Wiccle Site News

McCambridge's: Store / Easter Egg Basket

2012-03-30T09:47:01-04:00

Easter Egg Basket €35

McCambridge's Easter Egg Large
Gallaghers Irish Caramels 100g
Butlers Irish Chocolates 125g
Pandora praline filled real egg shell
Cocoabean Chocolate with Irish Honey 100g

McCambridge's: Links / Wiccle CMS

2012-02-29T06:01:58-05:00

McCambridge's: Links / Six Degrees Marketing

2012-02-29T05:58:54-05:00

We are an innovative design and marketing company who specialise in Small and Medium-sized businesses. Our work includes: Web Design, Digital Media, SEO, Marketing, Advertising, Branding, Social Media, Training and Graphic Design

McCambridge's: Blogs / Stevia - natural low calorie sweetner

2012-02-20T07:01:00-05:00

New to the shop is a product produced by Whole Earth Sweetener called Pure Via. It is a new natural sweetener containing stevia plant extract. It is very low calorie, just 2 calories per spoonful. I did get a few queries about availability of Stevia last year, but it was only approved for use in food in Europe in November 2011.

Stevia comes from the stevia plant often called sweet leaf or sugar leaf, which is most widely grown in South America. It has been used there as a sweetener for hundreds of years and has been used in Japan in particular for 30 years or more. Apparently approval has been slow to come for general use in Europe because of its use in traditional medicine as a treatment for diabetes and to reduce blood pressure. However studies have shown little effect on blood sugar levels or blood sugars so it has been given approval for the use in general foods.

Dried stevia is really sweet (300 times sweeter than sugar) so Pur Via is produced by mixing stevia with a bulking agent to reduce sweetness and make it easier to use. It can be used in hot drinks, sprinkled over fruit or cereal as well as for cooking and baking.

I am not a big sugar person, but I tried it in natural yogurt. It is more of a powder than crystals, and the sweetness is a bit slower to develop in the mouth. But it certainly took the bitter edge off the yogurt and it doesn’t leave any aftertaste. If you like your tea sweet this will certainly work, and keep you skinny!

McCambridge's: News / Bridgestone Guide 2012 - recommends McCambridge's

2012-02-06T05:29:28-05:00

We are delighted to be once again included in the Bridgestone guide to Irish Restaurants. The highlighted link will bring you to the Bridgestone website where you can read the recommendation.

www.bestofbridgestone.com/recommendations/mccambridges-galway

McCambridge's: Blogs / Connaught/Ulster Off-licence of year 2011

2012-01-13T08:08:20-05:00

I am going to blow our trumpet a bit here… We have just been awarded the Noffla off-licence of the year 2011 for Connaught/Ulster. We are delighted with the award; see Eoin’s grinning face in the photo. If you haven’t heard of it, Noffla is the National Off-licence Association which represents independent off-licences all around the country. The association does lots of things, but one of their big initiatives is their annual awards. For the competition we undergo two rounds of judging, based on overall appearance, hygiene, product range, customer service and product knowledge, and a final blind tasting of 8 wines. Eoin was our blind taster this year and did a great job.

I am so pleased that we have got the thumbs up on what we are working to achieve. Customer service and product knowledge are two of our corner stone’s in the shop, and we are constantly working on improving both. Roll on next year’s awards where we will be aspiring to be National off-licence of the year.

McCambridge's: News / Galway Advertiser Article 1st December 2011

2011-12-06T05:05:04-05:00

McCambridges food and wine fair displays the goodies that are available on our own doorstep

Galway Advertiser, December 01, 2011.

By Meghann Scully

Last Thursday the Salthill Hotel was a taste for the senses as McCambridge’s on Shop Street celebrated its eighth annual Food and Wine Fair. Proceeds raised on the evening all went to a local charity and national schools. The function room was a myriad of tasty treats, heart warming snacks, award winning artisan produce, sweet delicacies and rich wines from some 40 award winning food and wine producers, many of whome are from the immediate Galway area.

McCambridges was first established in 1925 by George Mc Cambridge who fled Belfast from the Black and tans. After working in Powells at the Four Corners for some time, George began leasing a building and selling products. That business grew from strength to strength and soon became one of Galway’s most prestigious food and wine stores.

As the business was handed down through the generations it saw great changes. It once had a pub which eventually led to Galway’s first off-licence. It began importing wine from France in 1969 and continues to do so today. The family business is now run by George’s grandchildren — Eoin is the managing director while Natalie runs the off-licence, Norma is the project manager.

They annually succumb to the desire to share their wonderful goods with their customers by holding a food and wine fair. Now in its eighth year running, the fair celebrates local, national and international products and has established itself as one of Galway’s most highly esteemed social events.

The atmosphere in the hotel reflected that of a Christmas party with the joyful buzz of people chatting and tasting food. Upon entry traditional musicians set the scene of a fun filled social evening. Attendees were given the chance of winning one of McCambridge’s renowned Christmas hampers filled with home-made goodies before entering the festive room.

Although the night began the Christmas season it also highlighted a very worthy charity ‘Hand in Hand’ Children’s cancer charity for the west. ‘Hand in Hand’ is a non profit organisation that provides support to families in the west of Ireland who are affected by childhood cancer. This amazing charity provides support to families and siblings with a sick child, cleaning and laundry services, as well as meal deliveries. The service gives families that precious time to tend to their sick son or daughter.

Aside from providing much needed funds to ‘Hand in Hand’, the night also supported local national schools which sold tickets. Schools such as Dominican College, St. Mary's College, Galway Educate Together, Scoil Iognáid, Gael Scoil Mhic Amhlaigh, and Coláiste Iognaid were the lucky sellers of the tasty food and wine fair tickets.

Although the event was for over 18s, it was a warm, friendly, environment for parents and families to come and socialise, with some of the finest home-made foods and wines, illustrating perfectly the range and choice that is available locally, negating the need for people to leave Galway to find food to satisfy even the most demanding of palates.

The producers all had warm welcomes and were delighted to have the public taste their hand crafted delicacies. By 6.30 the room was filled as people tasted the foods and wines and chatted to suppliers.

Among the stall holders were Irish cheese makers, farmers, cake bakers and even the French made an appearance with the finest pastries. There was a stand with a variety of cupcakes that varied from sweet to savoury. Some products on display were first produced in the 1800s.

There were nine wine exhibitors and 54 wines to sample. The aroma from the white wines was bursting with fruity flavours and the reds contained a rich full body. The fair has been hugely beneficial economically to suppliers and producers as one wine producer said “we did it three years ago and there was a noticeable effect and were hoping for that again”.

In a room adjacent to the hall the Christmas kick starter continued with a cookery demonstration. Máire Duff from Bord Bia took to the demo kitchen where she prepared and cooked a leg of lamb. The seasoned lamb with berry sauce was wafting around the room and the turkey alternative set the taste buds tingling. Gerry Talty from Spanish sea vegetables provided sea spaghetti which was cooked for the onlookers. Arun Kapil from Green Saffron cooked a turkey curry using the finest Indian spices. He showed how you can make an exciting St Stephen’s Day meal with the leftover turkey.

A kitchen demonstration also took place on the night with Ronan Reynolds from the award winning Ard Bia in Nimmo’s taking to the counter. Ard Bia make a range of tasty pumpkin seed bread, home-made fruity jams, along with many more tasty and nutritious treats.

Mc Cambridge’s had a pop up shop set up in the Salthill Hotel on the night displaying and selling some of its most famous and popular items.

Although the night was filled with exquisite and rich treats it also had healthy options. There was a vast array of sugar free fruit juices and granola cereals that are brilliant lunch box fillers, along with free-range turkeys and organic salmon.

All the treats, meats and wines were offered to the huge crowd and producers even gave a discount on their products for that night. Customers could choose the treats they wished to buy and arrange them into a hamper for collection another time.

