s classical French restaurant with rooms. Having spent many years working in the hospitality industry in Switzerland, Monaco and finally in the Ritz London, Michael and his family returned to Ireland saw the prop■ Weddings at Fl erty and immediately emings Cork fell in love with it. Built by a prominent merchant wine family numbers if required. The enon a hill overlooking suite guestrooms upstairs are the eastern side of the individual in style and décor city the house retains ■ Chef Michael Fleming with Fois Gras all retaining their original all of its original feaporary twist. Michael’s cook- character. Flemings is also tures including high ceilings, polished wooden ing skills are unsurpassed ideally situated as a base for floors and elegant fireplaces. winning the 2013 Good Eat- touring East Cork’s many atThe dining space is in the old ing Guide Restaurant Award tractions and activities. Local drawing rooms with large for Best Chef in the Munster sports include golfing at Fota windows linked by double Region—a well deserved rec- & Waterock, fishing, horse doors along the front of the ognition. The restaurant is riding and guided walking. house. Organic produce from also ideal for weddings of up Cobh Cathedral and Titanic the owners’ kitchen garden is to 90 people, but additional trail , Jameson Heritage Cenput to good use for seasonal guests can be seated in the tre Midleton along with Fota menus in the classic French cellar wine bar, and a mar- House, Arboretum and Wildmould served with a contem- quee can be hired for larger life Park are also close by and
a must see. Flemings Restaurant is offering wonderful intimate packages this Christmas time from cocktail parties to formal sit-down dinners. Go there you will not be disappointed! www. flemingsrestaurant.ie Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio in Northern Ireland and Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe. com