HO ho ho, Santa stacked the food shelves early this year, with tempting treats in place for nearly a month now. Some are already reaching their sell-by dates, so read labels if buying and hiding away for Christmas Day.

If ever there was a time to visit the Garden County of Wicklow, then it is in early November as woodlands and forest swap summer green for the unspeakably beautiful autumnal palette, one of nature’s finest shows and a most exquisite closing act to the wild food foraging season.