12 minute read
Food & Drink
Enniscorthy’s fine fresh food
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Above left: At the Farmers Market in Abbey Square, Enniscorthy, on 15th January were Issy and Tom Grannell. Above right: Yola Bakery Wexford at the Farmers Market in Enniscorthy with their delicious bread and buns, Jamie Pettitt and wife Nadia.
At the Farmers Market in Enniscorthy on 15th January 2022 were above left: Paul Gorby. Above centre: Billy Mitten and Patricia Doyle. Above right: Molly and Rosemary O’Loughlan. Below left: Anita and Raz Sheridan. Below right: Fortune’s Farm Fresh stand.
WITH THE ENNISCORTHY COMMUNITY ALLOTMENTS DUE TO BE UP AND RUNNING IN LATE SPRING, THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO START GROWING!
Healthy Wexford ‘Seeds to Success’ Series Offers Inspiration for Community Growing...
Community growing provides a range of health benefits including physical activity, mental wellbeing, and social connection. The ‘Seeds to Success’ series is an online ‘seed share’ of knowledge and learned experience from six growing communities of various types and stages of development across County Wexford. The hope is sharing these growing experiences will inspire other Wexford communities to get digging, planting and producing in their own locality.
The ‘Seeds to Success’ series visits newly established gardens and ones that have been around awhile. It looks at the different types of community growing and gives a chance to meet some of the growers themselves and find out what they get out of the growing experience. Just as they seed-share in the gardens, these growers share their knowledge and experience with us; giving tips for others who are interested in developing community growing.
Community Growing projects featured in the series are Castlebridge Community Garden, Askamore Community Garden, New Ross Allotments, Blackwater Tidy Towns, Grantstown Priory and ARC Family Resource Centre Community Gardens.
Speaking of the initiative, Cllr John Hegarty, Chair of the Healthy County Committee, said, ‘I would encourage communities everywhere to watch this series. It is inspirational to see not only the work and effort of communities but the obvious health benefits that community growing provides to participants. Wexford’s Healthy County Committee are delighted to have been able to facilitate the development of this demonstrative series’.
Commenting on the rollout of the online videos over the coming season, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach, of Wexford County Council, added, ‘The variety in the series is amazing, showing how community growing can be of benefit for all ages. The mix of more established gardens and newer developments provides both aspiration and realism and I can see the series being of benefit to many communities.’
The series premiered online on Thursday 27th January via Healthy Wexford YouTube and on the Healthy Wexford Facebook page. Running for six weeks, one episode will be published per week, releasing at 8pm each Thursday evening. n
The Tin Roof coffee and food truck which was previously stationed at a site half way between Enniscorthy and Clonroche, now has a new home at the former Kate’s farm shop on the New Line Road just off the Whitford Hotel roundabout, Wexford town.
So make sure when nearby to call in for your coffee fix and to say hello. n
New location for The Tin Roof
The Irish Heart Foundation’s ‘Stop Targeting Kids’ drive
The Irish Heart Foundation is urging everyone to petition their local TDs and Senators, demanding action through a pre-written letter on its website, as part of its ‘Stop Targeting Kids’ drive in a response to an explosion in digital marketing of junk food which it sees as “more personalised, effective and therefore potentially even more damaging”. “We encourage... people to join this campaign to show public demand for increased marketing restrictions... Together we can place the spotlight back on healthy eating and protect the future of children’s health.” https://irishheart.ie/campaigns/stop-targeting-kids/sign-the-petition/ n
Via Veneto’s special takeaway offer
Via Veneto in Enniscorthy has reintroduced its special takeaway offer – 2 starters, 2 main courses, 2 desserts and a bottle of house wine for only €55! This takeaway offer is available from Wednesday to Sunday by phoning 0539236929 and ordering between 7pm and 8.30pm. To see the menu: https://www.facebook.com/viavenetoitalianrestaurant/photos/a.1493985917 518329/3072077689709136/ n
Your local Slimming World Consultants in Enniscorthy Providing you with a huge choice of sessions throughout the week:
Tuesdays @ 6.30pm The Salt n Pepper Pot, Community Workshop Call Tony on 087 1785384 Wednesdays @ 9.30am, 11.00am, 5.30pm and 7.00pm Enniscorthy Rugby Club Call Trish on 087 3607615
Saturdays @ 9.00am and 10.30am The Salt n Pepper Pot, Community Workshop Call Tony on 087 1785384
Enniscorthy’s Country Market
Enniscorthy’s Country Market is back up and running every Friday morning in the IFA Centre, Millpark Road, run by a dedicated group of local ladies.
