The phenomenon of a little town in County Waterford that manages to attract the world’s greatest travel writers made quite an impression on Michael Shapiro. The wonder is still in Michael’s voice as he describes his visit to the Immrama Festival of Travel Writing in Lismore last June.
Michael’s awe is was captured in conversation with Arthur and Pauline Frommer, publishers of Frommer’s Travel Guides, the world’s largest selling series of travel guides and hosts of The Travel Show on WOR a major New York city radio station .
Ireland, according to Shapiro who just returned to the U.S. from Dublin, is a country still in love with books, where economic crisis means there are bargains and deals for tourists and where it is vital that visitors get out of the big cities and take a look off the beaten track- in County Waterford for example!
Michael Shapiro is a freelance writer, editor and photographer, a contributor to National Geographic Traveler, the San Francisco Chronicle and Washington Post and the author of A Sense of Place: Great Travel Writers Talk About Their Craft, Lives and Inspirationand Guatemala: A Journey Through the Land of the Maya.
The Immrama Festival of Travel Writing will be held in Lismore from 9th-12th June 2011. Details of the programme are kept under lock and key until the official launch in April.
Michael Shapiro’s whole talk with the Frommers is available here http://www.wor710.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=5209031
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Lismore Leg of the Festival of Food to Give It Welly
Exciting new events and a return of old favourites ensure that 2011 will be the best year yet for the Lismore branch of the Waterford Festival of Food.
Saturday 16th April is the big Food Festival Day in Lismore. Kick off the day with a hearty breakfast at Rose’s West End Bar then enjoy some peace and quiet while the kids roll up their sleeves at the Children’s’ Baking Workshops in Blackwater Community School. Kindly facilitated by Catherine Toomey, the Children’s Workshops are always a sell-out; tickets and more information will be available from Lismore Heritage Centre on 058-54975 in the coming weeks.
That will be the end of the relaxation as Waterford Macra is planning a day of raucous fun in the field adjacent to the Millennium Park and Lismore playground, kindly given by Lismore Estates, and they want everyone to get involved. If you don’t want to ‘Pimp my Welly’ or paint a bale you could dress the scarecrow or milk the “cow”. There’s a Toy Tractor Derby if you think your model Massey or Ford has got what it takes and Farm Skills challenges for the young farmers out there.
If you avoid the wellies and wet sponges being thrown you can make an informative visit to the Teagasc and I.F.A. Mobile Unit. Speak to a dedicated representative of the dairy, beef and sheep sector to gain a greater appreciation of the role of primary producers and the quality assurance scheme. Experience the journey food takes to your plate and gain fascinating insights into areas such as Ireland’s role in the global baby food market.
The Farmers’ Market will convene on Castle Avenue, its scenic home. An extended Festival Market will ensure an abundance of the high quality, locally produced goods we have come to expect from the stallholders. Market Day will begin at 9.30a.m. Music in the Millennium Park will be provided courtesy of Mayor Orla Russell.
Special events are planned over the entire course of the Festival weekend, Friday 15th-Sunday 17th April. Festival menus featuring local produce will be available in participating restaurants. On Friday evening the head ghillie at Ballyvolane House will impart his fishing wisdom to the diners at O’Brien Chop House. The Summerhouse Café will be serving a yummy dessert plate on Friday and Saturday. Saffron, Eamonn’s Place, The Castle Lodge and Foley’s are also getting in on the act with special menus and events.
On Sunday 17th April local chefs Paul & Claire Deevy, Richmond House, Noel & Annemarie Costello, The Bride View Bar, and Justin & Jenny Green from The O’Brien Chop House will bring “A Taste of West Waterford” to the monster Farmers’ Market in Dungarvan Town Square.
In preparing this extended new programme of events the Lismore Festival of Food Committee would like to thank Lord and Lady Burlington, Denis Nevin and Jerry Twomey of Lismore Estates, Mayor Orla Russel and Lismore Town Council, Lismore Heritage Centre, Lismore Mochuda Development Company Ltd. and the businesses of the town.
Saturday 16th April is the big Food Festival Day in Lismore. Kick off the day with a hearty breakfast at Rose’s West End Bar then enjoy some peace and quiet while the kids roll up their sleeves at the Children’s’ Baking Workshops in Blackwater Community School. Kindly facilitated by Catherine Toomey, the Children’s Workshops are always a sell-out; tickets and more information will be available from Lismore Heritage Centre on 058-54975 in the coming weeks.
That will be the end of the relaxation as Waterford Macra is planning a day of raucous fun in the field adjacent to the Millennium Park and Lismore playground, kindly given by Lismore Estates, and they want everyone to get involved. If you don’t want to ‘Pimp my Welly’ or paint a bale you could dress the scarecrow or milk the “cow”. There’s a Toy Tractor Derby if you think your model Massey or Ford has got what it takes and Farm Skills challenges for the young farmers out there.
