Mum's The Word - Or is it?

Historically in our greeting messages, mothers were generally referred to as 'Mam', and sometimes 'Ma'. Most of us now call our mothers 'Mum' and 'Mom'. We also hear the occasional as gaeilge greeting -'Mamaí'.

But what do the rest of the world call their mothers?

UK - Mum
United States - Mom
Australia - Mum
France - Maman (silent n)
Germany - Mutter
Italy - Mamma
Spain - Mama
Arabic - Mama
Hebrew - Imma
China - Ma Ma
Japan - Okaasan

But no matter how you call your mother, this Mother’s Day, make sure you show her how much you appreciate her. In any language!

Castle Hotel Gift Cards - The perfect present and valid for use in all areas of the hotel; Dan Buckley's Bar, B's Restaurant, Next Door Cafe & Leisure Club. Buy online or pop into the hotel!


Happy Mother's Day!

29 Reasons!

February 29th, a day that's added to the month of February almost every four years—that is, every leap year—to keep the modern calendar in line with the celestial cycles that frame it.
But where did leap year come from? How does it work? And have other cultures, with their own systems for tracking time, needed to use it, too? The short answer is: Yes. Think of leap year as the little trick the world uses to make up for lost time.

Ever felt you also need to make up for lost time?

Well, here's 29 Reasons to make a LEAP for it and take that well earned break away in Macroom!

1. Catch a show at the Briery Gap our local theatre http://www.brierygap.com/

2. Learn a new skill, waterskiing at Carrig Waterski and Wakeboard centre. Located in the picturesque Lee Valley, this hidden gem will truly give you an unforgettable experience and whatever level of ability, you are guaranteed a great day out.

3. Visit Millstreet Country Park home to archaeological sites, sensory gardens, deer farms and much more… about 30 mins from the hotel http://www.millstreetcountypark.com/

4. Take a trip to Clonakilty's Model Railway Village for a fun and memorable day out in West Cork. Walking into the model village you step back in time and see life as it was in the 1940's.

5. Fill you picnic basket with fine food like olives, feta cheese, home made bread and sun dried tomatoes and head to Gougane Barra the source of The Lee, St. Finbarr’s Hermitage, fishing, boating walks and much more.

6. Visits Ireland's only Toy Soldier Factory at 'Prince August'.

7. Take a trip to Sherkin Island by ferry from Baltimore. Easy to explore on foot and home to the safest, sandiest beaches in the area.

8. Bring the kids for a day out to Fota Wildlife Park and be greeted by giraffes, cheetahs, monkeys and flamingos… and the occasional grown-up too! http://www.fotawildlife.ie/

9. Hop on The Cable Car to Dursey Island, connected to the mainland of the Beara Penninsula and hosting some spectacular views.

10. Learn the skills of fly angling in the beautiful scenic and peaceful surrounds of the Lee Valley. The Sullane, Foherish and Lee Rivers provide the perfect fly angling conditions. Get to know all the good spots and best techniques with an Irish Champion at your side, Denis Cronin.

11. Take an historic stroll around the Bealick Mill a 19th century cornmill, beautifully restored, famine exhibition, local records – don’t forget our beautiful authentic pubs!

12. Millstreet & The Green Glens Arena, Located only 12 miles from The Castle Hotel, it is an ideal concert & events venue with acts like Westlife and Disney on Ice held there on a regular basis.

13. 1922 – step back in History and visit Beal na Blath – site of Michael Collins shooting in 1922.

14. The other Castle – explore Macroom Castle, a 13th century stronghold of the O’Flynns, Lords of Muskery.

15. Visit the famous Blarney Castle. Each year thousands of visitors from all over the world come to "... Kiss the Blarney Stone ..." ; in so doing people hope to gain the elusive gift of eloquence.

16. We can provide a walking guide, Catherine Ketch of Lee Valley Walking, an expert in Guided walks in South West Ireland. Lee Valley Walking is based in between Ballyvourney and Macroom in one of West Cork's most unspoilt and rural regions. Local knowledge and specialist information on environment, history, geography and archaeology will be provided.

