Betimes, The Menu is inclined to think there are more food awards than actual foodstuffs, so great has their proliferation become in recent years, but The Irish Food Writers’ Guild Community Food Awards remain exceptional and above criticism in his eyes. 

The picturesque East Cork village of Garryvoe is still counting the cost of last weekend’s storms which caused extensive damage along its beach, according to The Evening Echo.

One of Cork’s most popular beaches has been closed for swimming after elevated levels of bacteria were found in the water.

Three out of the top 10 ‘green hotels’ in Ireland are in Cork. However, concern has been expressed about the poor uptake of the scheme in Kerry, where no hotels made it into even the top 20.

Hotels in East Cork have already taken bookings for this year’s Irish Open after it was confirmed the annual golfing event will be held at Fota Island in June.

With great food, a fine beach and plenty to do, Esther N McCarthy enjoyed her stay at Garryvoe Hotel

Make your marcade in Dublin

ONE OF the upsides to the downturn is the fact that Irish hotels and holiday homes have got a lot more competitive for families.

A treat for all senses awaits customers at the Everglades Hotel in Derry with the Sizzle, Sip and Stay Package. There is a package available from £55 up to August 31.

AN investigation into a fatal accident at an east Cork hotel’s septic tank could take weeks, or even months, to reach a conclusion.

COME summer time, there’s never a shortage of things to do around Ireland. Sometimes the best of festivals tended to go unnoticed but these days it’s easy to pick them on www.discoverireland.ie

Cookery demonstration by Darina Allen of Ballymaloe Cookery School, in aid of Tsunami Disaster Fund, at Garryvoe Hotel on Thursday, February 3, at 8pm.