The night was a huge success not only for the McCambridge family but also for the smaller producers and suppliers throughout the region. Some described the fair as “a way to get the produce to people and convince them to buy it ” through tastings of their delicacies. The night gave the newer producers a chance to make their mark on potential customers. Leaving the event one we were filled with Christmas cheer and excitment for the season ahead. Once again, the McCambridges were local heroes.

McCambridge's: Store / Prosecco & Chocolates

2011-11-18T08:01:14-05:00

Prosecco & Chocolates €24

Santa Chiara

Prosecco On the nose you will find generous fruit, releasing hints of apples and peaches. The palate has wonderful balance and elegance, dry & crisp, but admirable fullness and length, closely mirroring the nose. This is an excellent aperitif for all social occasions.

Presented in a basket with Butlers Irish Chocolates 160g

McCambridge's: Blogs / McCambridge's Christmas Hamper Brochure

2011-11-17T04:38:12-05:00

If you have been into the shop you hopefully will have spotted the latest and greatest McCambridge’s Christmas Hamper Brochure (finally…) Again lots of chasing around this year to get it all together. It starts with working with great Irish suppliers to identify lots of good food and drink to include, to getting samples, to final decisions on what to put into each hamper, to taking the (bloody) photographs, to getting it all to the excellent printer(Castle Print and Amanda, thanks) and to finally getting it on the counter and in the post for our customers!

It is available to pick up in the shop. Just send me your address to retail@mccambridges.com and I can send you a copy. All the hampers and wine gift packs are also here on the website to have a good look at, and we will have hampers for sale on the shop floor next week.

Roll on Christmas…..

McCambridge's: Store / test

2011-11-17T03:15:34-05:00

test

McCambridge's: News / McCambridge's Food and Wine Fair 2011 Press Release

2011-11-09T09:15:52-05:00

Press Release: 24^th October 2011

McCambridge’s Food & Wine Fair to Raise Money for Children’s Cancer Charity

McCambridge’s of Shop Street will host their eight annual Food and Wine Fair on Thursday 24^th November at the Salthill Hotel from 6pm to 10pm. The proceeds of all tickets sold will go directly to local Galway schools Dominican College, St Mary’s College, Galway Educate Together, Scoil Iognáid, Gael Scoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Coláiste Iognáid and Children’s Cancer Charity for the West, Hand in Hand. Tickets are available from McCambridge’s, all six schools, Hand in Hand or available at the door on the night at €15.

This year McCambridge’s Food and Wine Fair will host over 40 award-winning gourmet, artisan food and wine producers in this unique setting, which is heralded by many as the beginning of the festive season. The over-18 event allows visitors avail of the opportunity to taste a variety of delicious products during the course of the evening. There will also be a Pop-Up Shop to purchase products on the night.

A highlight this year is the introduction of several cookery demonstrations to satisfy all taste buds. Máire Duffy from Bord Bia will host a cookery demonstration as will award-winning chef Ronan Reynolds from Ard Bia at Nimmos. Gerry Talty from Spanish Point Sea Veg will provide harvested quality Sea Vegetables from the beautiful shorelines of the Burren and Arun Kapil from Green Saffron the Spice Specialists invites visitors to sample a delightful range of natural spices, sauces and seeds.

Commenting on this year’s Food and Wine Fair, McCambridge’s Director, Natalie McCambridge commented, “We are delighed to have increased the number of our gourmet food producers to over 40 tasting and information stands this year. Our producers are really looking forward to meeting visitors face-to-face to sample their produce and our customers will get the opportunity to meet these producers ranging from cheese and wine specialists to natural confectionerys, based locally and from around the country. We are also delighted that all proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to six local schools and our charity of choice, Hand in Hand who provide invaluable practical support to families in the West of Ireland whose lives have been affected by childhood cancer.”

Artisan and gourmet food producers attending the event for the first time include Cooleeney Farm cheese producers from Thurles; Carraig na Breac Traditional Kiln Smokehouse from Co. Leitrim; Kingfisher Tea from Wexford, importers and blenders of gourmet loose leaf teas to suit every taste while Gingergirl will provide recipes on food that is local, seasonal and simple. For tasty treats don’t miss Sam Cookie’s Christmas cakes, cookie bites and meringues; Pandora Bell’s natural confectionery of handmade lollipops, nougat and salted butter caramels and Mella’s award-winning Butter Fudge. Other delcious foods include chutneys, paté, salmon, bread, chocolates, cakes, puddings and preserves along with world famous wines and coffees.

Making a welcome return to the Food and Wine Fair are The Friendly Farmer, a producer of pasture reared chickens, ducks, bronze turkeys and geece; McGeough’s Artisan Butcher from Oughterard and The Galway Cupcakery, producers and suppliers of handcraft cupcakes in Moycullen.

In recent years McCambridge’s have introduced many new features to their store including a hot food Deli and Sandwich bar and customers can enjoy lunch al fresco while watching the world go by on Shop Street over a coffee and cake. Gourmet food and wine hampers are a speciality of McCambridge’s tailored for every order no matter what the occasion and a delivery service throughout Ireland. The store has also introduced a new service where parents can place a weekly food allowance for their children to enjoy healthy and wholesome foods from McCambridge’s during their school lunch break.

Food and Wine Fair tickets are available at €15 and can be bought from McCambrige’s, Shop Street and all six schools. Or contact Jennifer Carpenter, Hand in Hand on 091 799759. For further information on the Food and Wine Fair visit www.mccambridges.com

Further PRESS Details

Gwen O’Sullivan

Publicity Manager

McCambridge’s Food & Wine Fair 2011

T: +353 87 6601592

E: gwencommunications@gmail.com

EDITORS NOTES:

Founded in 1925 McCambridge’s of Galway is a family owned Deli and Fine Foods Shop located in the heart of Galway city centre. The company has been selling gourmet food, wine and hampers since 1925 specialising in supplying only the best products sourced both locally and internationally.

The company provides Gift Hampers filled with delicious foods and wines and can be tailored to suit customer requirements, no matter what the occasion and provide a hamper delivery service throughout Ireland. Food and Wine hampers can be purchased instore at McCambridge’s or online at www.mccambridges.com

McCambridge’s wines and fine food are brought to customers from many of the leading confectioners, butchers, bakers and cooks of Galway and Ireland, as well as from all across the world. The company is committed to offering the best foods, made of the finest ingredients by suppliers of their choice.

Today the store offers a a hot food Deli and Sandwich bar and customers can also enjoy eating al fresco while people watching on Shop Street over a coffee. McCambridge’s have also introduced a new service where parents can place a weekly food allowance for their children to enjoy healthy and wholesome foods from McCambridge’s during their school lunch break.

McCambridge's: News / Irish Times, Sat 13th August 'Shop Street'

2011-08-15T05:18:30-04:00

Let's talk Shop (Street)

DAVIN O'DWYER

‘YOU ALWAYS get a good reaction from people around the country when you say you’re from Galway. Everybody likes the place as soon as they come here.” Newsagent Paul O’Brien is trying to pin down what people find so attractive about the city and what makes many of the locals so fiercely loyal to the place. “Galway itself is a great brand,” he concludes.

Galwegians, both native and adoptive, often talk about the city’s unique character, the laid-back, slightly bohemian atmosphere that’s not readily found in other Irish cities or towns. Nowhere is that character more palpable than on the streets that run from Eyre Square down to the Spanish Arch. The area is a consistently lively mix of buskers, venerable family-run retailers, multinational chains, face painters, human statues, outdoor sippers of coffee and pints, sign holders, charity collectors, and even some determined shoppers, laden with bags.

“It’s so bohemian now, I call it the San Francisco of Ireland, because you have every race and culture in it,” says James Kelly, a Co Kerry poet who sells his books of verse on main streets and busy squares across the country. “Shop Street is special, whereas, in Dublin, Temple Bar didn’t quite work the way it was meant to as a cultural area.”

