Having enjoyed the magic of Co Clare as a youngster, Eoin English retraces his steps — now with his own family in tow.

The Menu would dearly love to be unwrapping his Easter eggs in Glorious Gaillimh next weekend with the 3rd Galway Food Festival (April 17-21) in full flight over Easter.

A great man for Shank’s Mare, one of The Menu’s finest ever escapades was on the Burren, so the prospect of a walking weekend at the peak of wildflower season led by author/guide Tony Kirby (May 10-12) in Co Clare has him dusting down the clogs.

A TOUCH OF ITALIA WITH ADDED SUMMER VALUE

AN UPSURGE of interest in the outdoors is creating new opportunities for artists and authors of guidebooks on the Irish countryside.