Enjoy
The first of the festivities at the Winter Woodland Wonder Experience, set to begin in Castlecomer Discovery Park this Saturday, 21 November. Set among 80 acres of winter woodlands, Lapland comes to life in the grounds of one of Kilkenny’s top visitor destinations. Enjoy the cosy surroundings of Mrs Claus’s sitting room before meeting Santa. After this, the sights and sounds of Christmas will come to life as you embark on a journey through the natural winter wonder woodlands via the Lapland Express. With a complementary hot chocolate or mulled wine, visitors will also have the opportunity to submit their Magic Memories of Christmas to be in with a chance to win a luxury Irish family break away. Running until Christmas Eve, tickets for children are €17 and adults €10.
To book, visit www.discoveryparkchristmas.com
Catch
Some of the most popular European films that rarely show in Irish cinemas at the SUBTITLE European Film Ferstival in Kilkenny City this week. Full of provocative, funny, accessible and smart films, the festival invites you to see cinema in a whole new way. Many of the films in the SUBTITLE programme have never been screened theatrically in Ireland. Festival goers will get to see a number of Irish film premieres too. Taking place 23-29 November in various venues across Kilkenny City, this festival is not to be missed by lovers of the big screen.
Visit www.subtitlefest.com for the full programme of events.
Eat
Freshly-baked organic bread and pastries alongside a signature selection of tartines at Le Pain Quotidien, which opened its first Irish restaurant at Kildare Village earlier this month. The restaurant is demonstrating its support to Irish suppliers and its commitment to local, fresh produce with its menu. The menu boasts organic Irish stout and beef stew served with creamy champ alongside favourites such as Irish smoked salmon and Parmesan frittata, the chicken caesar brioche bun and classic winter warmer coq au vin. Try an array of seasonal specials, including a vibrant beetroot hummus, roasted pear, chicken and Cashel Blue toasted tartine or organic chicken and vegetable cocotte with homemade soda bread.
Visit www.lepainquotidien.ie for full menu and prices.
Watch
Cook Eat Burn, the new six-part cookery series from Donal Skehan, which makes its debut on RTÉ One this Friday, 20 November at 7.30pm. Learn how to cook healthy, delicious recipes designed to help us become more active, fuel fitness activities, and even embark on adventure sports. Every week, Donal is accompanied by Dr Brendan Egan, an expert in sport and exercise science from UCD. Throughout the series, Donal travels to some of Ireland’s most stunning locations including the Greenway in Mayo, Carrauntoohil in Kerry and the Causeway Coast in North Antrim. In the first programme, Donal tackles Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil. The featured recipes are gluten-free pancakes, super power chilli with charred corn salsa, and roast squash salad.
Laugh
Along to one of Ireland’s most popular comedians, Des Bishop, as he takes to the stage at the Hawk’s Well in Sligo next Friday, 27 November. The fantasy of everlasting youth died with Des’s last purchase of Just for Men over a year ago. Now embracing the grey, Des tackles the issues confronting him these days: returning to live in New York, other people’s kids, gender equality, the dangers of Snapchat, dating a Chinese woman, and the prospect of reaching 40.
Tickets cost €25. Contact the box office on 071-916.1518 or book online at www.hawkswell.com