While many people describe the northern, retail-heavy stretch as Shop Street and the southern, entertainment-focused stretch as Quay Street, the area is in fact five streets, from north to south: Williamsgate Street, leading off Eyre Square; William Street, where the pedestrianised zone begins (and where Paul O’Brien’s neat, magazine-lined shop can be found); Shop Street itself, a surprisingly short block starting at Lynch’s Castle; High Street; and finally Quay Street, filled with restaurants and pubs, perpetually abuzz.

Less than 30 years ago Quay Street had as many derelict buildings as functioning businesses, and its dramatic revitalisation is just one example of how much the city has changed. These streets are the soul of Galway, which has a particularly compact centre even for a city of 75,000 people. They have changed radically as the city has developed into one of the most vibrant urban centres in Ireland.

From the pedestrianisation of the central thoroughfare in the late 1990s to the more recent creation of a self-styled Latin Quarter, these streets have been subject to a continual, and largely successful, process of renewal. Yet it’s a process that many locals are concerned about, as they see international brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Boots take their place alongside, or instead of, family-run businesses.

“Since I came back to Galway 30 years ago the only businesses that haven’t changed on the street have been us, Griffin’s Bakery, Brennans shoes, McCambridge’s, and probably the bank,” says Anthony Ryan of the well-known clothes shop towards the end of Shop Street, by Buttermilk Lane. Ryan is one of the names most closely associated with the street, Anthony’s grandfather having founded the business at the same location in 1909. “All of us who are still here, we work hard at our businesses. It gives Galway a bit of uniqueness, and it’s not bland like so many other streets that you see.”

Of course, Shop Street has not survived the recession unscathed (the giant liquidation sign in the window of Zhivago’s music store attests to that), and businesses have reason to be thankful for the visitors that reliably turn up for the festivals. Paul Faller, the fourth generation of his family to run Faller’s jewellery store on Williamsgate Street, which has been operating for 132 years, is chairman of the Galway City Business Association and is realistic about the recession’s effect.

“Galway people are always very good to Galway businesses, but many of the family-run businesses are dependent on the fact that they own their premises, that they’re not under the rent pressure you find on Grafton Street,” he says. “As for the multinationals coming in, there is a risk of homogenisation, but if we don’t have them people will go elsewhere. It’s about getting a good mix, because we can’t be relying on sentimentality.”

A LOT OF people cite the closure of Kenny’s Bookshop and Art Gallery a few years ago as a watershed moment in the area’s recent history. It was an event that prompted greater recognition of the importance of family businesses and their role in preserving Shop Street’s identity.

“We don’t have customers; we have clients. That’s what makes us different from the multiples,” says Ryan, with unmistakable professional pride. “I often say to the staff: ‘You’re part salespeople, part counsellors, part psychologists.’ They’re dealing with people all the time; it takes a lot of skill. Some people come in to shop, some come in because it’s their routine, sometimes they come in because they want a chat, they might be lonely.”

While the pedestrianisation of 1998 benefited Ryan’s business, due to hugely increased footfall on a street that had become known for its traffic congestion, across the street the food emporium McCambridge’s struggled to reposition itself.

“It cost us millions over the years, changed our direction totally,” says Eoin McCambridge, managing director of the company. “We’ve gone from being a family grocer to being more a specialist delicatessen, with a sandwich bar and coffee bar. For a volume-driven business such as ours, it was very challenging.”

McCambridge’s is very much a family enterprise, with Eoin’s sisters Norma and Nathalie also involved and their father Pat still a genial presence in the shop. The business’s change of focus has been a remarkable success, and it has been helped significantly by outdoor seating, a byproduct of pedestrianisation and the smoking ban. “The chairs and tables outside have been brilliant for us. They really have introduced a whole new kind of aspect,” says Eoin McCambridge. “The face of the business is now on the street, rather than behind the doors. It’s great for people-watching too.”

The arrival of outdoor seating at cafes such as Griffin’s and pubs such as Garavans and Taaffes has fundamentally altered the character of the area, turning a busy thoroughfare into something more like a continental boulevard. Surprisingly, though, the city council was initially reluctant to allow outdoor seating.

“It was quite difficult to get permission,” says Mairtín Lally, who has run Taaffes for 24 years. “The council said it would clog up the street, but we pointed out we’re at one of the widest points here, so we got a licence. We keep the seats out year-round, and it’s very important to us. On a Saturday or a Sunday there, people can sit outside and take in the whole thing passing by. We have music twice a day, seven days a week, all year round. That works: people walking past can hear the session and come in. It started with just a few musicians playing tunes.

“Some of the musicians that started with us 24 years ago are still here, which is great.”

Lively sessions also run in nearby pubs, such as Tig Cóilí across the street, reinforcing the sense that Galway’s status as capital of the west and gateway to Connemara brings with it cultural advantages that contribute to the city’s character. Part of the authenticity of that character lies in a continuing bilingual presence: behind the bar in Taaffes a sign reads, as Bearla, “Irish spoken, English understood”.

Another keeper of the traditional-music flame is Colm Powell of The Four Corners, a landmark store founded by his father in 1918 on the corner of William Street and Abbeygate Street, across from the medieval Lynch’s Castle. Powell is one of the last people living on the street, and still works behind the counter in his refreshingly old-fashioned music shop, with CDs, musical instruments and art-and-craft supplies piled high. He relates the history of 20th-century Galway in the irreverent fashion of someone who has seen it all from his stand at the heart of it, watching as the city grew from a small town in the commercial shadow of Limerick to the tourist destination and industrial centre it has become today.

“The town is changing all the time, but what’s in town still is speciality,” he says. “We’re selling an awful lot of violins, because someone out in the shopping centre won’t sell violins. Or pipes. But if I’m selling all the pipes, it’s partly because it’s a dying trade. But there’s enough left to die with. It’s the same with several things: we’re the last of the Mohicans left in them.”

Between the durable red walls of Powell’s store and the immutable limestone of Lynch’s Castle is a more temporary commercial activity: young men holding signs for businesses off the main thoroughfare. They joke among themselves, but only one is happy to talk about his work and what he sees on the street. Albert Comamala came to Galway from Girona, Spain, five months ago, and he says he is enjoying it.

“I think Ireland is a good place for work, much better than Spain,” he says. “I do every day with just Sundays off, part-time, just 24 hours a week. Other guys spend more time here.” His accent is a great blend of Iberian and the west of Ireland, but he says: “I don’t have many friends from Galway. For me, it’s difficult to know Irish people. Sometimes you know them, but to keep in touch is difficult. There’s a big wall, I don’t know if it’s the language, but when I pass this wall, it’s good, there’s a good relationship.”

A few feet away James Fleming is sitting by the door to the bank in Lynch’s Castle. Dressed in silver and resting on a large grey throne, he is an almost static recreation of the Pádraic Ó Conaire statue that graced Eyre Square before it was moved to Galway City Museum. But once a coin is dropped into his bowl, Fleming’s Ó Conaire bursts into life, spinning a plate and opening an umbrella.

“There’s a lot of the same people performing on the streets, and the people are still as generous as they ever were, considering the tough times,” Fleming says. “There’s generally always a good atmosphere on Shop Street. Pedestrianisation has made it really, it’s now like a river of people that flows to the sea.”

THERE IS A sense that the street has evolved into a kind of outdoor theatre with an ever-changing cast of performers and passersby. By the colourful facade of what was once Una Taaffe’s famous drapery shop on William Street, an exhilarating flamenco beat comes from a stylish trio of musicians, entertaining a large crowd. The city’s Latin connections might be overstated – there’s only so much impact a 15th-century visit from Columbus can have on a place – but the sounds of the band, Sarumba, are a natural fit for the street on a sunny day.

“I was brought here by the fairies,” says the band’s Italian guitarist, Vincenzo Donnarumma, with a broad smile. “I came myself because I was interested in Irish music and read the fairy tales and legends, and so I thought I’d come to Ireland. When I arrived I heard Galway was good for art, so I came to Galway. I’ve been here ever since, 12 years now. I love it, love the people – so welcoming.”

