The 3rd Annual West Cork Burns Supper

Now fully established in the yearly culinary & cultural calendar, this year’s West Cork Burns Supper takes place on Friday, 24th January, at the West Cork Hotel and will attract the usual devotees of the poet, his native land and, of course, good food and drink.

Hosted by the West Cork Hotel and West Cork Food, this year’s Burns Night already has more than 90 guests booked and is on its way to being sold out.  Last year not even the terrible weather and flooding on the roads could put people off and has grown to become one of the most anticipated things to do in West Cork.

As Neil Grant, General Manager of the West Cork Hotel observed, “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 the idea with the menu is to create a Celtic fusion of Scots tradition and the finest West Cork produce, with the emphasis being on traditional comfort food with a style that the hotel has become renowned. “We are going back to basics”, says Neil. 

“The Haggis from McSween’s of Edinburgh, will be served as a Main course and guests will be able to choose Haggis or Poached Haddock.  Haddock is king in Scotland when it comes to fish!  We will also recognise some new friends from over the water by incorporating Arran Whisky’s Robert Burns Malt and Braehead Foods of Kilmarnock’s amazing Game Terrine. Our local hero’s Woodcock Smokery, West Cork Distillers, Rosscarbery Recipes & Glenilen Farm will all be featured on the menu also”.

The cheese board will again feature cheeses from Burns’ own country, some from his birth place and some from the place that he passed away, alongside award-winning West Cork cheeses.  The customary dram served with the haggis is a choice of Robert Burns single malt from the Isle of Arran or Lough Hyne premium Irish spirit from Union Hall, not too far from our hotel in West Cork.

During the course of the evening Norman Kean will recite “Tam O’Shanter” and all the official duties required during a Burns Supper will take place from members of the audience. 

Guests will then retire to one of the friendliest pubs in Skibbereen, the Ilen Bar, for a session of Scots & Irish music.  All are welcome to join in.  “It is normally one of the highlights of the night the singing afterwards”, said Neil.  “There are so many wonderful voices normally in attendance that it would be a shame not to use them!”  The night will round off with a rousing sing along of Auld Lang Syne before all retire to reflect on a great night of shared Celtic Culture!

What better way to liven up a dark winter night once Christmas and New Year are just fading memories?

For further details please contact Neil Grant, General Manager, at info@westcorkhotel.com or on 028 21277.