Donal Hickey: Best blackberry season in years, isn't it?

There's a bumper crop of blackas on the brambles this year thanks to a great summer — scroll down for recipes for blackberry gin and blackberry drizzle cake

Blackberry-stained hands from picking a bumper crop. Cork city, Sunday, August 31. Pictures: Larry Cummins

The blackberry season is well underway and heavily-laden brambles (briars) provide evidence of a bumper crop this year, probably due to the excellent summer weather.

But, if you haven’t been out picking yet, don’t worry. Still green and red berries that are still  will ripen in autumn days, extending the supply for a few more weeks.