Donnarumma is far from alone in finding himself snared by Galway’s ambience. The weekend crafts market on Church Lane, tucked beside St Nicholas’s Church, is a haven for creative souls.

“I’m from New York,” says jeweller Maura O’Laoghaire, her accent a convincing Galwegian with a slight Five Boroughs twang. “I’ve been in Galway for 20 years. I first came over for the arts festival. I arrived and I was standing outside the Quays pub and I saw the Macnas parade come down the street, and I was hooked. I think people get stuck here, those types of people.”

Is the city’s artistic reputation overstated? “I do think the place lives up to its cultural reputation,” she says, “but you have to be looking after it, you need to keep it cultivated. Otherwise it withers.”

Anthony Ryan, for one, believes that “the way the city has embraced the arts has been very important. A lot of the strong artistic things that happened in the city came from people I was in college with, Ollie Jennings and Pádraic Breathnach with the arts festival, Garry Hynes with Druid. They’ve made a lasting contribution to the city. A lot of people have followed on from the work they’ve done.”

Druid has recently returned to its home just off Quay Street, but some locals feel that the area is at risk of becoming a tourist-only zone, a miniature Temple Bar selling an ersatz version of Galway. While establishments such as Neachtain’s pub and McDonagh’s fish restaurant are central to the city’s identity, the revelry tends to be a magnet for visitors, and many Galwegians have come to prefer the pubs and venues on Dominick Street across the river.

There is also a concern that Galway has developed into an overly boozy town that is perhaps more fun than is good for it. One friend describes Galway as a “graveyard of ambition”, and many students and artists have felt the inertia that often sets in here. When just hanging out can seem like a cultural pastime, motivation can be in short supply.

There are tentative plans for the city to look forward by turning to face the sea. The Volvo Ocean Race in 2009 emphasised the importance of the city’s coastal location, and ambitious plans for a port capable of welcoming cruise ships and an inner marina could revitalise underused parts of the city centre.

An occasional addition to the street in recent weeks, directly opposite Ryan’s shopfront, is a table with flyers for the presidential campaign of Michael D Higgins, and Higgins and his wife Sabina have been seen shaking hands and accepting the goodwill of passersby. It says much about Galway’s sensibility that it should choose as its political representative for so many years an academic and a poet, a defiantly cultured and untypical politician.

“I keep worrying that we’ll lose the buzz that we seem to have in Galway. We have to watch it because we don’t really know what it is,” says Eoin McCambridge, the sound of the street’s music and chat audible in his office above the shop. “I think some people take it for granted. Nobody seems to know where it comes from. It’s almost a magical thing; it just exists.”

McCambridge's: Blogs / Fresh Lemonade

2011-08-05T06:25:32-04:00

Ok so summer has been looking a bit dodgy, with sunshine a bit lacking, but at least the rain is warmer! Sun or no sun I love fresh lemonade for summer time supping. This is a great recipe, easy, cheap, very lemony and not too sweet. Its great poured over ice with a sprig of mint, or use it to make summer cocktails. We make this at home all the time and it will last in the fridge for a couple of days (never lasts that long in our house). If you buy regular lemons they are usually covered with a thin layer of wax to help preserve them in storage. These need to be scrubbed under a hot tap to get rid of the wax before you use them. Most organic lemons are un-waxed.

All you need is

750ml water
4 lemons, un-waxed
Caster Sugar 100g
Ice to serve

Fill up the kettle and boil.

Peel off all the yellow zest from the lemons in wide strips using a potato peeler. If there is a lot of white pith still on the zest, scrape off the worst of it. Put all the zest is a big heat proof jug (a glass one works best, don't use a plastic picnic one, the heat may crack it and the acid from the lemon eats into it). Add the sugar and then pour in 750ml of boiling water. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar has completely dissolved. At this stage you can put the jug to one side for an hour or two till completely cool. If you are in a terrible hurry continue on but it won't be as lemony...

When the lemonade is cold fish out all the zest. Cut your peeled lemons in half and squeeze out the juice from them. Add the juice to the jug. You can strain everything through a sieve if you don't like bits or the odd pip. To serve half fill a glass with ice and pour in lemonade. If you like top up with some sparkling water for a light fizz. If you have any fresh mint roughly chop up some and add with the ice.

This lemonade is a great mixer for a cocktail. Use crushed ice, add a shot of good vodka like Smirnoff Black Label or Finlandia and mint leaves, and top up with lemonade. Add a straw and a cocktail parasol (€1.95 for pack of 12) and you are away.

If making lemonade for cocktails you could add a few sprigs of rosemary to the lemon zest above. The rosemary tinted infusion makes a very grown up lemonade that works really well with the vodka. You can add a sprig of rosemary to each glass when serving.

McCambridge's: Blogs / Calling all cup-cake makers and cake bakers...

2011-07-22T10:24:17-04:00

Calling all cup-cake makers and cake bakers....

We have just started stocking all kinds of edible decorations for all you bakers out there. Baking has made a major resurgence and we found that lots of people were asking us to stock a bigger range. We will be expanding on the range over the next few months. There is stuff I have never heard of! A pot of edible glue will stick your own creations to the cake or to icing - great for sugared flowers etc. Sugar art pens with edible ink can be used to write to your heart's content on any icing. Food colouring pastes are great for cupcake icing - use a little or bit more depending how deep you want the colour. Friend Katy, super cupcake baker, recommends them, says they do a much better job than the liquid food colours. Then there are lots of sugar flowers, sugar happy birthday plaques with balloons or pirates, edible glitter and balls, edible stars and more. We would love to get some feedback from you bakers on what other things would be worth stocking - so have a chat if you are in the shop, or post a comment on the website or on Facebook and we will do our best to source.

McCambridge's: Store / Picnic Hamper Basket

2011-06-23T05:51:57-04:00

Picnic Hamper Basket €47

Paso de Sol Chardonnay 75cl

San Pellegrino Sparkling Water 75cl

Salad Selection

Cold meat & pate selection

2 fresh half baguettes

Fresh Fruit Salad 200g

2 handmade crisps 40g

2 French pastries

McCambridge's Milk Chocolate Bar 100g

Presented in a hand-woven shopping bag, with plastic cutlery, glasses and plates.

*picnic hampers can be customised to your requirement, please call or email us for details.

McCambridge's: Blogs / Gift ideas for Fathers Day, June 19th 2011

2011-06-10T09:17:10-04:00

Father's Day is upon us again. Sunday June 19^th is when all Dads should be made a fuss of this year. I find getting a gift for father, father-in-law or husband(on behalf of lazy kids) to be way more difficult than Mothers gifts so I put together a list of possibilities, from simple gifts for the cash strapped to something a bit more extravagant.

Hampers are always a good option. We can make up any kind of hamper in the shop, or you can put together your own. (We have a Jameson 12 yr old Hamper basket for €63). To do your own look out for a suitable container like a basket, box, bucket, and jug, pot... the list is endless. Check out the 2 euro shops, TK Maxx, or even the back of your garage or shed. A ceramic flower pot hand painted by kids or a simple cardboard shoe box covered in bright paper (the funnier the better) work really well. My crew once did one covered with bright pink Barbie paper!

For the cash strapped buy a really bad cheap mug with something silly on it (I saw a Donny Osmond mug the other day) half fill with shredded bright paper (lots of people have those desk-top shredders at home, just use on to those, and shred some shiny magazine pages) and pop in a really nice bar of good chocolate like Valrhona, or one of the Butlers Irish Chocolate bars.