If you avoid the wellies and wet sponges being thrown you can make an informative visit to the Teagasc and I.F.A. Mobile Unit. Speak to a dedicated representative of the dairy, beef and sheep sector to gain a greater appreciation of the role of primary producers and the quality assurance scheme. Experience the journey food takes to your plate and gain fascinating insights into areas such as Ireland’s role in the global baby food market.
The Farmers’ Market will convene on Castle Avenue, its scenic home. An extended Festival Market will ensure an abundance of the high quality, locally produced goods we have come to expect from the stallholders. Market Day will begin at 9.30a.m. Music in the Millennium Park will be provided courtesy of Mayor Orla Russell.
Special events are planned over the entire course of the Festival weekend, Friday 15th-Sunday 17th April. Festival menus featuring local produce will be available in participating restaurants. On Friday evening the head ghillie at Ballyvolane House will impart his fishing wisdom to the diners at O’Brien Chop House. The Summerhouse Café will be serving a yummy dessert plate on Friday and Saturday. Saffron, Eamonn’s Place, The Castle Lodge and Foley’s are also getting in on the act with special menus and events.
On Sunday 17th April local chefs Paul & Claire Deevy, Richmond House, Noel & Annemarie Costello, The Bride View Bar, and Justin & Jenny Green from The O’Brien Chop House will bring “A Taste of West Waterford” to the monster Farmers’ Market in Dungarvan Town Square.
In preparing this extended new programme of events the Lismore Festival of Food Committee would like to thank Lord and Lady Burlington, Denis Nevin and Jerry Twomey of Lismore Estates, Mayor Orla Russel and Lismore Town Council, Lismore Heritage Centre, Lismore Mochuda Development Company Ltd. and the businesses of the town.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Researching Local History Course at Cappoquin Community Centre
A 4 week course of lectures on how to research your local history by Joanne Rothwell, Waterford County Archivist.
Week 1: An Introduction to Sources The sources that are available for local history and how you can access them.
Week 2: Heading for Town Ceapach Choinn and sources for research in towns and villages
Week 3: Land Equals Power? Sources for research in rural areas
Week 4: Tall Tales and Fierce Facts Tracking down the truth of local stories and legends
The course starts Wednesday 9th March and continues every Wednesday for 4 weeks from 7-8.30pm at Cappoquin Community Centre until Wednesday 30th March
Cost: €5 per session
For more information contact Cappoquin Community Centre at Telephone: 058 52746 or e-mail: ocappdev@eircom.net
Week 1: An Introduction to Sources The sources that are available for local history and how you can access them.
Week 2: Heading for Town Ceapach Choinn and sources for research in towns and villages
Week 3: Land Equals Power? Sources for research in rural areas
Week 4: Tall Tales and Fierce Facts Tracking down the truth of local stories and legends
The course starts Wednesday 9th March and continues every Wednesday for 4 weeks from 7-8.30pm at Cappoquin Community Centre until Wednesday 30th March
Cost: €5 per session
For more information contact Cappoquin Community Centre at Telephone: 058 52746 or e-mail: ocappdev@eircom.net
Monday, March 7, 2011
Cookery Demo in Aid of Liosmór Mochuda National School
Beth-Ann Smith will host a Cookery Demonstartion in aid of Liosmór Mochuda National School on Wednesday 23rd March.
Beth-Ann Smith is a free lance chef working partly in Lismore Castle. She is also the proprietor of Amuse Bouche, the catering company launched at last year’s Lismore Music Festival. Beth-Ann and her team kept over 450 opera-goers content with tapas, paella and cupcakes- quite a debut! Beth-Ann has been working as a cookery teacher for several years. Combining the training she received at the world-famous Balymaloe Cookery School with professional catering experience Beth-Ann has something to teach everyone from the kitchen-shy to the Ramsay wannabes.
The Cookery Demonstration will be held in Cappoquin Community Centre from 10.00a.m.-12.00p.m.
Tickets cost €15.00. All proceeds go to Liosmór Mochuda National School.
Booking is essential as places are limited; please call Zoe on 087-6168303.
Beth-Ann Smith is a free lance chef working partly in Lismore Castle. She is also the proprietor of Amuse Bouche, the catering company launched at last year’s Lismore Music Festival. Beth-Ann and her team kept over 450 opera-goers content with tapas, paella and cupcakes- quite a debut! Beth-Ann has been working as a cookery teacher for several years. Combining the training she received at the world-famous Balymaloe Cookery School with professional catering experience Beth-Ann has something to teach everyone from the kitchen-shy to the Ramsay wannabes.
The Cookery Demonstration will be held in Cappoquin Community Centre from 10.00a.m.-12.00p.m.
Tickets cost €15.00. All proceeds go to Liosmór Mochuda National School.
