Boyne Valley Flavour's Guide to Shopping Local Part 2
Following on from our Guide to Shopping Local Part 1 where we focused on our producer members in part 2 we have detailed what the restaurants, cafes, hotels, food experiences & markets have to offer across the Boyne Valley.
We all know it's a very difficult time for businesses and how important it is to shop in your local businesses and support Irish businesses wherever possible. Luckily it’s not hard as there are so many fantastic businesses out there.
This is not our Christmas Gift Guide, that will be up here shortly with all our members fantastic Christmas offers.
Boyne Valley Flavour’s Shopping Local Tips
Shop Online
This might seem like an obvious one but you might not know if some of your local businesses have moved online as many have only recently gone online so make sure to check with them to see if they have moved their offering online.
Click & Collect
Or Call & Collect is another service many businesses have started providing that is allowed within the Level 5 restrictions. Again like websites a lot of businesses have only recently started this service so please make sure to check!
Gift Cards & Vouchers
A brilliant way to support businesses in particular restaurants and hotels at the moment. If the business isn’t currently open check their website or social media to find out more.
Spread the Love
This is an easy and free one, if you are a social media user make sure to like and share posts from local businesses and spread the love!
Shop Local
Instead of doing one big supermarket shop if you can, try make it to your butcher, baker and grocer. You will find much fresher, better quality produce and get great advice on what's in season & tips on how to cook it.
Restaurants & Cafes
The last few months have been extremely difficult for all and hospitality providers have been hit very severely between various restrictions and they are really struggling at this point.
However many have fought back and innovated and diversified to offer delicious takeaways and meal kits and all are offering vouchers.
Headfort Arms Hotel
Since the beginning of the Covid situation the team at the Headfort Arms Hotel have been quick to adapt and they have a new plan for the current restrictions so you can still enjoy their famous hospitality and delicious food.
Headfort at Home will be available offering their lovely Autumn Menu and Takeaway Drinks. You can click and collect safely 7 Days a week operating 5-9pm. They have their Takeaway App available for Android and IPhone developed for this time or you can order online at www.headfortarms.ie or simply call on 046.9240063
The Ardboyne, Newgrange and Castle Arch Hotels
The Ardboyne and Newgrange Hotels both in Navan are offering takeaway menus and remain open for essential workers.
The Castle Arch Hotel in Trim will also remain open for essential workers and they are also offering a delicious takeaway menu featuring breakfast, lunch and dinner. Keep an eye on their social media for specials and updates.
Harvest Home Bakery
The Harvest Home Bakery in Trim will be open as usual and continue to provide cakes, breads, pastries, sandwiches, soup, teas and coffees for takeout.
Their online ordering system is up and running and they also offer online ordering for postal delivery, click and collect and local delivery. Browse www.harvesthomebakery.com
Tankardstown House
Tankardstown will remain open for takeaway bringing you their very first 'Brabazon at Home' menu, available for take-away during these same opening times, and local delivery Friday & Saturday 4-9pm.
For further assistance on bookings or any other queries, please email info@tankardstown.ie or call 041 9824621.
Conyngham Arms Hotel
The Conyngham Arms Hotel are collaborating with Tankardstown House's Brabazon Restaurant to bring you a new and improved take-away menu.
This will be available from Conyngham Arms, Friday-Sunday, 12-9pm, and they will also be offering local delivery Friday-Sunday from 4-9pm.
For assistance on future bookings or any other queries, please email info@conynghamarms.ie or call 041 9884444.
Orders can be made on 041 9884444 or info@conynghamarms.ie
Square Restaurant
Square Restaurant, Dundalk is now closed for dinner, but they will be open for takeaway this weekend. Their menu will be posted online and on their social media on Thursdays.
The Spotted Dog
The Spotted Dog will remain open and be offering takeaway. Call 0429355237 or order via #qkangaroo App.
The Bective
The Bective has endeavored to remain open offering a takeaway service 5-9pm Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Their takeout menu Bring Home The Bective will be on their social media and on www.thebective.ie
For enquiries and take away contact Everything@thebective.ie or
046 9247780 after 3pm Wednesday - Sunday.
The Central
The Central in Navan will be remaining opening offering a delicious takeout menu including family meal kits. Book now on https://www.thecentral.ie/bookings/
The Cross Guns Gastropub
The Cross Guns (Currently Closed) will continue to remain open for service offering a takeaway service. Check their social media for menus and opening times.
Simply Honest Cafe
The Simply Honest Cafe will remain open for takeaway.
Earls Kitchen
Earl’s Kitchen will remain open to takeaway.
Bakealicious
Bakeaclicious will remain open offering their takeaway service from The Hatch with menu and online ordering available on http://www.bakealicious.ie/.
They also offer an online ordering service with nationwide delivery. Keep an eye on their social media for updates.
Scholars Townhouse Hotel
Scholars Townhouse Hotel is offering a takeout menu.
Available to order from our coffee van or visit our "order online" section at https://www.scholarshotel.com
Call 0419835410 to preorder
The Glyde Inn
The Glyde Inn has launched a new takeaway service this week in response to the new restrictions. Open for orders from 5pm-8.30pm Saturday and 12pm-7pm Sunday . Call and collect only. No emails or messages please. Call 0429372350 to place your order.