Pick a theme for the hamper - suggestions are barbeque, favourite sports team, fishing, golf, music, gardening, Bear Grylis survival, cooking etc. Then pick some items to put in. A mixture of something from the theme and some food and drink to match really works. A few examples are; Barbeque - set of good cooking thongs, a funny apron, couple of bottles of interesting beers (men do need their beer while barbecuing) and some good barbecue sauce like Cottage Delight Jamaican Jerk or Wild Appetite Smoking Barbeque sauce. Even better buy a plain white apron and some fabric paint and get the kids to paint the apron, or buy t-shirt transfer paper in Easons and design a transfer for the apron on the pc. Or just get our Beers of the World hamper....

Sports team - now that our super Connaught Rugby squad will be in the Heineken Cup next season go with a Connaught rugby baseball hat or scarf or shirt and add some bottles of Heineken, and depending of whether they like sweet or savoury, either some Irish cheese and chutney, or some Skelligs Whiskey Crème truffles, Pandora Bell salted butter caramels or a bag of Butlers Irish Toffee.

Duffys on Mainguard St have loads of fishing tackle; combine with a good bottle of gusty red wine like Tobele Valpolicella Ripasso or Chateau Doyac Haut-Medoc.

Other suggestions - we have lots of good (and different) Irish Whiskeys like Writers Tears pot still whiskey, Knappogue Castle 12 year old, Green Spot Irish Whiskey and Middleton Very Rare, varying in price from €25 to €149. Also lots of Scotches including two with great names (and good flavour) - Pigs Nose and Sheep Dip! There is an amazing Calvados (apple brandy) called Pomme Pisorriere which has a whole apple inside the bottle for €63. Go with Irish cheese, patchwork pate or Parma ham for savoury, or Dittys Shortbread, Mella's Fudge or Kylemore Abbey jams for sweet.

Finally if you are really stuck and you can suffer it for a whole day, set up his comfy chair in the TV room, give him total control of the remote, a comfy cushion, a few of his favourite magazines, a little table beside him for his favourite drink and a bell for him to ring whenever he needs something. But be warned it may lead to gnashing of teeth and unrepeatable language.

McCambridge's: Blogs / Strawberry Season

2011-06-03T08:18:49-04:00

Summer seems to be coming at last! This sunny weather is ripening my sister's strawberries at a great rate. She grows them in poly tunnels in Furbo, west of the city in her walled in garden, a stones' throw away from the sea. There are no air miles on these guys and they are freshly picked every day. We will have lots on sale over the bank holiday weekend, and as our regulars know they have a wonderful flavour.

To celebrate we are running a competition to win a summer hamper of our home-grown strawberries, a bottle of sparkling prosecco, Glenelin clotted cream and Dittys yummy shortbread. All we want you to do is send in your strawberry recipes or your favourite way to serve them and the one we like the best will be deemed the winner! Please send your entries to competition@mccambridges.com along with your name, address and telephone number, closing date is Wednesday 15th June, winner will be notified Friday 17th, just a note to remember because the prize contains delicious fresh strawberries it will have to be collected in the shop.

I like mine simple. My sisters ones are so sweet they need very little sugar or none at all. I slice mine up, sprinkle a very little caster sugar on, and drizzle over a little Cointreau. It's really important to serve at room temperature, the flavours are so better when not too cold. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of Murphy's Vanilla Ice-cream....

McCambridge's: Blogs / Ponaire at the Milk Market

2011-05-16T09:59:23-04:00

I am just back from a weekend in Limerick. I was participating in a rowing tour, which included coming through Ardnacrusha lock in a tour rowing boat and rowing a total of 20 odd miles from Lough Derg right into the heart of Limerick. A great adventure was had, but I couldn't leave Limerick without visiting the Milk Market and Ponaire's Roastery and Coffee Bar.

Tommy and Jennifer Ryan started up Ponaire Roastery in 2006 when they returned to Ireland after living in the USA for many years. They produce wonderful coffee from the finest grade beans. Nothing is added to the green beans they import except heat! The picture shows Jennifer checking a batch of beans at the roaster based in Annacotty, Co Limerick. Last June they opened a new coffee bar in Limerick Milk Market. The market has been re-developed, with a central courtyard covered with what I would describe as a circus style permanent canvas roof (I am sure there is a more technical name!) to create an all-weather space. There are permanent pavilion style units at the centre of the courtyard, one of which is Ponaire's Coffee Bar, open space for market stalls, and further shop units in the building surrounding the courtyard. Have a look at www.milkmarketlimerick.ie. It is open Friday to Sunday and well worth a visit. Excellent coffee was consumed, and there was a bit of excitement when Paul O'Connell was spotted at one of the tables.

When we opened our coffee bar two years ago we decided to use Ponaire's coffee as our coffee of choice. Customers have been delighted with the quality and flavour of the coffee and we now sell a wide range of their coffees, both beans and ground. Tommy and Jennifer have become good friends of McCambridge's and we wish them well with the new extension to their business.

McCambridge's: Blogs / Double Chocolate Brownies

2011-04-26T10:02:06-04:00

You might be overdosed on chocolate by now, but a favourite chocolate dessert in our house is chocolate brownies. You could use some of that excess Easter egg chocolate if it is not all scoffed. These are really easy to make and taste great (don't even think about calories....). They are a great gluten free option, because you use only a small amount of flour and there is really no difference in taste when gluten free flour is used.

The recipe is from the River Cottage Family Cook Book, which I would highly recommend as a starter cook book for anyone, not just families. Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall and Fizz Carr's' book explains so well about basic ingredients, how they work together, and how to make a great range of basic foods. But they are not afraid to get kids making bread from scratch, or jam, or marshmallows. They explain things like how to use yeast and gelatine, how to boil sugar for jam and how to clean and prepare a squid. The brownie recipe page in our book is almost unreadable at this stage, with splashes of chocolate, grease etc proving its popularity in our house!

Double Chocolate Brownies

70% dark chocolate 250g (McCambridge's 250g block 70% chocolate works perfectly)
Unsalted butter 200g (regular butter will work too...)
Caster sugar 200g
3 eggs
Plain flour or gluten free flour 125g
Cocoa powder 50g
Chopped walnuts or hazelnuts 100g (optional)

Baking tin approx 20 x 30 cm and at least 2cm deep
Preheat oven to 160 deg C

Break up the chocolate and chop up the butter into a mixing bowl. Sit the bowel on a saucepan of simmering hot water (make sure bowel doesn't touch water) and melt chocolate and butter.

In a second bowl whisk together eggs and sugar (I use an electric whisk) until smooth and creamy. Add the melted chocolate and butter, mixing thoroughly.

Sift in the flour and cocoa powder and mix. Add the nuts if using(I love them in, the kids love them out, guess who usually wins...).
Line the baking tin with tin foil and pour the mixture into the tin. Bake for 20 -25mins - don't overcook! Better squishy than solid.

Leave to cool and cut into squares

Completely yummy warm with good vanilla ice-cream (try Murphy's) or a dollop of whipped cream.

Store in an air-tight box or tin. They are even fudgier the next day.....

McCambridge's: Store / Wine, Chocs and Preserve

2011-04-21T06:36:26-04:00

Wine, Chocs and Preserve €25 inc. V.A.T

Paso De Sol Merlot or Chardonnay 75cl

Butlers Irish Chocolates 160g

Baker Sisters Gourmet Jam 227g

McCambridge's: Blogs / A natural isotonic drink

2011-04-12T10:56:57-04:00

I have a son who is sports mad, and is on the go constantly from pitch to pitch. He is always looking for sports drinks and isotonic drinks, which I am reluctant to buy because of the high sugar content, and the high level of artificial colours, flavouring etc. I have been on the lookout for something more natural, which will still give him the energy burst he needs.

In London recently I was in Whole Foods Market (great food shop, with a branch in Soho, if you happen to be visiting) and the drinks fridge there was full of coconut water. I did a bit of research and found out the following....

Coconut water is the liquid from young unripe coconuts before the flesh begins to form. Coconut water has long been revered as a health drink. It is loaded with the five essential electrolytes that athletes need-- including sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorous.

