Tastes & Tales of Joyce Country

Arna sheoladh ag Anna Burke

"Autumn of 2016 was the start of an amazing adventure in allowing the seed of an ‘idea’ to grow and blossom. Over a coffee one afternoon, we pondered the notion of producing a ‘cook and look’ book ~ something to embrace all that’s rich and rewarding about our surrounding Joyce Country – Dúiche Sheoighe, its people and places. Combined with this growing passion to publish a book was our desire to raise funds for Spraoi sa Choill, a woodland park and playground in Clonbur, Co. Galway. “Fortune favours the brave…” and we were blessed to meet such eager support from everyone we approached. We gathered delicious recipes from so many enthusiastic people who, along with their recipe, shared other memories and stories with us. We collected wonderful words from storytellers who regaled us with tales of times past, and from others who shared their passion about the magical landscape around us and all her trails and treasures. We were delighted to document those recipes and stories and give them their place in history. Of course, we also delighted in being fed and watered from time to time along the way…! We’re very proud to be say that to date, we have sold over one thousand copies of Tastes & Tales of Joyce Country and all the proceeds have gone directly to the Spraoi sa Choill fundraising account. Also, we were honoured to have been shortlisted for The County Galway Cathaoirleach’s Award earlier this year. Although at times this journey seems unending, we had lots of fun along the way and learned more than we could have ever imagined. And so, in December 2017, we launched Tastes & Tales of Joyce Country – Bia & Blasanna ó Dhúiche Sheoighe."