Building on the success of last year’s Supper, this year attracted an even bigger following and not even the terrible weather and flooding on the roads could deter people!  As Neil Grant, our General Manager commented, “I was saying thanks to one of our guests as I knew they had travelled a distance to get here in terrible weather.  Their response was to say that they would have taken any detour required and would make it here ‘no matter what’!  It was lovely to hear!”

Again showcasing the culinary skills and imagination that makes our restaurant in Skibbereen so popular, and creating a menu befitting of such an event, our Head Chef Aidan O’Driscoll created a fusion menu of traditional Scottish dishes that used the finest of West Cork produce.

Sourcing Haggis from McSween’s of Edinburgh, which made its entrance to the accompaniment of the bagpipes, was complemented during the evening with local scallops, and with loin of venison from North Cork.  Our friends at Woodcock Smokery provided the necessary ingredients for Arbroath Smokie fishcakes, whilst Scottish Clootie Dumplings were paired with Glenilen Clotted Cream and Union Hall Drombeg Custard.

The cheese board was an eclectic mix that featured cheeses from Burns’ birth place and from the place that he passed away, as well as a selection of award-winning cheeses from West Cork.

Of course no Burn’s night would be complete without the customary dram and the choices on the night were a local Lough Hyne premium Irish spirit or a Ardbeg single malt from the Isle of Islay, which was a gift from the Ardbeg Distillery from the visitor centre Manager Jackie Thompson who was so taken by the idea of a West Cork Burns Supper that she offered the appreciated gesture of supplying the dram!

As well as the wonderful food, there was much entertainment to be had, and Norman Kean as MC for the evening ensured that all kept on track as he introduced speakers and performers to recite and carry out the official duties required during a Burns Supper.

Among the guests were food writer, lecturer and blogger Mei Chin from America and John and Sally McKenna of Bridgestone Guides fame, as well as our Neil Grant’s father Ian Grant who performed the final official duty of the Immortal Memory to Rabbie Burns.

The evening ended with a sing along to Auld Lang Syne before all happily retreated to the Bar for some informal singing and to reflect on a great night of shared Celtic Culture, which we hope to host again next year!

Join us first for a gourmet celebratory dinner in our Kennedy Restaurant in Skibbereen that includes selection of canapés, a choice of starters, mains and dessert and will be followed by petit fours and your choice of tea or coffee. After dinner, why not head to our Ilen bar and join us for a few celebratory drinks and to enjoy the entertainment from Seanie O’Brien.

So you know when you can join us for that drink or bite to eat over the Festive period, please note our Christmas Opening Hours:

• Restaurant & Bar closed after lunch service on Monday 24thDecember (Re-opening for lunch service on Friday 28th December at 12:30pm)
• Accommodation closed from December 24th until December 28th

Devoted to highlighting the good food ethos and combining this with all the many attractions of the immediate surroundings, the A Taste of West Cork festival is a welcome treat for both food lovers and visitors alike and is becoming one of the must do things to do in west Cork. Year-on-year as the festival hits town expect to get caught up in the buzz and vibe throughout the town as Restaurants and businesses will be alive with imaginative ways to celebrate the regions proud food heritage.

Throughout the week there shall be numerous workshops, tastings and demonstrations on all elements of international cuisine with the full calendar of events laid out and many eating establishments playing their part. There will be food markets, food-tastings, children’s events, guided walks, talks and demonstrations, as well as cookery competitions with special dinners, brunches and banquets.

Here at the West Cork Hotel we are playing our own part in this festival with our second running of the popular Celtic Cook Off cookery competition that is back due to popular demand. This special event, which is sure to yet again be one of the many highlights of the festival is happening on Wednesday 12 September 2012. Tickets can be purchased direct from us and are selling out fast to place make sure you book yours now to avoid disappointment by calling us direct on 00 353 28 21277.

Visiting numerous local villages, including Glandore, Drimoleague and Kilcrohane, the Wharfedale Rugby Club also played a friendly game against Skibbereen RFC, who took a narrow victory 29-26.

Seen here on the old railway bridge with owner of the West Cork Hotel Tim Looney at their farewell BBQ enjoying some of the delicious food cooked by the chefs from our Kennedy Restaurant in Skibbereen, we look forward to welcome the lads back again soon.

We also look forward to welcoming the winners of the friendly match, Skibbereen RFC, who will be here with us on Friday 8th June to enjoy their annual rugby club dinner.

We here at the West Cork Hotel are not surprised to hear about the popularity of the area for walkers, especially as at the end of this month from 29th April – 2nd May, its the annual Walking Talking Festival in Cape Clear – This weekend consists of a series of guided walks with local experts, focusing on the history, folklore and ecology of the area, followed by various, informal gatherings that including poetry and song.

If you are in heading to Cape Clear and looking for somewhere on the main land, than our hotel in West Cork is the ideal base to stay and enjoy a bite to eat after a long day West Cork walking and talking in Cape Clear than why not try our restaurant in Skibbereen.

Programme of events commences Friday 15th June, Arriving here at the West Cork Hotel on Friday 15th June, the programme of events commences at 6:30pm, with Meet the Producers; An informal chance to meet, talk and eat with some of our leading artisan producers in West Cork, including Sally Barnes from Woodcock Smokery. Who you shall meet again the following day, as on Saturday 16th June at 10:30am, you will go to Woodcock Smokery to ‘Smoke your Own’ – an opportunity to learn filleting skills and prepare you own fish to be smoked. Lunch will also be served at Woodcock Smokery. After lunch about 2:30pm, you will visit Manning’s Food Festival in Ballylickey, held at the famous Manning’s Emporimum and with over 40 fresh food, drink and craft producers presenting their exquisite selection of produce! Tea will be served at Manning’s Emporium and later that night on your return here to the West Cork Hotel; dinner will be served in our Kennedy restaurant in Skibbereen. Focusing on locally sourced produce, our house specialities include Bantry Bay Mussels and Castletownbere Crab and Salmon Cakes. Your final day, Sunday 18th June will begin with seaweed hunting and foraging with Sally McKenna, well known cookery editor and publisher of the Bridgestone Guides, followed by lunch at Glebe Gardens before departing from West Cork at 3pm.

The cost for this amazing food experience weekend is just 380 euro per person and price includes – accommodation, breakfast, evening meals (on 2 days), collection and return to Cork Airport/Station and transport to and from venues. For more information about this fantastic weekend and how to book, visit our: West Cork Food June Break

So for those of you who have not yet been in for a drink in the snug, what better excuse than to head down to your hotel West Cork this Easter weekend to meet up with family and friends whilst we serenade you with some fantastic music?

If you can’t make it down for the music then why not on Easter Sunday, as we’ll have chocolate treats for the kids, choose to dine out instead, let us handle the cooking and washing up and enjoy a family meal at our restaurant in Skibbereen.

Your Hotel West Cork website has What’s on in West Cork and what is available in the way of activities west cork, and you will find details of Whale Watching in West Cork and who to contact for whale watching excursions, as well as details of sea kayaking in West Cork and where this is offered in the region.

And parents don’t forget with The West Cork Hotel superb mid week meal deals, why not dine in our restaurant in Skibbereen and let someone cook for you for a change.