Five Good Things Cafe
Located in the centre of Drogheda on Saint Lawrence’ Street. Right next door to the Highlanes Gallery, and directly across from the credit union.
They are open for takeaway!
The Monasterboice Inn
The much loved Monasterboice Inn is unfortunately still closed however vouchers can be purchased on their website.
MacNamees Tea Rooms
MacNamee’s Tea Rooms are open for takeaway and you will find a delicious selection of freshly prepared food as well as the finest tea and coffees.
The Smugglers Rest
Unfortuantely The Smugglers Rest is currently closed however they are planning a Clogherhead Christmas Market on the 12th December. Vouchers are also available for this much loved neighbourhood venue.
Food Experiences
Unfortunately due to Covid most of the fantastic food experiences which you can enjoy in the Boyne Valley are on hold.
However you can still purchase vouchers for them & what could make a nicer gift than a fabulous food experience to look forward to? A few of our Food Experiences have gone virtual and you can enjoy them from the comfort of your own home!
An Grianán Cookery School
Cookery classes & courses all year round.
Bee Wise Nature Trail
A family fun day around their five acre woodland nature trail. Learn about the flowers & plants that the bees work to produce our honey.
East Coast Cookery School
Run by Cordon Blue-trained chef, Tara Walker, East Coast offers cookery classes for children and adults in a relaxed & fun atmosphere. Tara is currently offering her classes over Zoom!
Farm & Food Experience at Causey Farm
Cook Along with Mrs. Claus
Set up your iPad or Laptop in the kitchen and Mrs. Claus will guide you and your children through this easy to follow recipe & video for some great Christmas fun for the whole family.
Each video will include some personalised sections based on the information which you will provide when booking.
Set in Causey Farm’s iconic parlour, where we all love to see Santa come down the chimney, this is a wonderful chance to relive these magic memories. Sparkles and Santa join Mrs Claus to show your family how to make delicious cookies.
Santa will of course be making an appearance and will have a personalised message for the children watching. The fun of cookie making will make some new Christmas memories for the year that’s in it
Food, Folk & Farming Tour at The Cider Mill
A unique backstage pass into the world of traditional farmhouse cider-making. Experience a live demo at the home of the multiaward-winning Cockagee Irish Keeved Cider.
Ireland’s Ancient East Organic Farm Tour at Rock Farm Slane
Guided tour of the 100% organic farm. Learn what daily life is like on the farm which is home to Dexter cows, Tamworth pigs, vegetable gardens, and eco-glamping accommodation. Bread baking and sample tastings are included.
Farm Tours Ireland
Farm Tours Ireland’s new Boyne Valley Food allows you to experience the best of Ireland’s Ancient East.
Starting from €125pp voucher available on their website
Listoke Distillery & Gin School
Listoke Distillery & Gin School, the first Gin School in Ireland, is a unique experience where we both distil and teach how to make gin. Take a tour of our distillery, see the botanicals used in production, learn how to distil. Enjoy some local produce and take your own blend of Gin home! Vouchers & gin available to purchase on their online shop!
Meet the Cheesemaker at Mullagha Goat Farm
Meet Michael and Jenny Finegan and 400 adorable goats on Mullagha Farm, which dates back to 1510 and is built on the foundations of an original iron age fort. Learn the farm history, what modern daily life is like and taste their award-winning Boyne Valley Blue Cheese.
New Barn Farm & The Donkey Shed Restaurant
The Open Farm gives visitors a chance to meet their farm animals. You will be able to thank their chickens for their delicious eggs and meet Neddy and Danny, their donkeys, who are always ready to welcome visitors, especially those bringing carrots. Neddy and Danny used to live in the ‘Donkey Shed’, but kindly agreed to relocate when we decided to convert it to a restaurant.
The Farmshop is currently open and they also stock Christmas trees!
Rachel Graham Nutrition
Enjoy one of Rachel’s many medicinal cooking workshops where you will learn and understand how to make better food choices.
Her workshops are for specific health conditions i.e. gut health, and include fermentation, sourdough making, vegan cooking and more. Rachel has moved her classes to a virtual format so you can still experience her workshops.
Slane Food Circle Tour – Ireland’s Ancient East Tour
You’ll meet four producers, visit their working farms and get a unique glimpse into how they rear, grow or make their own produce, making surprising use of ancient techniques! Includes tastings of the produce and a Slane Food Circle platter at the end.
Slane Whiskey Distillery Tour
A guided tour through the authentic working distillery. Visitors are taken through the entire whiskey making process, learning about the incredible heritage of the buildings and their expertise in raising barrels and coopering along the way. The tour culminates with a tasting of their signature triple casked Slane Irish Whiskey. Irish Coffee Class and Whiskey Cocktail.
Unglu-d Gluten Free Classes
Come and join Unglu-d where you will learn the basics and the not so basics of
gluten-free cooking. Owner Aileen is a coeliac so understands the challenges of adapting to a gluten-free diet. Aileen will be joined by well known cooks, chefs, and GF experts for each class.
Aileen has moved her classes to Zoom so you can still partake in this experience.