A Taste of Wicklow for The Irish Food Writers Guild

The Irish Food Writers’ Guild was formed in 1990 to promote high professional standards of knowledge and practice among writers covering food, nutrition, food history and related matter. The Guild includes well known food writers and journalists from Irelands leading media including Irish Times, Irish Independent, Business Post, Irish Examiner, Farmers Journal, as well as many representatives from  online  media platforms. Members of the Guild  recently embarked on a captivating three-day journey through the heart of Wicklow. The tour was hosted by Wicklow Naturally who were represented by food tourism consultant Santina Kennedy.

The adventure began at the stately Killruddery House, where members were welcomed with McCabes coffee before exploring the walled gardens with Fionnuala Ardee. This was followed by with a Farm to Fork lunch in the charming Grainstore, where guests were wowed with an outstanding banquet of the estate’s harvest. Guests continued to a distillery tour  at Powerscourt Distillery,  before  being treated to tastings of aged Fercullen whiskeys straight from the casks. Traveling onwards into Wicklow Mountains  to BrookLodge & Macreddin Village, their evening culminated with a tasting menu at The Strawberry Tree – Ireland’s only certified organic restaurant .

Day two opened with a visit to Coolattin, where Tom Burgess shared the craft behind his celebrated cheddar, enjoyed alongside rustic brown bread from Daisy Cottage Farm. Members then met Hilda Crampton at Castleruddery Organic Farm, followed by a Wicklow-sourced lunch at Little Acorn Café. A stop at Ridgeway Wagyu introduced John and Michelle Hourigan’s remarkable herd before the evening unfolded at Tulfarris Hotel. A welcome from Glendalough Distillery led into the inspiring Vision for Venison dinner, co-hosted with Wicklow County Council Climate Action Committee, spotlighting sustainable food futures. A stunning celebration dinner showcasing Wicklow Venison was prepared by Tulfarris Hotel’s recently appointed Executive Chef Dan Ottaway.

On the final day, members were greeted by TV chef Catherine Fulvio at her Ballyknocken Cookery School, before discovering the fragrant rows of O’Hanlon’s Herbs. A visit to Wicklow Way Wines provided a taste of innovative berry wines, while a short walk to Wicklow Wolf Brewery offered a fitting finale of craft beer paired with Wicklow Naturally produce.

This immersive journey through Wicklow’s stunning scenery , artisan producers and visionary chefs stood as a testament to the county’s passion for sustainability, heritage and unforgettable flavours. The visiting members of the Irish Food Writers Guild left armed with stories of Wicklow’s producers and hospitality venues to share on their various media platforms in the months to come.