It's also naturally fat free. And one 11 oz serving has double the potassium of a banana and 15 times the amount of potassium that the top selling sports drink- about 700mg of potassium. The electrolytes help keep the body cool, boost poor circulation, and replenish the fluids you lose during exercise. It is known to also aid in the detoxification process while boosting your immune system.

It is cholesterol free and can soothe an upset stomach and help promote weight loss. On a side note, it is also known as a great hangover cure due to the fact that it re-hydrates so well. There are no added artificial sweeteners or added refined sugar of any kind.

Sounds great! We have been able to source VitaCoco coconut water in 330ml cartons. There is a plain version and an acai and pomegranate version. I find it refreshing and tasty, but you do need to like the taste of coconut. It retails at 2 Euros, and is in the fridge in the middle of the shop with the juices. Any feedback appreciated, now to convince my son that it is so much nicer than the artificial sports drinks.......

McCambridge's: Blogs / Irish Fashion Innovation Awards 2011

2011-04-06T05:54:29-04:00

I headed off to the Radisson last night with friend Bernie in tow to the Fashion Innovation Awards 2011. It was hosted by Patricia McCrossan from Galway Now and Limerick Now magazines. We sipped our own Paso de Sol Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay in the foyer as we oogled at some great outfits. We had great seats(thanks Patricia) and really enjoyed the vast range of clothes, jewellery and accessories being shown. I was delighted to see Stephanie Grace Foy showing some of her collection. She was earmarked as 'one to watch' and we loved her elegant draping pieces. Picture shows one of her dresses. Stephanie is friend to eldest daughter and hails from Barna.

There were 4 awards being competed for- Student fashion Award, Accessories Award, Jewellry Award and Fashion award. Una Burke won highlight of the show, the fashion award, for her amazing leather pieces. Not exactly for parading down Shop Street of a Saturday, but fab concept. Lady Gaga has commissioned pieces from her - that should give you some idea of the style.

We both loved Ruth Duignans collection. She uses Irish fabrics like tweed and linen to create really different and beautiful clothes. We also gave the thumbs up to Yvonne Beale for her beautiful and unusual jewellery pieces, incorporating hand crafted crochet.

It is marvellous to see events like this in Galway. We really have some great people bringing such a range of different shows to the city, so dump the slippers and head out to support the array of things going on Galway.

McCambridge's: Blogs / Terramater Wines Visit

2011-03-31T08:51:14-04:00

Catherine Wevar Zencovich from Terramater Wines in Chile visited us last week. Catherine is the European Manager for Terramater. She has visited us before and it was great to see her again. Eoin's (just 5 this week) daughter was delighted to meet her, but informed me that 'she talks weird!'

On her current tour she has come from London, spent a few days with us, and took off to Dusseldorf last Thursday to spend a few days at Prowein, one of the biggest wine trade shows in Europe, promoting Terramater Wines.

She led a very informative tasting in the shop on Thursday - we tasted some of the range from the value Paso de Sol to the highly rated Altum Cabernet Sauvignon. The Paso range at €7.50 a bottle came out really well. The wines are all produced from single vineyard grapes, are simple, flavoursome and perfect for drinking on their own or with food. They are still coming through as great value every day (or at least every week) wines.

We all loved the Altum Cabernet Sauvignon (€17.50). It's really well balanced, classically structured and full bodied. Terramater is very much based on the French style of making wines. Their wine maker Paulo was classically trained in Bordeaux, and it shows with the wines. All casks are made of French oak (no American wood in sight). We are still so excited about these wines. The value across the range is excellent, with similar French wines retailing at 30-40% more. It is wonderful to see a small family run company doing so well on the world market.

I asked Catherine about the effects of the earthquake last year on their production. Fortunately they had very little disruption. One old building on the edge of one of the vineyards was damaged, but none of their wine production was affected. The country is getting back to normal, and seems to be on the up.

Finally we are waiting for their new Pinot Noir, which is on the high seas at the moment. This wine has been produced at their new vineyard in Leyden Valley on the coast of Chile. The climate here is cooler and this pinot is very much in the new world style. It's fruity and fresh with minerals coming thru. This will be a great on for fish eaters who like their red wines. We should have it in 3-4 weeks and it will be around the €11.50 mark

McCambridge's: Blogs / St Patricks Day - down under

2011-03-20T08:28:23-04:00

Check this out.....

St Patrick's Day Flashmob, Sydney.

There were a few funny comments on it, including 'I think it was 44 british people' and 'there was a big fight afterwards'.

McCambridge's: Blogs / St Patrick's Day

2011-03-16T07:47:29-04:00

Inish Turk Beg Maiden Voyage Irish single malt whiskey -

The picture(not the greatest)is of one of our windows displaying the whiskey.

This is a new whiskey produced on Inish Turk Island. Inish Turk is an private island in Clew Bay, Co. Mayo which also produces excellent smoked salmon. They have just released this whiskey(2,888 1litre bottles I am told). The packaging is fab - it is in a hand blown bottle in the shape of a mooring buoy, and Luke, our whiskey expert, tells me it is an excellent whiskey. He describes it as smooth, warm and complex. For those who like to know more, it is a single malt whiskey that has been aged in poitin barrels on the island, and the price is €155. We have a bottle hidden away in the shop and Luke would be very happy to give anyone a taste before they buy. It would make a really nice present for a whiskey drinker.

McCambridge's: Blogs / Spelt - what is it..........

2011-03-01T11:20:00-05:00

We get lots of queries about spelt flour and products made with spelt.

Spelt is an alternative to wheat. Although it's not completely gluten-free (so not celiac friendly) it is much lower in gluten than wheat. It is richer in protein and many vitamins than wheat and a lot of people find it easier to digest. It's got an interesting nutty flavour too. You can get white and wholemeal spelt flour for baking, and there are a lot more products made from spelt now on the market. I have done some baking with spelt but haven't tried making bread with it. I am told that it works well but recipes can need a bit of tweaking because of the reduced gluten. I used it for pancake batter and it was perfect for that.

An Irish company Spelt for Health have a new range of cookies which taste great and are made from spelt flour, which we are trying out in the shop. They are a nice size for a treat, without overindulging and cost 55c. Try one with lunch next time you are in the shop...

English Mum (who writes a great food blog) has a good recipe using spelt for a pizza base at http://englishmum.com/spelt-flour-pizzas-with-honey-tomato-sauce.html

McCambridge's: Blogs / A great place for lunch in Spiddal

2011-02-17T04:42:38-05:00

I made it out to Spiddal(Co Galway of course) just before Christmas for lunch with daughter number two who was looking for a treat. We had a yummy lunch at An Búilin Blasta restaurant, coffee shop and bakery. It is located at the back of the Ceardlann (Craft Village) opposite Spiddal Beach, and well worth a trip out west. It was closed from Christmas until early Feb, but it's now back in action. Daughter mentioned above is now driving, and looking for any excuse to steal the car. She took a spin out there last week with a few of the girls for coffee, scones and muffins, and gave it a second thumbs up.

I had the fish cake and Sinead had one of the foccacio sandwiches, both delicious. I had an ulterior motive to visit as we are selling Builin Blasta's chutneys and salad dressings in the shop. We have also recently started selling some of their great pastries, which are pure chocolate indulgence.

I had a chat with owner J-me Peaker (that's how he spells it!) who hails from New Zealand. He has been cooking up a storm in Spiddal for the last few years. J-me is great to talk to, a very nice fella, and is passionate about his food. His chutneys (apple and almond, pineapple and chilli, or red onion & tomato) go really well with cheese, cooked meats or curries. His salad dressings are perfect for summer salads, I particularly like his raspberry and balsamic one.

If you are passing, or would like to take a spin out west, call in. You can also buy his bread, and his scones with cream and jam are worth every calorie.

McCambridge's: Blogs / Spring Cleaning....

