A short while ago I shared news about the World Irish Stew Championship being organized in County Sligo this week as part of the Gathering initiative.
On a whim I entered my recipe for Guinness Beef Stew. Believe it or not, my recipe was chosen for the homecook's portion of the competition. I was completely amazed and thrilled. I'll be flying to Dublin today and then traveling to Sligo to compete.
The Beauty of County Sligo
A trip to Ireland to cook a stew is definitely a prize beyond my wildest dreams.
I couldn't believe my luck when my husband's work schedule cooperated, allowing him be off to take care of our four little ones. And into the bargain I will be visiting Sligo, one of the most scenic counties in all of Ireland.
When I was a little girl we visited Sligo for a short family break one weekend. We stayed at a hotel on Rosses Point, beside a spectacular sandy beach overlooking Sligo Bay.
When we reached the hotel I discovered I had forgotten my suitcase. My two sisters wore their trendy 1970's maxi dresses to dinner at night. I wore practical corduroy pants with a red sweater my mother bought in Sligo. All weekend other guests assumed I was the boy of the family.
And that's not the only time I reached my destination without sight nor light of my suitcase. Most people can blame their airline for such incidents, but in my case it's usually some silly oversight on my part.
Forgotten Suitcases
On our trip to Ireland two years ago, I once again arrived without my suitcase. Unfortunately my bag has very sensitive rollers. It only needs the slightest touch to glide across a hardwood floor.
As my husband grabbed bags from a stack of six awaiting loading, a slight nudge caused my bag to slide away and topple over behind the bed.
And there it lay, all forlorn hiding in the bedroom awaiting my return. And there I stood, with nothing but the clothes on my back when I arrived in Ireland.
Lucky for me I have two sisters living in Ireland. I felt like a teenager as I raided their wardrobes. Don't worry, I didn't find those trendy 70's maxis.
My bag is now packed for my trip. Let's all say a prayer it makes the journey all the way across the pond to Ireland. This time I plan to arrive in Sligo with a suitcase and a change of clothes to my name.
A big thanks to Debbie Chartoff, a travel writer for Examiner.com based in Louisville, for her words of encouragement when she reviewed my trip in her feature article today.
Photos of Ireland
I promise to take lots and lots of photos of Ireland to share with you this week. Keeping my fingers crossed a little bit of sunshine will break through the clouds to illuminate some good shots.
In the meantime, please excuse me if I don't add very many new posts this week. I have a few stories prepared to share, but posting them will depend on internet connection at my destination. The beautiful town of Sligo is well worth a visit.
And so during this first week of May, the Kentucky Derby won't be the highlight for this Louisville girl. Instead of focusing on horses, I'll be cooking stew in Ireland.
If you love stew then you might enjoy some of my other Irish stew recipes which include a Farmhouse Beef Stew, Beef Barley Stew, and Dublin Coddle.
Thanks so much for following my recipes and ramblings.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Land and Culture
Symbols of Ireland
- Aran Sweater Giveaway From Standún, Spiddal
- Connemara Marble Shamrock Pendant
- Celtic Cross Silver Pendant Day Six Gift
- The Shawl: An Irish Fashion Statement Of Old, Plus A Beautiful Pashmina Giveaway To Celebrate St. Patrick's Day
margie
Have a wonderful trip and I hope your stew wins
Irish American Mom
Thanks Margie. Win or lose it should be great fun!
Mairéad
Elizabeth
Best of luck to you, Mairead...what an exciting adventure! Looking forward to your photos + travel tales.
Irish American Mom
Elizabeth - I'm hoping for some good weather so I can get some good shots. Will post them next week.
All the best,
Mairéad
Mariana
Congratulations! Have a great week and enjoy!
Irish American Mom
Thanks Mariana. Will do!
Mairéad
Sarah
How cool - congratulations and have fun!
Irish American Mom
Sarah - It was a great surprise, and so wonderful to see my parents again. I haven't seen them in nearly two years.
Take care,
Mairéad
mary donegan
I was born in Sligo in 1942 ...left there when I was 6 years old.. I visited several times....on two occasions I stayed in my old home which was now a bed and breakfast establishment.
