The Menu and his progeny have been burning the midnight oil in a flurry of green-tinged preparations for Lá Féile Pádraig and while the dye may have already run from his emerald-green undershorts, his smorgasbord of fine Irish foodstuffs to serve on the day should prove infinitely more rewarding.

WE’RE all still on a high from the Litfest. Apart from all the antics and stimulating talks, forums and panel discussions in the Grain Store and Big Shed, there was also a packed schedule at the Ballymaloe Cookery School with three and sometimes four events running simultaneously. This week I want to share some of my personal highlights.

Despite the summer stretch in the day, The Menu feels nothing short of a turbo-booster for the bould Neidín will enable him to attend every last one of an ever-increasing proliferation of food festivals around this glorious island.