17. Spend a day in nearby Kinsale, harbour town home to many great shops, restaurants and bars.

18. Pets from fur to feather, indoors and outdoors, ready to be Cuddled, fed and admired at Kennedy's Pet Farm.

19. A statutory Nature Reserve, The Gearagh, represents the remains of the last Post-Glacial Alluvial Rain Forest found in Western Europe, which was formed at the end of the Ice Age. Over one hundred species of flowers, plants and ferns to be found here.

20. Check out Killarney's Muckross House or the beautiful Torc Waterfall.

21. Excellent array of special value packages available online at http://www.castlehotel.ie/

22. Saturday night Live Music in Dan Buckley's Bar from 10pm!

23. All our guests may enjoy full free use of our Extensive Award Winning Leisure Centre.

24. Take a while deserved treat in our Holistic Therapy Suite!

25. Take your 'pet' away!

26. Recently engaged and planning a wedding? We have over 60 years in Wedding Experience and are located only 30 minutes from Gougane Barra Church.

27. We are the holders of a Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Award For 2012!

28. Recommended by Georgina Campbell Jameson Guide.

29. Member of Irish Country Hotels .

Lovingly Created For You!

Our head chef Pat Ryan has been very busy, carefully and lovingly creating his Valentine's Menu for B's Restaurant. It is available on February 10th, 11th and 14th.

SAMPLE VALENTINE'S DINNER

APPETISERS

Tiger Prawns in Chilli & Garlic Oil
Cream of Tomato & Basil Soup with Crisp Croutons
Union Hall Seafood Chowder
Duo of Pineapple and Melon served with Mango & Passionfruit Sorbet
Golden Fried St. Brendan’s Brie With a Shot of Berry Coulis
West Cork Artisan Tapas Plate

MAIN COURSES

10oz Sirloin Steak with Fried Onions and Creamed Champ Potato,with Brandy-flavoured Peppercorn Sauce
Marinated Chicken Skewers with Tumeric-flavoured RiceAnd Thai Green Curry Sauce
Rack of Canovee Lamb with Boxty Potato Cake Served with an Onion & Thyme Sauce
Baked Fillets of West Cork Hake presented on a Bed of Creamed Spinach Served with a Champagne Sauce
Roast Prime Muskerry Beef with Red Onion Confit And Balsamic Jus
Teriyaki Salmon with Oriental Vegetables & Noodles
Baked Aubergine Spinach & Coolea Cheese With Tomato & Basil Sauce

DESSERTS

Luscious Banoffi Pie
Fresh Strawberry Shortbread With Wild Berry Coulis
Valentines Chocolate Fudge PuddingWith Rich Belgian Chocolate Sauce
‘Cupid Dessert Plate’ for Two
Caramel Ice-Cream with BananasAnd Butterscotch Sauce
Plate of West Cork Farmhouse Cheese & Crackers

€37.50

'Tying The Knot'?

Just recently engaged and planning a wedding? Thinking of a winter wonderland theme, or a Summer Fiesta? The options are endless and you'll have fun planning every last detail!

Traditionally tying the knot was thought to literally mean; 'He has tied a knot with his tongue, that he cannot untie with his teeth: i.e. he is married!" (Francis Grose 1811). We prefer to think of it as a unifying bond, interlaced with love!

At The Castle Hotel. 'We Love Weddings' and we understand just how important that occasion is to you and your guests. That's why on February 19th 2012, will be hosting a "Wedding Afternoon".

View our boutique Ardilaun Wedding Suite and the intimate and very popular B’s Private Dinning Suite. Open from 3 – 6pm and admission on the day is complimentary!

In addition to the banqueting rooms being dressed, you will have the opportunity to meet with our wedding specialists, who are here to give advice and tips on how to have your perfect wedding. On the day our Head Chef Pat Ryan will be on hand to discuss his wedding menus and assist in creating your dream meal!

Pop in for a peep or sit down one to one with our very experienced wedding team and receive expert advice and opinion!

