'Mums' The Word!

It's Mother's day this Sunday! We've got the perfect gift idea....................The Castle Hotel Gift Card - valid for use in all areas of the hotel; from cafe to bar & restaurant and even our Leisure Club and Holistic Therapy Suite. Our chef is currently putting the final touches to his Mother's Day Lunch Menu...............make you lunch booking today!

'Seachtain Na Gaeilge'

Paddy's Week is 'Seachtain Na Gaeilge' at The Castle Hotel!...Ma dheanann tu do gno tri Gaeilge i rith Seachtain na Gaeilge beidh laghdu 10% as do bheile! (Cursa 'Mor' Amhain)..........(This offer is valid to March 16th only)

Macroom has a very exciting program of activities planned for The St Patrick's Day Celebrations. Great plans are again in the pipeline for the celebration of our national festival in Macroom. While St. Patrick’s Day, Thursday, March 17, will be the focal point, aweek of fun and events is planned for the entertainment of locals and overseasvisitors. The Parade is scheduled for 3.30p.m. and will feature all the Disney characters. Bands from Philadelphia, Bandon, Ballingeary, Cullen and Mayfield will keep feet tapping. Our own All Ireland Champions, Fintan Goold and Sean Kiely are 2011 Parade Grand Marshals. An Artand Craft fair and Fireworks are other welcome features and the Pot Belly Folk Groupwill entertain in the Castle Hotel from 9.30p.m.

Lee Valley residents who cannot be in Macroom on St. Patrick’s Day because they are in distant lands or in other parts of Ireland may join in the celebrations courtesy of a webcam broadcast which beams the Macroom Parade and events live on http://www.macroom.ie/

Castle Hotel's Pat Ryan's 'Easy' Pancakes!

It's Pancake Tuesday! Here's our head chef Pat Ryan's guide to quick and easy pancakes!

Ingredients:

1 large egg, 5 teaspoons sugar, 1 1/3 cups milk, 1 cup flour, 3/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil (optional)

Directions:

1.In a bowl or mixing jug, whisk together egg, sugar and half of milk (2/3 cup).

2. Add the flour and mix throughly.

3. Then add remaining milk (2/3 cup) and baking powder. It should be the consistency of thick cream.

4. (Optional): Add 1-1/2 tsp oil if you have trouble with sticking.

5. Beat until smooth.

6. Pour about a soup spoon sized amount onto a pre-heated lightly greased frying pan or griddle (You will need to start about medium high heat but after a few rounds you will need to drop it back to medium).

7. Flip with a spatula when the top is all bubbly (should be a lovely golden colour), and cook the other side (~45 seconds/side depending on stovetop).

8. Remove from pan and pile up on a plate (cover with a paper towel until served).

9. Serve with whatever you like and enjoy.