This year’s Macroom Food Festival (Sept 23-25) sets out under the thematic heading of ‘Blás na hÁite’, which is as it should be for the lovely Cork town and its glorious hinterland, heaving with some very fine producers, farmers, and growers, many of them great favourites of The Menu. 

Milltown-Castlemaine 2-9 Austin Stacks 2-6: It could only happen in Kerry! Last year’s county champions Austin Stacks are staring down the barrel of relegation from the senior championship to the intermediate ranks in 2016.

It didn’t quite compensate for the recent failure to bring back Sam to the Kingdom, but there was great local delight at the crowning of Cahirciveen company Quinlan’s Seafood as supreme champions at the Blás na hÉireann Food Awards as part of the annual Dingle Food Festival that took place in the Kerry over the weekend.

Shanballymore 1-15 Bantry Blues 1-13: They were pushed all the way, but Cork JBHC honours went to Shanballymore as they withstood a dogged Bantry Blues fightback at Páirc Uí Rinn last night.

Kerry SFC: Milltown/Castlemaine 0-18 West Kerry 2-12

Chef’s Table, Chapter One,

L Mulligan Grocer, 18 Stoneybatter, Dublin 7;

THE Travel Classics International Writers conference has been held in Ireland several times over the past 19 years. This year it was held at Ballymaloe House and surrounding area. The delegates included some of the most prestigious food and travel editors and writers in the world. The weather was good, the country side looked beautiful and they really enjoyed the fresh food from the farm, gardens, local fishermen and artisan producers.

Dublin 1-22 Westmeath 0-9

The Munster Rugby Awards luncheon returned to Cork on Friday when a number of clubs throughout the province were rewarded for their efforts with Kanturk RFC proving the most vocal and well represented.

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While the pre-theatre dinner is a great boon to the restaurateurs, The Menu confesses to finding such dining to be overly rushed so is much taken with the Ballyvolane House solution, whereby the theatre comes to the diners.

Some of Cork’s best-known food heroes took their produce to Dublin yesterday in a bid to tempt international conference visitors south.

WEST CORK is by now an internationally-recognised brand.

A family-run Co Cork butcher’s shop that has produced food fit for a queen was honoured for its exceptional contribution to Ireland’s reputation as a top food producing country.

Coláiste na nDéise cruised into the Dr Harty Cup final with victory in the all-Waterford affair which started bizarrely at Fraher Field, Dungarvan on Saturday.

Gerard Hurley went back to his native West Cork to direct and star in the acclaimed new film The Pier, writes Pádraic Killeen

THOUGH, obviously enough, The Old Convent was once a nunnery it is an alpha-male building radiating authority through its assertive, almost garrison-like lines and magnificent stone facade.

SUPERIOR firepower was the key to victory for St Flannan’s College as they claimed the Dean Ryan Cup at Cashel yesterday.

THERE is some debate currently as to whether the Angelus should continue to be broadcast on RTÉ.

LEAGUE OF IRELAND Premier Division leaders Bohemians host Sligo Rovers this evening in an attempt to stay at the summit for the upcoming two-week summer break (all games 7.45pm unless stated).

LIMERICK FC chief executive, Andrew Mawhinney, has stepped down from the post.

Jack McCarthy linked up with Mary Burns of Ardrahan Cheese in Kanturk, Co Cork, to make these terrific sausages with Ballygiblin outdoor free-range pork. Easy peasy casual food — great for a summer barbecue.

Irish American lawyer and businessman, Jack McCarthy, has agreed in principle to take over Eircom League of Ireland First Division club, Limerick 37.

Teen sensation Cian McNamara produced two stunning extra time comebacks to win the Shell Ireland sponsored South of Ireland title at Lahinch.

JACK McCARTHY (Irish Examiner letters, May 20) thinks we should cease to assist Belarus with humanitarian aid because Ireland received no points from them in the Eurovision Song Contest.

THE old saying that charity begins at home was proved true once again during the Eurovision Song Contest when all countries gave the credit to their near neighbours.