Tourism Ireland

Interviews with Irish Chef

Belfast, Dublin and Cork Top Rated Irish Chefs Available for Interview in the US for St Patrick’s Week!

Contact Tourism Ireland to arrange interviews with any of our Visiting Celebrity Chef Ambassadors.

Tourism Ireland is thrilled to announce that three of Ireland’s 5 star chefs will join us in Boston for St Patrick’s week. The superb Paul Mc Knight of Belfast’s Culloden Hotel, Padraic Hayden of Dublin’s stunning Dylan Hotel and Tony O’Neill of the Belfast’s breathtaking Merchant Hotel will be in Boston to provide all the necessary advice you might need to create your very own St Patrick’s Day feast.

Paul McKnight

Paul has been executive chef at Belfast’s 5 Star Culloden Hotel for 25 years. He has also worked at the Ritz in London and at the Grand Hyatt in New York. His excellent career has seen him receive the AA Rosette for Fine Dining, the Taste of Ulster award and the RAC Restaurant award. He has shared his kitchen with such culinary greats as Gordon Ramsey and Gary Rhodes and has cooked for British Prime Ministers – Tony Blair and John Major, as well as Rock band U2.

Padraic Hayden

Padraic is executive chef at the stunning new 5 Star Dylan hotel in Dublin where he has created a unique cuisine to gratify all the senses. Formally Head chef at Dublin’s One Pico he brings something special to every plate, providing patrons with a singular dining experience. Under his stewardship the Dylan has received rave reviews, the Irish Independent describing it as “a boutique experience that is up there with the best in the world.”

Tony O’Neill

Tony returned from Australia where he worked at the renowned La Grillade restaurant, to take up the executive chef position at Belfast’s 5 Star Merchant Hotel. Formerly an old bank building this breathtaking property has to be seen to be believed. The food in The Great Room Restaurant is inspired by the classics, yet allows the excellence of each individual ingredient to shine through. Tony showcases food as it should be, using the best of local produce presented with a modern twist.

Paul Mc Knight, Padraic Hayden and Tony O’Neill are available for media interviews in Boston from March 12 - 17. They are hugely accomplished chefs and wonderful interviewees and would provide a perfect insight into an Irish culinary scene that has enjoyed a marvelous renaissance in the last number of years. Over 44 million Americans claim Irish Ancestry, in the run up to St. Patrick’s Day that figure grows considerably! Tourism Ireland would encourage you to give your coverage of St Patrick’s Week an Irish flavor by featuring these hugely talented chefs.

If you are interested in featuring Paul, Padraic or Tony please contact Joan Bolger at Tourism Ireland, telephone 212 418 0818 or email jbolger@tourismireland.com

Rachel Allen – “Ireland’s food ambassador”

Tourism Ireland is thrilled to announce that one of Ireland’s top celebrity chefs will be in New York in the run up to St Patrick’s Day. The delightful Rachel Allen will act as Ireland’s food ambassador in the big apple and will provide all the necessary ingredients to cook up a memorable St Patrick’s Day feast.

Rachel is the author of four bestselling cookery books, which include Rachel’s Favourite Food at Home and Rachel’s Food for Living. Her extremely popular television series for RTE (Irish television) and the BBC have been broadcast internationally and she frequently appears on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen. Her charming manner and effortless style make her a delight to watch.

Please find a biography and image gallery, a DVD of previous on air appearances available if required. See www.rachelallen.co.uk

Rachel is available for media appearances in New York from Mar 12 - Mar 15. She is an accomplished broadcaster and would provide a perfect insight into an Irish culinary scene that has enjoyed a marvelous renaissance in the last number of years. Over 44 million Americans claim Irish Ancestry, during St. Patrick’s week that figure grows considerably! Tourism Ireland would encourage you to make your St Patrick’s broadcast a special one by featuring this hugely talented chef.

If you are interested in featuring Rachel, please contact Joan Bolger at Tourism Ireland, telephone 212 418 0818 or email jbolger@tourismireland.com

2007 Philadelphia Flower Show:

Tourism Ireland will be a premier sponsor for the 2007 Philadelphia Flower Show. Long established as one of America’s finest horticultural shows, the 2007 event will feature ‘The Legends of Ireland’. The show is produced by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and will take place March 4 – 11, 2007. Visitors will be treated to a variety of themed gardens – originals of which can be found throughout Ireland. The show will feature a ‘living entrance’, knot, spiral and Castles gardens. For more information on this show and on gardens in Ireland please contact Ruth Moran at Tourism Ireland.

www.theflowershow.com

Click here for more information on gardens in Ireland.

