The Menu has enjoyed wonderfully uplifting repasts in The Stuffed Olive Café, in Bantry, so was saddened when it closed last year.

Endurance athletes will push themselves to the limit as one of the country’s toughest adventure races comes to West Cork.

Organisers of a West Cork food festival will pay homage to a town’s tragic past by honouring famine victims and the humble potato.

Before the begrudgers let rip with a broadside, implying The Menu’s life is one long holiday, The Menu would like to point out his current sojourn in West Cork is strictly research — for his return in September to one of the nation’s longest running food festivals, A Taste of West Cork, Sept 10-16.

It’s time to search for the wellies and don your best festival gear as this — hopefully not too wet — August bank holiday weekend is packed with festival fun.

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

Up to 15 students will be enrolled in the first year of Ireland’s first MSc in organic horticulture course, which will be taught in West Cork from later this year.

A NEW third-level course in organic horticulture has been announced.

THE multi-gabled Skibbereen house, Rosebank, is being practically priced for sale by auction: a declared reserve of €850,000 is quoted for the period era west home, on 14 acres.