Monks miners megaliths and more in Mannings Culture Kitchen experience

BY JACKIE KEOGH

A NEW marketing initiative that will showcase the best of West Cork’s food and cultural treasures is about to have its ‘soft’ launch.

Andrew Heath of Manning’s Food Emporium fame and Áine Brosnan – who is an archaeologist with a passion for West Cork’s pre-history – have teamed up to form ‘Culture Kitchen’.

‘With my background in food and degree in Tourism Management and Áine’s abiding interest in the history, culture and archaeology of West Cork, we thought it would be a good idea to arrange special guided tours for discerning visitors,’ said Andrew.

‘In the coming weeks three specialist tours that will feature the best that Bantry, the Sheep’s Head Peninsula and the Beara Peninsula has to offer, will be tried and tested as part of the project’s soft launch. ‘You’ve heard of off-Broadway, but this concept is off the Wild Atlantic Way,’ said Andrew.

‘As brilliant as the Wild Atlantic Way is for the entire western seaboard, we wanted to offer visitors a chance to have an experience, go on a journey, and make a discovery. It really is a case of seeing more by seeing less.’

St Patrick’s Day has been set as the target date for the official launch of the new tourism project, which will offer three special ‘Culture Kitchen’ tours that will include (1) Ballylickey, Borlin and Bullocks; (2) monks, miners and megaliths on the Sheep’s Head Peninsula; and (3) pirates, pioneers and panorama on the Beara Peninsula.

The tours will also draw on the vast knowledge and experience of Val Manning, one of the original food ambassadors of West Cork who single-handedly turned Manning’s Emporium into a tourism destination in its own right.

Andrew Heath and Laura at Manning’s Emporium in Ballylickey.