Ireland’s Culinary Delights:

Farm fresh food, innovative young chefs and a huge increase in organic farming has made Ireland the newest destination for gourmands! The number of Michelin-starred restaurants increase each year and noted cooking schools abound.

Michelin Star Restaurants & Award Winners
Thornton’s at the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Michelin*, Dublin.
L’Ecrivain Restaurant, Michelin* Dublin.
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud Restaurant, Michelin**, Merrion Hotel Dublin.
Chapter One Restaurant, Dublin, Michelin* & Jacob’s Creek Reserve Award 2007.
MacNean House & Bistro, Co. Cavan, Georgina Campbell, Restaurant of the Year 2007 Award.
The Ballymore Inn, Co Kildare, Féile Bia Award 2007.

For further information about Irish Food and Drink click here.

New luxury accommodation throughout Ireland:

There are many new exciting luxury properties coming on line throughout Ireland over the next few months some notables include Ritz-Carlton which will open its first hotel in Ireland in 2007 when The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt opens in verdant County Wicklow. This will only be the company’s sixth European property. It will offer 203 rooms with great golf and spa facilities. Another new addition will be the Capella Castlemartyr located near the rugged coastline of County Cork, the historic manor house will offer 103 guestrooms and suites and the resort will also have a full spa and a Ron Kirby designed 18 hole golf course. - click here.

Great Escapes – Great Spas:

From Kerry to Donegal and Dublin to Galway and Belfast visitors can now find great Spa Vacations. Irish Spa Vacation offer a total escape from hectic, everyday life and offer a chance to rest, rejuvenate and luxuriate in the peace and serenity of the countryside. Many traditional health resorts now combine their approach with brand new and pampering spa facilities.

Click here for more information

Explore Ireland’s Islands:

Rugged, wild and beautiful, Ireland’s islands are steeped in history and shrouded in mystery and romance. Each island has a unique character with incredibly diverse landscapes – often sweeping from spectacular cliffs to craggy shore. On many islands the Irish language thrives. Traditional music, dance and crafts flourish and the sense of community is very strong.

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Great Golf:

The Emerald Isle has more golf courses than days in the year - and more courses listed in the Top 100 world rankings than any similar-sized place on earth. Some of the greatest golf courses in the world are in Ireland: Royal County Down, Ballybunion, Portmarnock, Waterville, Royal Portrush, The K Club, Lahinch, The Old Head and Mount Juliet, to name a few The 2006 Ryder Cup showcased Ireland’s golf at it’s best and will do so again in 2011 when Ireland will host the Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle, the ancestral home of the Earls of Fingal, which sits in a wooded estate in 500 acres in Dunsany, Co. Meath.

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Northern Ireland’s Growing Appeal:

More Americans than ever are now including Northern Ireland on their Emerald Isles visit. Research has identified some important tourism attractions as signature tourism projects with huge appeal to visitors. They will be promoted heavily to the American travel market.

These include:

•	The Walled City of Derry: Few places offer such a compelling and unique experience for the visitor as the Walled City of Derry – its setting on the steep hills overlooking the wide sweep of the River Foyle, its distinctive architecture and its famous walls all provide enormous appeal.
•	Christian Heritage/St. Patrick: The St. Patrick’s Visitor Centre opened in Downpatrick in 2001. This area represents an important part of the Christian Heritage of the island of Ireland and includes St. Patrick’s burial place
•	The Giant’s Causeway: It is one of the wonders of the world. The huge basalt ‘stepping-stones’ are a magnet for American visitors. The entire Antrim coastline is magnificent and it is a key attraction for visitors of all backgrounds and special interests.
•	Belfast Maritime Heritage/Titanic: Titanic, the most famous of all ocean liners was built in Belfast and launched (and sank) in 1911. Belfast’s Titanic Quarter is a must-see for visitors to this beautiful city.

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Irish City Life:

Dublin – the fair city, is rich in elegant Georgian architecture, world famous museums and now, a vibrant restaurant and club scene. Few cities have produced so many great literary artists. Dublin has produced great theatre and theatre companies, like the world acclaimed Abbey Theatre.

Belfast – Belfast is buzzing with culture and cuisine to satisfy all! Belfast is a lively, fun-packed city with ample opportunities to sample fine cuisine, friendly pubs, galleries and museums and great theatre and concert halls. Waterfront Hall is now one of Europe’s premier concert and conference venues.

Cork, Waterford, Londonderry and Limerick all have much to attract the city visitor including a warm Irish welcome!

Business Tourism:

With the business travel market recovering from the setbacks of the past few years, Ireland is looking to increase it’s share of business related travel. Especially in the meetings, conventions and incentive travel arenas. With increased air capacity and development of more luxury accommodation, meeting planners will find Ireland an intriguing choice for their next meeting or incentive.

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