Tuesday 15 January 2013

A trip to West Cork to bake on an Island

Towards the end of last year I was getting itchy feet and wanted to head to a more tranquil part of the world. So West Cork is the perfect destination I had heard a lot of good things about Firehouse Bread on Heir Island http://www.thefirehouse.ie there was nothing else to do but book a Saturday baking on the island.
I planned my trip with family and friends in mind so that I could stay in Durrus for a few days afterwards.
Now that I can't drive due to illness public transport is the only option of travel, this turned out to be quite relaxing after booking tickets in advance traveling via Cork.

To break the long journey up I stayed in Cork city for the night, after walking round this compact city and the famous English Market it was time for dinner. I had booked a table for 1 in Fenns Quay Restaurant http://fennsquay.net not being in the review business this was a great meal. Kate Lawlor the head chef has a great skill and the restaurant staff are very welcoming I will be back.

The next day was a bus trip to Skibereen a long and bumpy bus journey but worth it, a short taxi ride to the Quay to catch the 2pm ferry perfect timing.
I arrived on heir island and walked to Firehouse bread, a warm welcome from Patrick and Laura followed tea freshly baked cookies after a long journey is great. Laura's parents who run a sailing school on the island are great hosts, Patrick cooked and very tasty leg of lamb in the wood burning oven for dinner.  The rooms are very clean practical and warm the quite of an Island is wonderful, its makes a great break to arrive before hand explore the island.

So down to the baking after an introduction the 6 bakers for the day got down to learning a new skill a really fun size of a group. Starting off with Sourdough to let it rise in time so we could bake it before the day was out, then everyone has a different recipe to follow a great way to learn lots at the same time. All in all a must do for anyone who loves real bread fantastic food we even had handmade pasta from Laura and soup and salads for lunch before filling boxes of bread to take home. Have a look at the selection on the table in the photos below. So book now! http://www.thefirehouse.ie

It also turned out that 3 of the people on the course lived in Bantry so where able to give me a lift to Durrus many thanks.
just some of the bread made on the day

cooling sodas 

These look and taste great 

morning walk round the island

Evening view next stop USA

Tea smk salmon starter at Fenns Quay
The next few days where spent relaxing in Durrus many thanks to Richard and Linda for your hospitality and to John and Sally Mckenna for a great lunch. I also meet up with @Jaq_Stedman for a great lunch in http://www.thefishkitchen.ie and a few beers after before heading back up north.
Thank you to everyone along the way.



4 comments:

  1. Hi David
    What's the story with the soda's with an egg on top? How long's the egg in the oven for?
    Eddie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Eddie it is a breakfast soda with chorizo, tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic and onions and the egg cooks with it in the middle great idea. Tasty too

      Delete
  2. Absolutely, can't wait. Does the egg go in right a the beginning of the cooking time?

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