Hot tip

Irish Seedsavers Association: Starting in February the association will be running courses including Creating an Orchard, Dry Stone Walling and Organic Gardening, at Capparoe, Scarriff, Co Clare. Contact 061-921866, email: [e-mail].

They are also a great source for unusual and rare vegetable seeds.

New farmers’ market: A farmers’ market will open on February 8, in Time Square, Ballincollig, Co Cork, from 10am till late afternoon. A large selection of stalls will include Arbutus breads, Frank Hederman’s smoked fish and Ollie O’Driscoll’s fresh fish from West Cork.

Irish Food and Craft Fair: As part of this year’s St Patrick’s Festival there will be an Irish Food and Craft Fair along St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, from March 16 to 19 from 10am to 6pm. The theme will be good quality Irish food and crafts and anyone interested in participating should contact Vanessa Clarke, Official Market Coordinator on 086-834 9939 or email: [e-mail].