There are these little oases all around our country. They are made special by the characters, the food producers, the town’s people and especially the rural communities around them. Every so often, I come across a business that I know is a huge asset to its place. A hub where doing business morphs into the model of serving the people of the locality. I found such a place in Field’s SuperValu in Skibbereen. It shows that a supermarket can set itself apart and can support local food producers in an innovative way.

I stayed in Baltimore for three nights with my friend Anne. It was an end-of-season get together before the madness of autumn began. Everyone is buzzing organising their big bang thing with the unspoken promise of “then I’ll enjoy Christmas”.

Cartoon by Clyde Delaney.

Breaks away defined by food

My first day in Baltimore coincided with a day of no electricity. Not ideal when on holiday. Anne and I pressed buttons, turned switches and even checked the fuse box. The kettle remained cold and unresponsive, the internet dead, so there was nothing for it but to strike out for breakfast.

Down the hill we went. The chef from Jacob’s bar was on the street. He told us to go to Casey’s Hotel because they had gas. The hotel is accessible with ramps and welcoming.

We went into Skibbereen, a buzzing country town with an abundance of shops selling all kinds of quirky things

We sat outside and had our particular takes on the full Irish breakfast with excellent service. The family dogs, two old sheepdogs watched us carefully should we drop a crumb. We went into Skibbereen, a buzzing country town with an abundance of shops selling all kinds of quirky things.

Anne bought me a half basket that fits against two steps of stairs. I have one son in particular that stores many things on the stairs. They have now been “basketed” and things look much tidier and mother is much happier.

Breaks away are defined by food. The Church restaurant looked inviting. It was a Methodist church in a previous life. We had the fish chowder and it was a true culinary experience; so full of fish and scrumptiously tasty.

The most southerly tip of Ireland is breathtakingly beautiful and sufficiently wild to make it memorable

The following day, we took a drive out through Goleen to Mizen Head and explored the walks and the Signal Station. The most southerly tip of Ireland is breathtakingly beautiful and sufficiently wild to make it memorable.

Anne had me pestered for a coffee from about 11am. I gave in around 4pm when I spotted the post office in Goleen. We both had something to post. Within the same building was a café called Along the Way. It proved just the place for the perfect coffee.

We finished our day with an exquisite meal in Rolf’s Country House and Restaurant in Baltimore, with scallops to die for and lamb and duck cooked to perfection. It’s well worth a visit for that special occasion.

Reality bites

My last morning in Baltimore had me back in organisational mode. There was food to be purchased and people to be fed. The reality is that no housewife can come home without groceries – and nice groceries at that.

It’s almost in reparation for the time spent away. A friend of ours from the Macra days was calling and that meant we invited a few others from that era to reminisce and catch up. So I needed a special shopping expedition.

Anne had been into Field’s SuperValu before I arrived and she advised a visit. I thought I’d be about 30 minutes but I was well over the hour such was the food offering.

I told her I was a visitor and that I was hugely impressed with the fresh fish and huge displays of fresh fruit and vegetables on offer

Toonsbridge Mozzarella, succulent tomatoes and fresh pesto for starter, everything needed for Beef Bourguignon was readily available, every cheese under the sun for the cheese board and fresh cream slices from the bakery for dessert. It was a mini Cork City English Market. At the checkout, Christine – a Bantry lady – gave me full attention. I told her I was a visitor and that I was hugely impressed with the fresh fish and huge displays of fresh fruit and vegetables on offer.

“You have to try Coughlan’s locally produced potatoes,” she said. “Will I get you a bag?” And she was up and away from the checkout to get it. That’s real service and given with a smile is a real treat and they were gorgeous spuds!