The advice is to get there early (from 8.30am) for the best selection and freshest home baking, breads, scones, vegetables, flowers, eggs, etc.
Right: Some of the fine fare on offer at Enniscorthy Country Market. n
Coffee time at Toffee & Thyme
Enniscorthy’s popular Toffee & Thyme restaurant may no longer be visible on Enniscorthy’s Rafter Street, but it now has an impressive presence on the Old Dublin Road, next door to the NCT Centre, with loads of free parking, and open 6 days a week from 7.30am to 5pm. Enjoy a visit there soon! n
Alba’s reopens
Owner-Chef Angelo Alba Restaurant in Enniscorthy has reopened following the recent easing of Covid restrictions. Angelo, Katia and team look forward to welcoming their customers – old and new – back.
Alba Restaurant in Enniscorthy can be contacted on 089-2649417 www.albarestaurant.ie n
Apply now for Enniscorthy Community Allotments
YOU CAN APPLY NOW FOR AN ALLOTMENT IN THE NEW ENNISCORTHY ALLOTMENTS FACILITY BEING CONSTRUCTED AT CHERRY ORCHARD, ENNISCORTHY, NEXT TO THE SPORTS HUB, AND WHICH WILL BE OPEN THIS SPRING. FILL IN AN APPLICATION FORM ONLINE ON THE ‘ENNISCORTHY COMMUNITY ALLOTMENTS’ FACEBOOK PAGE OR ELSE PICK UP A PRINTED FORM FROM ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: ENNISCORTHY CHAMBER OFFICES, KILCANNON GARDEN CENTRE, ENNISCORTHY LIBRARY, CENTRA SHOP OPPOSITE ST SENAN'S CHURCH, MR. SEAN MILLAR AT 29 SLANEY VIEW PARK AND WLD COMMUNITY OFFICER JULIE GRANT.
Above: Enniscorthy Community Allotments committee L-R: Cllr. Aidan Browne, Eimear McCauley, Michael Devereux, Mark Cooke and Noreen Kehoe. Missing from photograph are Michelle Doyle and Anna Davis.
Below: Frank Corcoran (Slaney News) on site with Michael Devereux – the main driving force behind this project. An agreement has been reached between Enniscorthy Municipal District and the Enniscorthy Community Allotments Group to lease two plots of land to facilitate the development of a community-led garden and allotment project for the people of Enniscorthy. One of the plots adjoins the Enniscorthy Sports Hub at Cherry Orchard, the other is across the road from the first plot – about one hectare in total. Individual plots will be on one side of the road, community (Hope Centre, Tidy Towns, schools, training area, etc) on the other side.
Applications for allotments are now open (see above). Work is expected to begin on site later this month undertaken by Kilcannon Garden Centre, and the allotments themselves should be ready this April in time for the growing season. Allotments are 5m x 5m each (16ft x 16ft), costing €50 per year and a refundable €10 for a key to access the plot. Raised beds costing €30 per year are available but are limited to people with mobility issues. The facility will also include a huge polytunnel measuring 24ft x 72ft which can be used for a €10 per year additional charge.
https://www.facebook.com/Enniscorthycommunityallotments
This project is only possible through funding from the LEADER programme, Enniscorthy Municipal District, Enniscorthy Credit Union and the ECA group's own fundraising.
Healthy Wexford proposes a weekly #OpenLunch
To make and maintain social connections, Healthy Wexford is calling on all to develop their outdoor lunchtime social engagement with a new initiative called #OpenLunch. An #OpenLunch is where you use your lunchtime, and the open spaces we have – parks, green areas, beaches etc to meet and connect with others in your area. Whether it’s a meet-up with friends, remote workers connecting, or residents making new connections locally, this is an opportunity to use your lunchtime and the wonderful open spaces we have across the county. You could incorporate a ‘walk & talk’ or simply ‘meet to eat’; whatever you do it’s an opportunity to get out and connect with those in your area.