Just a couple of years ago, my two sisters and I returned to Sligo. one from Tipperary,.one from the US and one from Canada. We visited the Church where my older sister was confirmed. and checked out our old school...the Mercy Convent which is now a home for refugees. We walked the route from the school all the way to our home....down a street where the Imperial hotel was, across a bridge, up a narrow street to the Mall, turned right walked out the road passing the hospital ( County Home), down Holloway Hill to Ballinode where our house was. I have a vague memory of standing at the end of a lane when I was a child and seeing the funeral of WB Yeats, pass by as his body was being reinterred in Drumcliff. Looking out at Ben Bulben, I can completely understand why WB Yeats believed in fairies and other worldly creatures....Sligo is truly a 'magical' place.
Irish American Mom
Mary - It sounds like you had a lovely trip down memory lane in every sense. Once you see Sligo you realize why Yeats loved it so much. You truly did grow up in a magical place. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your lovely recollections of Sligo.
Mairéad
Pat F.
Have a wonderful trip! How fun, and you'll be eating yummy food too!
Irish American Mom
Pat - Tomorrow night we will be treated to a delicious dinner as part of the trip. Really looking forward to learning from all the professionals at this competition. I'll take lots of photos to share with everyone.
All the best,
Mairéad
Mary
Well done. Keeping my fingers crossed your bag flies with you. Hope your stew is a great success.
Irish American Mom
Mary - Bags got here - just forgot the crown jewels. I left my little box of necklaces and earrings on my bed in Kentucky. I always forget something - will borrow something from my sister. It's great to have sisters at my destination.
All the best,
Mairéad
brian@irelandfavorites
Exciting news and good luck Mairead,
What a triple win, you get to show off your culinary wizardry, you get to make a trip Sligo, and you get a vacation from being supermom as well. Hoping the weather is fine and safe travels,
Brian.
Irish American Mom
Brian - My first day in Dublin has been a lovely clear, crisp day. I hope I have your luck with sunny Irish weather for the rest of this quick trip.
All the best,
Mairéad
Sophie Moss
This is so exciting!! Congratulations! Will you share the recipe when you return? I'd love to try making it. 🙂 Good luck!!
Irish American Mom
Thanks Sophie - My original recipe is cooked slowly in the crockpot, but for the competition I only have an hour and a half to get it done. I have tweaked my original recipe and will post my updated version once I get back to America.
All the best,
Mairéad
Aimee
Congratulations Mairead!! That's exciting! We loved your stew recipe- hopefully the judges will too! And we'll say a little prayer that you'll arrive intact with several different outfit selections. 🙂 Best of luck to you!
Irish American Mom
Aimee - Bags are here, so I won't have to go and buy a pair of corduroys and a 70's turtle neck. Thanks for the good wishes.
Mairéad
Bonnie Banters
I'm so thrilled for you Mairead! Have a wonderful time and good luck!
Irish American Mom
Bonnie - Thanks for the good wishes.
Penny Wolf
Four winds to carry you safe and sound!
Irish American Mom
Thanks Penny - The four winds carried my bags here safe and sound too, so I won't be caseless in Sligo this time.
All the best,
Mairéad
Liam
That's wonderful, Mairead. Good luck! We'll all be rooting for you 🙂
Liam
Irish American Mom
Thanks Liam.
Maureen O' Hanlon
Mairead, Im so happy for you, you deserve every bit of it, you are a fantastic cook and you deserve the best, your stew id delicious, Take care and dont forget your suit case, That stew is going to come out tops.
Irish American Mom
Thanks Maureen. I made it tonight for my family here in Dublin and it got their seal of approval. All the best,
Mairéad
Sara
Good luck, my dear. And don't forget us lowly Americans when you are a rich and famous chef.
Irish American Mom
Sara - You should see the mess I make in the kitchen when I'm cooking. I'd never pass a chef's scrutiny. It's easy to keep the flour spills out of my blog photos, but I'm not so sure how tidy I'll be cooking in front of a crowd. Keeping my fingers crossed.
All the best,
Mairéad
Cheryl Barker
Mairead, I am so very excited for you!! Hope you have the trip of a lifetime -- and good luck in the competition!
Irish American Mom
Thanks Cheryl. Just had a lovely dinner at the gala reception, and I'm learning so much about wonderful new ways of preparing Irish food.
Take care,
Mairead
Máiréad
I'm so excited and delighted for you Mairead! Good luck and enjoy every minute 🙂
Irish American Mom
Máiréad - I've had a ball. Lots of good food, great people, lovely scenery, and plenty of fog and rain, just in case I might think Ireland is all sunshine and green fields. I took some photos, fog rolls and all, which I'll share in the coming days. Today is my last day, so I'm going to head into Dublin with my camera. Fingers crossed the sun will peep out from behind those clouds.
Hope you have a lovely weekend,
Mairéad