Ireland

[bigapplekathleen]

I have just returned from my trip to Ireland. (10 days) It is the most beautiful place on earth! Simply enchanting!

I wanted to share a couple of experiences that others may find helpful:

Aer Lingus has delicious gluten-free meals, but watch out for the bread. The cabin crew put a regular wheat bread roll on my tray before they brought it to me. I knew it couldn't possibly be gluten-free, so that was fine; I handed it off to my fiance to taste it, and he knew immediately it was wheat. Also, when they pass out the snacks at the end of the flight, be sure to ask for your gluten-free snack. They came around with wheat scones for everyone else and I had to ask if they had a snack for me. Indeed, they did --- a banana and a cup of gluten-free yogurt. YUM!

RESTAURANTS:

Bacus, a new restaurant in KENMARE, has delicious food and the owner was very accommodating for gluten-free meal. All of the food was exceptional and service impeccable.

BACUS BISTRO, Main Street, Kenmare, Co. kerry, (064) 48300 www.bacus.ie

(expensive)

Mulcahys Restaurant (extremely expensive) was not very accommodating for gluten-free. My food was bland (the chef wouldn't use any sauces or oils for my meal), but the others in my group had delicious meals (not gluten-free). Service was very slow and not friendly. (Our dinner took 2.5 hours)

Mulcahys restaurant, 36 henry St, Kenmare, CO. Kerry, (064) 42383

Atlantic Bar (inexpensive) in Kenmare was not able to accommodate at all, except for a plain salad. They couldn't even make a plain piece of fish or meat. Everything is pre-marinated. The others in my group (not gluten-free) had simple bar food which was ok (pizza, burgers, fries/chips)

Cashel Palace, Cashel, was not only accommodating, but had perhaps the best food I have ever had in any restaurant anywhere in the world. I gave the chef my 'restaurant card' and asked what was easiest for him to make. I had many choices, and when I chose the salmon, he made it to perfection. My plate had little cups of different sauces, all made from ingredients they grow in their own garden behind the palace. These included: plain olive oil, homemade pesto, balsamic vinegar and honey reduction. The chef even wrote me a note (!) and listed all the ingredients in the sauces. WOW!

Cashel Palace, CASHEL, in the downtown area, right beneath the Rock of Cashel. (They have an expensive restaurant or you can eat bar food which is less expensive. You can also order off the restaurant menu in the bar.)

Ballyseede Castle, Tralee, was extremely accommodating for dinner. (Prix fixe, $45 per person, 5 course dinner) The chef, who is from Australia, was able to make the most incredible gluten-free courses. I recommend the grilled prawns (shrimp), champagne sorbet, and salmon with vegetables. I would HIGHLY recommend this castle and restaurant !!!!!! The staff was friendly, accommodating and helpful. They even watched the kids while we had a dinner for the two of us in the restaurant.

However, the morning staff was not as accommodating and even brought hard-boiled eggs with little pieces of bread all over the plate. (Luckily, the eggs were still in the shell, so they just needed a good rinse.) The table linen was dirty and had bread crumbs everywhere. There were even bread crumbs in the sugar bowl. (I think this was just a bad morning for everyone there. The experience was completely the opposite of the evening meal.)

Ballyseede Castle, Tralee, Co. Kerry, +353 (0)66 712 5799 ballyseede@eircom.net; www.ballyseedecastle.com

I found some wonderful gluten-free snacks in some organic shops throughout the country, especially a little shop in Kenmare. (In fact, I brought back a few packs of the most delicious gluten-free coconut macaroons, which the kids were fighting over, and they aren't even on gluten-free diets!)

Finding gluten-free deli/lunch meat was VERY difficult, since many brands contain gluten of some sort. However, it was always easy to find rice cakes, crackers and cheese in supermarkets, so that was my regular lunch menu. along with lots of fruit.

All soda is gluten-free (coke, pepsi, etc) throughout Ireland. Do not eat the bacon or the breakfast sausages. ALL contain gluten.

I lost 1.5 pounds during my 9 days there.

It is the FIRST time I have ever vacationed anywhere without a gluten reaction of any kind. I am thrilled!

Every B&B that I stayed at was able to accommodate for breakfast. One even tried to bake me some 'coeliac' bread, but it turn ou so well, so she didn't want to show it to me. (Hard-boiled eggs, hard cheese, fruit). I took gluten-free Enjoy Life bagels and Foods by george gluten-free english muffins with me from the USA. I also carried 2 big bags of gluten-free pretzels from the USA. I never saw items like that in Irish stores.

Thought this might be helpful if you are traveling to Ireland...

Kathleen

PS I had emailed the Coeliac Society in Ireland before my trip and they gave me a restaurant list and info about foods and brands. They also have a gluten-free food list available for purchase (10 euro), but I didn't need it. Just watch out for wheat starch in the foods labelled "gluten-free"... (over there, they think it's ok to eat it.)