Speaking about the initiative, Healthy County Committee member Mary B O’Leary said, “We’ve all suffered reduced social connection over the recent past, whether it is through reduced activities, moving to working from home, or simply due to what we now know as the new normal. This initiative is about making the conscious effort to keep and build our social connections, while enjoying the great outdoor resources we have and resources for organising a community walking group https://www.getirelandwalking.ie/startgroup/. Let others know it’s happening via social media, local newsletters, or community connections. If you prefer to keep it just to friends that’s OK too. When sharing on social media use the #OpenLunch hashtag with your location so others in your area can find out what’s happening locally e.g. #Open-
Lunch Kilmore. Tag @HealthyWexford too.
Workers may need to keep it within the hour so make sure you leave time to arrive and return. Perhaps initially meet from 1.15 to 1.45, then see how it goes for your group. However, those who are retired, or are stay-athome parents may have different schedules, so see what works for your group. If it’s a ‘meet to eat’ perhaps you could link in with your local community café, if you have one, to offer takeaway lunch or simply bring your own from home. To check out healthy lunch ideas see the Safefood website https://www.safefood.net/healthylunch n
in the county. We’ve been piloting this in my own area and the reaction has been great.” Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, added, “We know that connecting is one of the five ways to wellbeing and I see this initiative being a catalyst to help people to do that in their own areas for a short time during the day.” Chair of Wexford’s Healthy County Committee Cllr John Hegarty encouraged people all around the county to organise an #OpenLunch in their own areas. “You don’t need anything special, and the concept can be flexible to suit you and your needs – make it an early or late lunchtime, walk and talk, just meet to eat, rotate the location – whatever works for you and your group.” Healthy County Coordinator Annette Dupuy set out some tips for organising an #OpenLunch If organising a community ‘walk and talk’, check out the Community Walking Resources from Get Ireland Walking. This resource offers hints, tips,
Retail and Foodservice 2022 –Expert Views
A Wexford Local Enterprise Office workshop titled Retail and Foodservice 2022 - Expert Views will be held online on 15th February, 2pm - 3.30pm. This free, 90-minute, online zoom workshop is aimed at owners and managers of retail and food service outlets.
This energised session is part of the 2022 Local Enterprise Office Retail and Foodservice focus. Two of Ireland's leading business owners will share their formulas and views for 2022. Journalist, food writer and co-founder of the Itsa Café and Restaurant chain, Domini Kemp www.bitetv.ie will be joined by pioneering and multi-award winning retailer Rachel Doyle from Arboretum in Leighlinbridge, www.arboretum.ie Following a presentation from both of the guest speakers, they will join two business owners from County Wexford for a panel discussion on the future of the retail and food sector in Wexford. Retail and Foodservice expert James Burke will facilitate this session.
2021 has been a challenging year for many retailers and foodservice operators. If like many more, you are making that fresh start and are looking for inspiration, Domini Kemp and Rachel Doyle represent two of the most dynamic business owners in their sectors. This 90 minute session is guaranteed to provide stimulating ideas and a unique opportunity to hear from sector experts in a short, upbeat session.
AGENDA: n Opening and Welcome n Global retail and foodservice insights, James Burke n Domini Kemp, Itsa Group
Domini Kemp
n Rachel Doyle, Arboretum n Panel discussion with Domini, Rachel and two local business owners from County Wexford. Theme - What is the winning formula for 2022.
FACILITATOR: James Burke, James Burke & Associates. n
A perfect Valentine’s treat
Love is in the air and what better way to celebrate than with some award-winning Co. Wexford artisan chocolates.
Leigh Kelly, Zaeire Artisan Chocolates, produces a range of handmade chocolates using sustainable sources, natural ingredients, and real cocoa butter. The handcrafted range includes a Valentines Collection, made especially for Valentines Day on February 14th. The range is available online, or visit the store in Bridgetown, Co. Wexford. n
Leigh Kelly of Zaeire Artisan Chocolates.