2011-02-13T13:16:06-05:00

The big spring clean is near the end - February is always that kind of month, clearing out the last of Christmas stuff, sorting out stores after the rush, stock counting, cleaning and more cleaning... but thankfully all is done and we have some nice wines to clear. I must say I am quite partial to the red Torres Sangre de Toro, plastic bull included. The following are on sale while stocks last - you need to come to the shop, not available on line.

Barberini Pinot Grigio €14.65 now €7.95 (€6.70 off) Sold Out

Barberini La Morenna Riesling €15.65 now €8.60 (€7.05 off)

Barberini Monte Castello Rosso €15.65 now €8.50 (€7.15 off)

Domaine de la Ferrandiere Chardonnay €9.00 now €5.99 (€3 off)

Montana Pinot Noir Reserve €14.95 now €9.95 (€5 off)

Montana Sauvignon Blanc €14.95 now €9.95 (€5 off)

Torres San Valetine €10.50 now €7.99 (€2.51 off)

Torres Vina Sol €10 now €7.99 (€2 off)

Torres Tempranillo €11.50 now €9.60 (€1.90 off)

Torres Sangre de Toro €10.50 now €8.95 (€1.55 off)

Runamok Merlot €8.99 now €6.99 (€2 off)

TerraMater Reserva Sangiovese €11.95 now €8.95 (€3 off)

TerraMater Reserva Merlot €11.95 now €8.95 (€3 off)

TerraMater Reserva Shiraz €11.95 now €8.95 (€3 off)

Michel Lynch Reserve Graves €13.95 now €8.95 (€5 off)

Wolf Blass Cabernet Sauvignon Yellow Label €9.50 now €7.99 (€1.51 off)

Wolf Blass Shiraz Red Label €9.50 now €7.99(€1.51 off)

McCambridge's: Blogs / Donegal Rapeseed Oil

2011-02-04T15:08:52-05:00

I was watching Nevin McGuire's new series on Thursday (Nevin McGuire's Home Chef, RTE 1, 8.30, Thursdays). I love Nevins enthusiasm and his love of food. He champions local high quality products, and Donegal Rapeseed Oil was his chosen oil for cooking throughout the programme. Many of us in McCambridge's have also started using this product and we all like it lots!

The seed rape crops which produce the oil are grown by specially selected, individual, small farm holdings dispersed throughout Donegal. After harvesting the seed is then transported the short distance to Erganagh Dairies near Castlederg. The seeds are cold pressed and filtered through a simple process, which gives you the term "Virgin Rapeseed Oil". The oil is then bottled, labelled and packed for distribution. It is an excellent quality oil which has gone through the simplest processes to give you a product which is as close to nature as you can possibly get.

The oil has huge health benefits, with it being high in omega 3, 6 & 9. It is different from the American rapeseed oils as it is not genetically modified and it has 11 times more Omega 3 than olive oil. This oil contains a low level of saturated fat.

I find that it has a lovely nutty flavour and a light amber colour. I use it for cooking, but also salad dressings and marinades. The quality of the oil is consistently good. High quality Irish oils are hard to come, so go and try this one, you won't be disappointed.

By the way Billy Keady, a good pal, is in charge of all the photography for Nevins program, so well done Billy!

McCambridge's: Blogs / TerraMater Wines

2011-01-21T10:00:09-05:00

TerraMater Wines was founded in 1996, when the Canepa sisters Gilda, Edda and Antonieta linked their extensive vineyard holdings (which had been in the family producing the finest quality grapes since the 1940s) and constructed a state-of-the art winery. They are located in the Maipo region, south of Santiago, Chile.

The Company has consistently produced excellent wines since its conception - with long lists of awards from around the world. McCambridges have been dealing directly with TerraMater for more than 10 years, growing with the company and shipping their wines directly from Chile. This gives us the opportunity to pick and choose the best Terramater can offer and to be able to offer very good value to our customers. We have cut out the middle men and distributers who all add to the cost. We have found Terramater have a similar ethos to ours - they are a small family owned company who strive for the highest quality wines in smaller quantities, and have a limited distribution.

I regularly buy the range. The vineyard reserve selection of wines are one of my 'everyday' (well at least most Saturday nights) favourites. These normally retail at €9.50. The next step up is the Limited Reserve (or Reserva) range. These wines come from carefully selected lots of the best grapes they produce. The limited range include only 100% pure Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sangiovese. These are normally €11.95 a bottle and really worth the extra couple of euros. The range is persistent, round and very fruity. The taste really is lovely, and a definite step up from the regular range. I am a fan of the Sangiovese which is not a well known as the others. It's rich, complex and the taste really lasts, and goes really well with Italian food.

At the moment we have the Reserva range of Sangiovese 2006, Merlot 2005 and Shiraz 2006 on special at €8.95. If you are a red wine fan do give them a try!

I will have more anon on the other Terramater Ranges.

Check out their website www.terramater.cl for more information.

McCambridge's: Blogs / Green Spot pure Irish pot still whiskey

2010-12-29T06:45:39-05:00

Happy New Year! The madness is over, the shop is back to normal, except for a few stray boxes of Christmas Crackers, a mince pie or two and the odd chocolate santa. We are in the midst of the tidy up, and I decided to give you a bit on random info on one of our more interesting products...

In days of old, many hundreds of wine merchants would fill their own casks with the spirit from their local distilleries and sell it under their own brand name. But all that changed when distillers became proprietorial and wished, often with good reason, due to the dubious practises of some merchants, to have complete control over any whiskey which bore their name . As businesses closed or merged, brands were lost. Others decided not to compete with the ever more powerful distillers. Some distillers simply refused to supply the whiskey. Green Spot is the sole surviving pure Irish pot still whiskey produced by an Irish wine merchant.

There are no exact record as to when the brand was first sold, but certainly by the early 1920s the long-established wine merchants of Mitchell and Son of Kildare Street, Dublin, were annually putting aside 100 sherry hogsheads to be filled at Jameson's Bow Street distillery. So that the whiskey would not be too overpowered by the wine, half the casks used had held oloroso and other dark sherries; the other half were the former homes of lighter finos. The Jameson pot still would mature for five years in those casks before being vatted together and then allowed to blend and mature for a further five years in those same butts in Mitchell's warehouses in Fitzwilliam Lane.

The current Green Spot is made entirely from seven and eight year old Midleton pot still, with 25% coming from sherry cask, which is quite evident in its aroma and taste. It remains the longest running pot still whiskey to continuously remain on the shelves.

Only 500 cases are made each year, only to be sold in Ireland. We always carry a stock of Green Spot which is sold in the shop for €41.95.

'This is a tremendous whiskey, sometimes giving a sweet-honey feel more associated with Perthshire malts from Scotland. But the pot still is confident enough to confirm this as Irish with a maturity greater than the age of the whiskey used. If you see it, grab it. It's too much of a high class one-off to ignore.' Jim Murray from his book Irish Classic Whiskey

McCambridge's: Blogs / Christmas on Shop Street

2010-12-18T04:31:22-05:00

The shop is mad, the queues are pretty big, and the chocolates, mince meat, cranberry sauce and brandy and flying out the door. I am pretty tired, but I never get tired of the great atmosphere on Shop St coming up to Christmas. Various groups of carol singers (and it must be said of very varied talent) congregate and do their stuff. Various buskers also do their bit.

At the moment my favourite buskers are the band Key West, who usually pitch opposite Easons. They are raising money so they can record another album and they are great. If you pass them by make sure you throw in a few euros. Have a chat too, they are a really nice bunch of fellas, and probably the next U2!

Happy Christmas and very merry New Year to all! Nollaig Shona daoibh go leir.

