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Well, who wouldn’t love a short break in beautiful County Wicklow….? And not just anywhere, but somewhere that’s not only brilliantly located and superbly comfortable but - as winner of the Best Supporter Of Irish Food & Drink Producers 2024, sponsored by Bord Bia in our recent Irish Food & Hospitality Awards - sure to be an exceptional experience on the food and drink front too. And so to The Coach House in Roundwood, big sister to the lovely Roundwood Stores, which has been synonymous with all things delicious since 2021 when Simon Pratt, his wife Monique and two former Avoca associates opened this delightfully mindful little bakery, shop and café - and it soon became the area’s go-to place to pick up some quality groceries, or have a casual bite of something seasonally more-ish. So there was delight a-plenty when they bought the 1820s coaching house next door two years later – and even more when the old pub re-opened, initially as a weekend bar/restaurant and then as a real inn, offering delightful accommodation as well as excellent food and drink – including a delicious breakfast served at the Roundwood Stores café. Both have support for Irish producers at their heart and, while their policy statement is not long or complicated, it explains the well-recognised Pratt ethos succinctly – and the experience itself does the talking. Chef Ciaran Kiely (Avoca aluminus) offers a number of seasonal menus - pub, restaurant (lunch and dinner), kids - all generously sprinkled with credits to local and other Irish suppliers, and each kicking off with their glorious 48-hour sourdough (also available in the shop if you are quick enough), served with deep yellow butter and a more-ish seasonal dip. Ah, what a way to start a very good meal where everything tastes of itself...If only every town in Ireland had a place like this.
The lucky winner of this free competition will have a short break for two people sharing (subject to availability), to include:
