Local Treasures

As part of our Local Treasures competition, we received many entries from readers, which we hope to share over the coming weeks as lockdown means we are back to exploring what is on our doorstep; this week, Christina Flynn nominates The Warren Way in Castleconnor, Co Sligo.

The Warren Way – a woodland walk – was originally used to cart goods on the River Moy. This is a beautiful walk, quite short, but with a variety of habitats to be observed along the way.

“As you begin your walk, your ear becomes attuned to the tinkling of a hidden stream on your left. This increases in volume the further you go and adds to the serenity and peace as you amble along. Eventually, you become aware you can no longer hear it and as you begin to wonder why, you round a bend and catch a glimpse of a large body of water through the trees. Suddenly, the woodland thins and you just stand in awe to admire the majestic River Moy, slowing now, as it meanders to meet the North Atlantic Ocean a short distance away. Barely a ripple mars its smooth surface, although you know it is teeming with the famous Moy salmon.

“It is a beautiful walk, enjoyed best at a slow pace in order to observe the various flora and fauna all around and to bask in the tranquility of this rural area.

“The Warren Way was named after Robert Warren, born in Cork in 1829. He came to live in Moyview, Enniscrone in 1851. He studied bird life on the Moy estuary and nearby Bartra Island until his death in 1915 and co-authored a book, Birds of Ireland, with RJ Usher in 1890.”

Chef Hanine’s tips

These dark, chilly evenings leave many of us craving comforting sweets. I personally love a soft, chewy cookie with a hot cup of tea, but I don’t always like making an entire batch at once.

If you have the space, cookies freeze really well – whether they’re baked (just defrost before eating) or not. For cookie dough balls, cream 250g soft butter with 375g light brown sugar. Add one egg and a splash of vanilla, then sift over 200g plain flour, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp baking soda.

Add fillings of your choice: chocolate, raisins, oatmeal, dried cranberries or nuts, then scoop even amounts of dough onto a lined baking sheet. Freeze these on the sheet before transferring to a plastic freezer bag. You can bake one or two at a time, from frozen, whenever the mood strikes!

Picture of the week

Quack-quack: Abigail Carter (3) taking in the view at Donadea Forest Park, Kildare. \ Una O'Neill

Instagram inspiration: Patricia EArle

@thecraftingfarmer

When she’s not busy on the family dairy farm in west Wicklow, you’ll find Patricia Earle making beautiful hand crocheted and knitted items over @thecraftingfarmer

This start-up specialises in sustainable pieces that are an antidote to today’s throwaway culture; think reusable crocheted face scrubbies for your make-up routine, cotton cloths and soap savers, as well as hand-knitted baby cardigans and decorative garlands in an ever-growing range, available to buy online on Etsy.

Tweet of the week