Booking is essential as places are limited; please call Zoe on 087-6168303.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Dished Up! Waterford Festival of Food Programme for 2011
Fresh and fun new ingredients in the Waterford Festival of Food 2011 include “Three Chefs Kitchen Supper” and “Brunch in a Blaa with the Boys”.
Favourites from previous years return: the Bus Bia Tour, the Crude Food Trail and Breadmaking at Barron’s Bakery.
Talented chefs on hand to serve up a great weekend: Martijn Kaujiter and Ross Lewis will be clinking Michelin stars; Paul Flynn, Conor Foran, Richard Corrigan and Mark Hix will slice, dice and demonstrate…though things could get a little Fishy Fishy with Martin Shanahan in town!
Some of the best things in life are free; the opening Pig Parade, Food Camp 2 at Dungarvan Castle, BBQ by the Sea and Sunday’s monster Farmers’ and Country Market in Dungarvan town centre.
Big plans are being cooked up for out West too; details of great events in Lismore on the way.
The Waterford Festival of Food will run from Friday 15th- Sunday 17th April. For more events, information and ticket prices please see www.waterfordfestivaloffood.com
Favourites from previous years return: the Bus Bia Tour, the Crude Food Trail and Breadmaking at Barron’s Bakery.
Talented chefs on hand to serve up a great weekend: Martijn Kaujiter and Ross Lewis will be clinking Michelin stars; Paul Flynn, Conor Foran, Richard Corrigan and Mark Hix will slice, dice and demonstrate…though things could get a little Fishy Fishy with Martin Shanahan in town!
Some of the best things in life are free; the opening Pig Parade, Food Camp 2 at Dungarvan Castle, BBQ by the Sea and Sunday’s monster Farmers’ and Country Market in Dungarvan town centre.
Big plans are being cooked up for out West too; details of great events in Lismore on the way.
The Waterford Festival of Food will run from Friday 15th- Sunday 17th April. For more events, information and ticket prices please see www.waterfordfestivaloffood.com
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Lismore Music Festival 2011 Presents Don Giovanni
Lismore Music Festival launched its expanded programme of events for 2011 and this summer’s featured production Don Giovanni, in the elegant surrounds of its home at Lismore Castle on Monday evening.
The Festival will take place over two days; Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June. A new production of Mozart’s much loved Don Giovanni, directed by Dieter Kaegi will be the weekend’s central attraction.
Recitals at Salterbridge House and concerts, “Opera for Guitar & Voice”, at St Carthage’s Cathedral are among the events planned for the June bank holiday weekend. Free music events will be staged around the town and the Opera Supper Club will return to O’Brien’s Chop House.
The LMF box office is now open on 00 353 87 1680258 or 00 353 58 52769. For more information please visit www.lismoremusicfestival.com or pick up a programme at Lismore Heritage Centre.
The Festival will take place over two days; Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June. A new production of Mozart’s much loved Don Giovanni, directed by Dieter Kaegi will be the weekend’s central attraction.
Recitals at Salterbridge House and concerts, “Opera for Guitar & Voice”, at St Carthage’s Cathedral are among the events planned for the June bank holiday weekend. Free music events will be staged around the town and the Opera Supper Club will return to O’Brien’s Chop House.
The LMF box office is now open on 00 353 87 1680258 or 00 353 58 52769. For more information please visit www.lismoremusicfestival.com or pick up a programme at Lismore Heritage Centre.
Wednesday 2nd March is Fair Day!
This Little Piggy Went to…The Pig Fair in Walton Park!
Walton Park, Dungarvan is about to be taken over by pigs; colourful, crafty "pigs" that will launch the programme for the 2011 Waterford Festival of Food, Dungarvan.
The pigs, which have been lovingly created by schools, clubs, groups and even girl guides, will be judged by a team including RTE’s South East correspondent, Damien Tierney and Jim McGrath of Truly Irish, sponsor of the event. The winning pig will become the mascot of the Festival of Food 2011.
If you would like to see the pigs be judged visit Walton Park at 3.00p.m on Wednesday 2nd March. If you can't make it on Wednesday all the pigs will be paraded through Dungarvan on the opening day of the Festival, Friday 15th April and will remain on display around the town throughout the Festival weekend
Walton Park, Dungarvan is about to be taken over by pigs; colourful, crafty "pigs" that will launch the programme for the 2011 Waterford Festival of Food, Dungarvan.
The pigs, which have been lovingly created by schools, clubs, groups and even girl guides, will be judged by a team including RTE’s South East correspondent, Damien Tierney and Jim McGrath of Truly Irish, sponsor of the event. The winning pig will become the mascot of the Festival of Food 2011.
If you would like to see the pigs be judged visit Walton Park at 3.00p.m on Wednesday 2nd March. If you can't make it on Wednesday all the pigs will be paraded through Dungarvan on the opening day of the Festival, Friday 15th April and will remain on display around the town throughout the Festival weekend
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