McCambridge's: Gallery / A busy night at the fair

2010-12-08T11:02:55-05:00

McCambridge's: Gallery / Having a laugh at McCambridges food & wine fair

2010-12-08T11:01:02-05:00

McCambridge's: Gallery / Pat McCambridge

2010-12-08T10:59:55-05:00

McCambridge's: Blogs / McCambridges Food and Wine Fair

2010-12-08T10:45:03-05:00

I am a bit behind with the blog, apologies but busy Christmas is kicking in. We had a great night at the annual Christmas food & wine Fair in the Ardilaun Hotel last Thursday week (is it 10 days ago already?). Thanks to all of you who came, I hope you had a great time. Apologies about the traffic for a while trying to get into the Ardilaun, lots of people all decided to come at the same time, we will have better traffic control in place next year. I have posted some pictures on our website at

http://mccambridges.com/index.php?module=gallery&parent=mccambridges_photos&show=category&category=mccambridges_food_and_wine_fair_2010

you might find yourself there. There are also loads of photos on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/McCambridges Congratulations to those who won our free raffle, with hampers, a bronze turkey, wine packs and Bellissimo vouchers as prizes. Many thanks to Bellissimo for the vouchers.

Our food suppliers came up trumps on the night. Green saffron had delicious mulled wine made from their mulled wine spices, and a great lamb curry made from their spice blend. Tara Cakes had fab plum puddings, and old favourites Kylemore Abbey puddings were as popular as ever. I heard a lot of people oooh and aaah over James McGeoughs air dried lamb, Butlers hot chocolate was mobbed all evening, and Galway Cupcakery were cleaned out.

I hope we see you when we do it all again next year!

McCambridge's: Gallery / Natalie and Luke pulling the raffle prizes at the fair

2010-12-08T10:15:31-05:00

McCambridge's: Gallery / Festive times at the Christmas Food and Wine Fair

2010-12-08T09:54:37-05:00

McCambridge's: Gallery / Enjoying the food & wine fair

2010-12-08T09:53:37-05:00

McCambridge's: Gallery / McCambridges Food & Wine Fair 2010

2010-12-08T09:52:20-05:00

McCambridge's: Gallery / norma mccambridge with robin and keith at the food & wine fair 2010

2010-12-08T09:50:53-05:00

McCambridge's: Gallery / Tommy from Ponaire at McCambridges Food & Wine Fair

2010-12-08T09:49:11-05:00

McCambridge's: Gallery / Mary at mccambridges food and wine fair 2010

2010-12-08T09:47:17-05:00

McCambridge's: Blogs / Christmas Hampers - tips on putting together a custom hamper.

2010-11-25T09:10:31-05:00

I have finally posted the full range of Christmas Hampers and Wine Gift Packs on the site. This is a range of seasonal hampers filled with really good food and wines. I try to use Irish products as much as possible. You can order now.

We also create custom hampers. You can come into the shop and pick out a variety of products which we then pack into a suitable basket, wrap, and add a ribbon. Here are a few tips which I have found help when creating your own hamper.

Lots of small things are much nicer than a few big things - smaller boxes of chocs, really nice bars of chocolate(like Blake's Organic from Galway) jars of chutney(Builin Blasta from Spiddal), jam or marmalade, a small farmhouse cheese, packets of good crackers, packets of really nice biscuits like Border or Dittys. It looks more and there are lots of things to taste. Wine is always good, but unusual beers and ciders work too.

Have a snoop in the person's kitchen! See what type of tea they like, or what jams etc they have in their press. A mixture of things you know they like and some extra nice treats they would not ordinarily buy make a great gift.

If you bring in extra bits we can add them to the custom hamper. Good things are a book, a cd, a gift or book voucher, small toiletries like hand-cream, lip balm, body lotion, and shaving cream, small articles of clothing like gloves, scarf, or socks, small soft toys

Make your own hamper - look out for interesting boxes, tins, even buckets to use. TK Maxx is good for this or keep an eye on jumble sales. You could make a gardening hamper with a good bucket, maybe gardening gloves, a nice hand cream, a packet of seeds, fine tea (like Clive McCabes Irish Breakfast Tea) and good biscuits.

A cooks hamper could include a funny apron (I saw some in Woodies) some funky kitchen implements (Ryans Homestore is great for these), and then Organic Herb Co. selection of herbs, a bottle of good olive oil or maybe Donegal Rapeseed oil to keep it Irish, Noodle House pasta, Maldon Sea Salt, McCambridge's 250g bar of dark cooking chocolate, and a good bottle of wine. You could even put it all in a big saucepan!

I hope this inspires you....

McCambridge's: Blogs / Galway Christmas Market 2010

2010-11-19T10:57:12-05:00

The market is now officially open! We have a stand, very festively decorated by Natalie. We are selling lots of cupcakes from Galway cupcakery and lots of Christmassy things, including our hampers. There are Christmas chocolates, lollies, candy canes, biscuits and more. Come up and have a look. We are beside Santa's grotto, close to the tepee (no bad jokes please).

I have just had a good wander around. The square is looking great, and there is a good atmosphere there already. It's a perfect place for a market, with all the paths and green areas. Having it next to the bus and train stations makes it really convenient if you are coming from out of town. Some nice stuff I spotted - beautiful wooden Christmas decorations, Go Dutch flowers, Native American Indian crafts and a few nice jewellery stalls. Being into food I am always drawn to the food stalls. Beautiful macaroons from Belgium, the bratwurst stalls with glutwein and French doughnuts and waffles were a few of the nice ones. There is a great potato one near the beer tent too.

Come and have a wander, the opening is tonight at 6pm

McCambridge's: Blogs / McCambridge's Food & Wine Fair 2010

2010-11-12T06:50:21-05:00

November has come around awfully quickly(with the weather to prove it). Natalie is in the midst of organising our annual Christmas Food & Wine Fair. It is on in the Ardilaun Hotel, Taylor's Hill, on Thursday 25^th November from 5pm - 9pm. Tickets are €15 and available in the shop, or from the various local schools we are supporting this year. We also support Gra, which is a local group for families of children with autism.

The schools participating this year are Colaiste Iognaid(Jes), Dominican College(Taylors), St Mary's College, Gaelscoil Dara, and Galway Educate Together which we are delighted to support. My kids go the Jes and I know that they are working very hard on raising money for the new school building, so everything helps.

If you are looking for an evening to try some new wines, along with some very tasty festive foodie treats please come along. What happens is that lots of our suppliers come along with samples of their wares to taste. We will have lots of Irish cheeses, chocolates, cakes, chutneys, jams, free range turkey and more to taste. Interspersed with the food are lots of wines to try, and this year we will have some interesting beers to try too. Keep an eye out for more details to follow.

McCambridge's: Store / Beers of the World Hamper

2010-11-08T12:28:59-05:00

Beers of the World €32 inc. V.A.T

DP Connolly Irish Handmade Crisps 50g x 2

O'Hara's Lann Follain Irish Stout 500ml

Galway Hooker Pale Ale 500ml

Stones Ginger Joe Ginger Beer 330ml

Harviestoun Schiehallion Craft Larger 500ml

Flensburger Pilsener Lager 500ml

Breweyed Blond Pale Ale 330ml

Monteiths Crushed Apple Cider 330ml

McCambridge's: Store / Wine & Chocs Hamper

2010-11-08T12:26:39-05:00

Wine & Chocs Hamper €22 inc. V.A.T

Paso De Sol Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon 75cl
Butlers Irish Chocolates 160g

McCambridge's: Store / Jameson 12 year Old Whiskey Basket

2010-11-08T12:23:48-05:00

Jameson 12yr Old Basket €67 inc. V.A.T

Jameson 12 Year Old Whiskey 70cl
Skelligs Whiskey Crème Truffles 175g
Jameson Limited Edition Hip Flask

McCambridge's: Store / Rowan (Caorthann) Hamper

2010-11-08T12:20:54-05:00

Rowan(Caorthann) €25 inc. V.A.T

Butlers Irish Chocolates 160g

Follain Orange Marmalade with Whiskey 227g

McCambridge's Milk Chocolate Bar 100g

Dittys Irish Butter Shortbread 200g

Wicklow Boiled Sweets 150g