7 June 2021
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
After 161 days of waiting, Ireland’s gourmet capital, Kinsale, is ready to serve up the tastiest summer with its award-winning culinary scene that is a firm favourite with the stars, foodies, and families alike. The town’s hotels, bars and restaurants are set to tantalise your tastebuds with only the freshest seafood, the best steaks, and the finest artisan desserts on the menu – and you never know who you might spot out and about, with Kinsale welcoming Dermot Kennedy and Paul Mescal among others last year!
Kit French, Zoe Greenway, Josh Cotter, Brian O’Connor & Cara Ryan Reconnecting At The Bulman In Kinsale. Pic: Becca Geden.
Owner Julie Finn Celebrating The Reopening Of Her Restaurant Finns Farmcuts In Kinsale With Customers David Hegarty & Deirdre Hegarty. Pic: Becca Geden.
Cara Ryan, Brian O’Connor, Josh Cotter, Zoe Greenway & Kit French Celebrating The Return Of Outdoor Dining At The Bulman in Kinsale. Pic: Becca Geden.
Whether it is marking a missed birthday, catching up with old friends, or refuelling tired bodies after making a splash on the high seas, Kinsale is ready to invite family, friends and food lovers to the table for any occasion this summer. The colourful harbour town is home to some of the country’s most famous eateries and with pedestrianisation of some of the town’s streets being reintroduced for the summer months, it really is the perfect place to make up for lost time and reconnect over good food with all your favourite people.
Chilled-out street food: If it’s relaxed dining and a good time you’re after, look no further than Hamlets of Kinsale. In prime position in the heart of Kinsale, soak up the summer vibes in the brand-new gastro garden, a fresh, exciting and vibrant spacious location to enjoy exquisite street food with all the family. With an extensive menu, craft beers and expertly prepared cocktails made by an in-house mixologist, this is the perfect spot to refuel after a day on the beach with family.
General Manager Jason Sleator said: “We are so excited to open up again, having spent the last six months preparing for this moment. We can’t wait to share the wonderful new cocktails paired with our delightful menu in our colourful surroundings.”
Ireland’s most picturesque pints: Does anything go together better than great friends, fresh pints, award-winning food and amazing views…? We think not! Uniquely situated on the outskirts of Kinsale, overlooking the harbour, sunset drinks and seafood at the popular Bulman Bar are Kinsale’s answer to the famous Santorini castles at sundown. Steeped in tradition, the bar itself is full of character, has history in abundance and is the perfect place for family and friends to reconnect. Owner, Pearse O’Sullivan, also boasts catching shellfish with his bare hands from the waters just outside the restaurant, so you can be sure that you’re always eating the freshest produce at the Bulman! Watch him in action here.
Owner Pearse O’Sullivan: “The Bulman was named after the Bulman buoy that welcomes you to Kinsale Harbour and we are delighted that this summer we will be able to welcome many visitors to our bar and restaurant once more with our brand-new outdoor seating area. The thing I am most looking forward to about reopening is getting back into the kitchen, working with all my colleagues who I’ve missed over the last six months and seeing the customers who we have also missed in a huge way.”
Unique cooking techniques: At Finns’ Farmcut, it’s sure to be love at first bite! Reconnect with someone you adore with an intimate dining experience situated in the heart of Kinsale town. The restaurant is also the proud owner of a unique charcoal oven called ‘Bertha’, the first of its kind in Kinsale. A focal point in the kitchen, the fire engine red oven reaches temperatures of 400+°C to quickly imbue steaks and flat breads with the unique flavour of being cooked on organic American oak. The high heat locks in moisture, making this an especially good way to cook whole prawns, scallops or whole fish on the bone, grilled on the steel racks for more direct intensity.
Owner John Finn said: “We are so ready to open, Bertha is fired up and waiting for the first order, the silver has been polished and our riotously colourful furniture is ready to cheer and welcome back our regular and new customers. We thought this day would never come, it has been such an exciting few weeks stocking up and readying for our opening.”
Kinsale led the charge last year, setting the example of reopening safely with the help of renowned Global Pandemic Expert Dr Ian Norton, and was one of the first towns in Ireland to introduce on-street dining. The town has been hard at work on their Reconnect In Kinsale 2021 campaign and can’t wait to welcome back visitors in a safe and secure environment, ensuring that all businesses are compliant with current Covid-19 regulations. Every precaution has been made to ensure that everyone can have a safe and enjoyable summer once again. So, what are you waiting for? It is time to Reconnect in Kinsale.