The Golden Vale covers parts of Limerick, Tipperary and Cork. It is known as the most fertile land in Ireland. The livestock and horticultural processes of the area are admired and studied the world over. It’s no surprise, then, that the food that ends up on your plate and the drink that fills your glass at any of its many celebrated restaurants, pubs and cafés is to such a high standard.

Take, for example, Munster’s many Michelin-starred restaurants. The Oak Room at Adare Manor (Adare Co. Limerick. Tel: 061 605 200, [email protected]), Cliff House in Ardmore (Middle Road, Ardmore, Co. Waterford. Tel: 024 87800, [email protected]), Ichigo Ichie in Cork (5 Fenns Quay, Cork City. Tel: 021 427 9997, [email protected]) and Bastion in Kinsale (Main Street, Kinsale, Co. Cork. Tel: 021 470 9696, [email protected]), all showcase the very finest of Ireland’s seasonal produce from both land and sea. Each of these multiple-award winning restaurants then applies the kind of magic to the ingredients that turns them into spectacular dishes that have to be tasted to be believed. Be it modern Irish or traditional Japanese, it is all there on the plate!

Of course, the best of local ingredients can also be found in restaurants that put the emphasis on a casual atmosphere, great value,or on being family-friendly. For example, The Mad Fish restaurant at Cronin’s traditional pub (1 Point Road, Crosshaven, Co. Cork. Tel: 021 483 1829, croninspub.com) serves up delicious, award-winning seafood using the best of local oysters, mussels and fresh fish landed daily. Also known for its succulent seafoods is the multi-award winning The Locke Bar (3 George’s Quay, Limerick. Tel: 061 413 733, lockebar.com) at the heart of Limerick’s historic Medieval Quarter. Another great place to sample local fare is at Barron’s Bakery and Coffee House in Cappoquin (4 Cooke Street, Cappoquin, Waterford. Tel: 058 54045, barronsbakery.ie). Thought to be the oldest bakery in Ireland, Barron’s employs the same traditional bread-making methods used since it was opened in 1887.

After a long day sampling the best food and drink Munster has to offer, there are loads of brilliant options for a relaxing overnight stay. From the five-star luxury of hotels like The Old Bank House (11 Pearse Street, Sleveen, Co. Cork. Tel: 021 477 4075, oldbankhousekinsale.com) and Dromoland Castle Hotel (Dromoland, Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare. Tel: 061 368 144, dromoland.ie), to family-run destinations like Casey’s Hotel (The Village, Glengarriff, Co. Cork. Tel: 027 63010, caseyshotelglengarriff.ie) on the Beara Peninsula and the Gougane Barra lakeside hotel in Cork (Derreenacusha, Gougane Barra, