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 The Gourmet Greenway, Mayo’s only food trail, celebrated its first birthday this week with the announcement of six new members – almost doubling its size - and the welcome news that the initiative has contributed over €1million to the local economy. At a special birthday dinner at Mulranny Park Hotel, attended by Sunday Independent food writer Lucinda O’Sullivan, six new members were announced, bringing the Gourmet Greenway membership to 13 – almost double since its launch.
The new entries are: Murrevagh Honey (Mulranny); Greenway Farm (Newport); An Port Mór (Westport); Newport House (Newport); The Gráinne Uaile (Newport) and Rua/Café Rua (Castlebar).
Murrevagh Honey is a hand-harvested honey produced in Mulranny using nectar from Mulranny Mediterranean heather and fuchsia in the Murrevagh area.
Greenway Farm in Newport provides high quality fruit and vegetables using natural, chemical-free methods.
An Port Mór restaurant in Westport, the historic Newport House, Newport’s Gráinne Uaile family pub and twin eateries Rua & Café Rua, in Castlebar, all share a philosophy of using seasonal, local and artisan produce.
The new Gourmet Greenway members join existing participants: Kelly’s Butchers, Keem Bay Fish Products, Achill Island Turbot, Carrowholly Cheese, Curran Blue Trout Farm and Croagh Patrick Seafoods in a collective that features some of the most distinguished food producers and providers in the country.
Curraun Blue Trout Farm is Ireland’s only organically sea farmed trout, Achill Island Turbot is the country’s only turbot farm and Sean Kelly of Kelly’s Butcher’s is the first-ever Irish member of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Goute-Boudin (The Black Pudding Fraternity of Lovers of Good Food).
Devised by Mulranny Park Hotel – the only hotel located on the Greenway - to highlight the great food producers near to and along the route of the Great Western Greenway, the Gourmet Greenway has received a string of plaudits since its launch a year ago. The Taoiseach praised its efforts to “provide a boost to local businesses”.
Bridgestone Guide publisher John McKenna described it as “inspired, imaginative and authentic”, the Examiner dubbed it “an innovative tourism-focused collaboration” and the Irish Times said the initiative “brings together the Greenway walking and cycling trail and the stunning food that’s produced along or near its scenic route”.
Tom Dougherty of Curraun Blue Trout Farm and one of the Gourmet Greenway members says the food trail has been a boon for business. “Being a member of the Gourmet Greenway has been of great benefit to us as a small independent producer. The initiative has highlighted, nationally and internationally how we work using traditional and sustainable farming methods within our business. The food trail has brought great business benefits in the last year and we are delighted to be involved”, he commented.
The new-edition Gourmet Greenway guide featuring a map, information and contact details for all 13 members – including GPS coordinates – is available from Mulranny Park Hotel, tourism offices, food producers and select retail outlets.
Click here to view Gourmet Greenway guide online.
Article via Mayo Today
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