I love Ireland ... to be sure

'In Dublin's fair city' ... Molly Malone 

What food inspiration do you draw upon for a country where the culinary centre revolves around .... potatoes!

Well ... you write about the other Irish food - the liquid meal ... a Pint of Guinness.

The Perfect Pint

Ireland is a great destination and Dublin is a fun city - but unlike many of its European neighbours where people come back to London talking of delicious culinary experiences like Italy's pasta, Spain's Chorizo, Greece's gyros ....  people come back from Ireland talking about:

1. Guinness
2. The Irish sense of humour
3. The green rolling hills and spectacular scenery

Irish folklore has it that a pint of Guinness contains the same nutrients as a roast dinner (not sure if that's true, or if its just Irish Craic!) but one truth I do know to be true, is that Guinness tastes better in Ireland and it tastes best when consumed at The Gravity Bar - the 360 degree rooftop bar at the top of the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin.

Guinness Storehouse, Dublin

I have been lucky enough to do two trips to Ireland in the last six weeks. Ireland is a country that boasts Live Traditional Irish Music, Irish stew, Soda Bread, Black Pudding, Green rolling hills, Friendly locals who are up for a chat and a laugh and endless pubs offering pints of black beer.

Irish stew

Even though at this time of year, the winter weather can be dire (grey and wet), the warm people and great vibe make it a great holiday destination any time of year..... Its impossible to be unhappy in Ireland!

My favourite Irish Pub - Oliver St John Gogartys - is located in Dublin's Tourist Heart, Temple Bar. Gogartys is a Dublin Institution. We first stumbled across it by accident when we moved to the UK and visited Dublin in 2011 and we've been back every time since.

Oliver St John Gogartys - Temple Bar

 The Gogartys draw card is the awesome Irish Music - the musicians play live traditional Irish music from 2pm - 2am every day. It has a great restaurant and you can eat your meal in the main bar area so you can enjoy your Irish stew while you soak up the atmosphere which serves as a definite flavour enhancer.

Traditional Irish music from 2am - 2pm

We had some great meals in Ireland and I can report that the Irish obsession with potatoes is very real. One lunchtime, we ordered a fish pie that was topped with mashed potato and came with two sides .... roast potatoes and more mashed potato! Seriously, they love the stuff. I'm not sure the benefits of a low carb diet have caught on in the Emerald Isle.

So ... to be sure ... Ireland never disappoints - and to sign off with a carbohydrate inspired Irish Toast ...

'Here's to eyes in your heads and none in your spuds'