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Savour exceptional food and drink in Ireland’s Ancient East
Get a flavour of Ireland's Ancient East.
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Ireland’s Ancient East is paradise for foodie fans. From the colourful English Market in Cork to the Sea Gardener in Waterford, explore excellent eateries, cafés, breweries, distilleries, bars, organic producers and fish farms.

Book your break around one of the vibrant food festivals or visit a local distillery, choose your own adventure now.

Explore Cork’s food scene

Cork City Fab Food Trails

Cork is one of Ireland’s leading food destinations with colourful markets, charming cafés and excellent restaurants. Book a Cork City Fab Food tour and hear about the hidden foodie treasures from a local guide, during a three-hour walking trail of the historic city.

Wander around the narrow streets stopping off at tapas bars, traditional pubs and relaxed bistros. Enjoy tasting plates while experiencing a warm welcome from proud Corkonians.

The English Market

The interior of the English Market in Cork City
A visit to The English Market is a must on your trip to Cork City.

Experience the unique atmosphere of the bustling English Market famous for its artisan produce, local specialities and the freshest of ingredients. Pick up some drisheen, a delicious type of pudding, and try the tasty buttered eggs on some sourdough bread. With international fare and family-run stalls, relish the energetic pace of this Cork institution.

Ballymaloe House

Travel to East Cork and enjoy the famous Ballymaloe House hospitality. Discover the lush green countryside and savour the homecooked meals, with ingredients sourced from the Ballymaloe grounds and walled gardens. At this historic country house, menus change daily with talented chefs creating traditional Irish meals for guests.

The Jameson Distillery

Go behind the scenes of Ireland’s most famous whiskey at the Jameson Distillery in Midleton, County Cork. Enjoy a tour of the buildings and learn about the field to glass process which gives Jameson its smooth, iconic flavour.

Visit one of the original Jameson warehouses on the site and draw a special Jameson blend straight from the cask. Craft ambassadors are on hand to share tips, this experience is a must for true whiskey fans.

Enjoy Waterford’s unique food

The Sea Gardener

Visit Waterford and meet Marie Power, The Sea Gardener, an expert in seaweed cookery and foraging. Book in for a land walk, beach picnic or informative talk and find out how to use seaweed in everyday meals.

Plan your visit around the annual festival, Ireland’s Ancient Foraging Feast, and discover wild foods and natural ingredients. Enjoy incredible flavours and learn about the incredible health benefits of seaweed.

The Waterford Blaa

The Waterford Blas is famous across Ireland, so you can’t visit the county without trying the doughy goodness of a Blaa sandwich. A local speciality in the Déise, credit goes to Brother Ignatius Rice for baking the first Blaa in 1802.

Try yours with sizzling bacon, a popular choice but be warned, they sell out in record time. Head to Walsh’s Bakehouse in Waterford City or Barron’s Bakery in Cappoquin for a signature Blaa sandwich.

Taste of Tipperary

Mikey Ryan’s Bar

Drop into Mikey Ryan’s Bar, a gorgeous gastropub in Cashel and discover authentic Irish fare with a twist. Chefs source fresh and organic ingredients from local farmers and artisan producers, creating tasty, traditional food. Cashel Blue Cheese is used in many of the dishes and the creamy, mouthwatering flavour is instantly recognisable. Head to this spot for a true taste of Tipperary.

Savour great food in Wicklow

Roasted Brown

Visit the pretty village of Delgany and make a pitstop at Roasted Brown for a cup of coffee. Take a class and learn about their concept of consistency, concentrating on Single Origin coffee and afterwards, pick up a bag to recreate the smooth aroma in your kitchen. Don’t leave without popping into the nearby Firehouse Bakery, order some of their tasty sweet treats for the journey home.

There's so much to see and do in this fascinating part of Ireland, head over to our Ireland's Ancient East page and get more inspiration for your next visit.


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