We really look forward to meeting you on the day!

A Toast to Tapas!

Our Taste of West, North & Mid Cork Tapas Platter

Who doesn't love tapas? They are the ideal, chilled out , perfect for entertaining dish, fit for any occasion. But where did this delectable dish come from and gain such popularity?

Tapas are Spain's greatest food invention. "Eat when you drink, drink when you eat" is the philosophy. Spanish men traditionally drink outside the home and rarely alone. They are not meant to be a meal (although a ración is a substantial portion). One tapa per person and a different one with each drink is the idea, then everyone enjoys tasting and sharing. Tapas food is real food - good local ingredients presented with flair.


Here at the Castle Hotel Macroom, we too offer a deliciously unique tapas platter, involving local ingredients from the finest producers in our locality.


Jack McCarthy’s of Kanturk Black Pudding
When Queen Elizabeth visited Ireland in 2011, McCarthy’s black pudding was served at the state banquet. It was chosen because of the quality and flavour imparted by the fresh blood from free range pigs, Macroom Pinhead Oatmeal, fresh cream and butter from North Cork Dairy and Midelton Special Reserve Whiskey.

Follain Chutney
Based in Coolea, Macroom, Co. Cork, making Fresh Fruit Preserves, Marmalades, Jams, Relishes, Salsas and Chutneys. They create these delicious products from 100% natural ingredients. They also avoid the use of any obscure flavourings, additives or preservatives common to so many of prepared foods on the market today. A 100-year old Irish recipe, passed on through several generations, was the secret to Folláin’s first product, a chunky Grapefruit Marmalade which was launched back in 1983.


Coolea Farmhouse Cheese
Coolea Cheese is made from a very old Dutch Gouda recipe. Using high quality pasteurised cows milk, Coolea Cheese is ripened to a minimum of two months. It's texture is semi-hard to hard, when matured up to 18 months it’s taste becomes sweet, almost toffee like. Coolea Cheese is now sold all over Ireland, the United Kingdom, Wales, Scotland and their cheese mongers distribute the cheese all over the world.

Ardrahan farm House Cheese
handmade by Mary Burns at Ardrahan House Kanturk Co. Cork. This mature cheese exhibits all the classic characteristics of A farmhouse semi soft cheese. Its' pronounced aroma indicates maturity and correct development.

Macroom Oatmeal
This is used to make our adored brown soda loaf here in the Castle Hotel. It is stoned ground from freshly roasted oats and manufactured at Walton's Mill Macroom Co. Cork. Macroom oatmeal is favoured by highly acclaimed food Critics and chefs such as Darina & Myrtle Allen of Ballymaloe House and John & Sally Mckenna of the Bridgestone Guide to Good Food.

Gubbeen Chorizo Provensal
Artison made by Fingal Ferguson, using only quality ingredients, time and care - a marriage of traditional and modern flavours. This is produced in Schull Co. Cork Ireland.

Toonsbridge Mozzarella

Ireland's only buffalo mozzarella producer resides in the west cork area of Toonsbridge, just outside Macroom. Johnny Lynch's creamery is the place where this delicious, mouth watering soft cheese is produced, along with the help of cheesemaker Sean Ferry and Toby Simmonds of the Real Olive Company.

Pop in and enjoy our "Taste of West, Mid & North Cork Tapas Platter" in our award winning Dan Buckley's Bar and let your taste buds be tantalised!

Staycation with us!

With all the talk about “Staycations” in the press these days, We here at the Castle Hotel thought it would be appropriate to shed light on the many wonderful sites that the surrounding areas of the hotel have to offer to visitors of our wonderful region.

Using the Castle Hotel as the base for your “Staycation” allows you to enjoy an array of historical sites and events that are occurring in the area. Below are samples of the various places and things to do while spending your holiday with us:

Summer Walking Weekends
Walking is the perfect way to explore the Lee Valley. Encircled by the Shehy, Derrynasaggart and Boggeragh Mountains there are miles of wonderful walking with stories to be told.

We offer a fantastic walking package which includes 2 nights luxurious accommodation, 1 evening meal & complimentary use of The Leisure Club to ease out those tired limbs!

The next available Walking Weekend Dates are: August 12-14 and September 16-18.The weekends will consist of three walks:

Friday evening: 8.00-9.00pm: Introductory tour of Macroom by streetlight: See where Art O Leary met his love Eibhla­n Dubh Na­ Chonaill and where William Penn lived.

Saturday: 9.00 - 4.00pm: The Paps. This twin-peaked mountain is dedicated to the Tuatha de Danaan Goddess, Dana or Anu and is a focal point of Celtic spirituality. This is a lovely climb with ascent from 200m to 694m. 6-7 miles.

Sunday: 9.00 - 12.00pm: A trek in the post glacial oak forest of the Gearagh near Macroom town with information on its formation, special habitat characteristics and human story.

Catherine Ketch of Lee Valley Walking has been running guided tours and walks in the Macroom area for the past ten years. A trained local guide she has an MA in Geography as well as a keen interest in local history and environment. Route may change due to weather conditions. For further details on the walks contact Lee Valley Walking.

Price: From €189 pp
Enquiry here!

Fill your picnic basket at Macroom Market with fine food like olives, feta cheese, home made bread and sun dried tomatoes and head to Gougane Barra the source of The Lee, St. Finbarr’s Hermitage, fishing, boating walks and much more.

Take a trip to Sherkin Island by ferry from Baltimore. Easy to explore on foot and home to the safest, sandiest beaches in the area.

Hop on The Cable Car to Dursey Island, connected to the mainland of the Beara Penninsula and hosting some spectacular views.

Take the scenic route from Kenmare and onwards to Glengarriff & Tropical Garnish Island.
Killarney, a host of opportunites await, including Muckross House, Torc Waterfall, The Sparkling Lakes & National Park.

A statutory Nature Reserve, The Gearagh, represents the remains of the last Post-Glacial Alluvial Rain Forest found in Western Europe, which was formed at the end of the Ice Age. There are over one hundred species of flowers, plants and ferns to be found here. Opened May 2009, new Bird Observation Tower.

Catch a show at the Briery Gap our local theatre. Have a look at the exciting line up for the next few weeks:
Louise Morrissey and her Band

Tickets €20

*************
Musiclee presents on
Thursday 21st July @ 8.30 pm

Folk the Recession

Bringing together five of Ireland's top folk acts Eleanor Shanley,Séamus Begley, Frankie Lane,
Mick Hanly & Paul Kelly for an exceptional evening of music, story and song.

Tickets €20

*************

Friday 22nd July @ 8.30 pm

Liam Lawton

Tickets €20

Learn To Water Ski!

Carrig Water Ski and Wakeboard Centre will provide all equipment necessary - wetsuits, skis and buoyancy aids - along with top class coaching whether you are a beginner or an experienced skier. They have 2 purpose built Ski Nautique 196 boats and a fantastic lake to provide you with an unforgettable experience as part of your visit. Ladies and gents shower facilities are available on site as are bbq and kitchen facilities if required. Ample car parking available, wheelchair friendly and have beautiful viewing areas complete with picnic tables for use by all visitors.

We have a fantastic package available- enjoy 2 nights Bed & Traditional Country Breakfast, 1 Dinner for two and learn to water ski from €155 pp!

Enquire Here!

There are plenty of things to see and do in our area so why not come and visit us and experience for yourself!

http://www.castlehotel.ie/

" Celebrating 60 years in business"

Daddy Cool !!!

"Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad."

This Father's Day, forget buying your dad the usual gift of a new pair of socks and instead spoil him with a Castle Hotel Diamond Card. This gift card is the ideal present and valid for use in all areas of the hotel; from cafe to bar & restaurant and even our Leisure Club and Holistic Therapy Suite.

We are looking forward to welcoming all those who have booked lunch and dinner with us but if you haven't and wish to do so give us a call at 02641074!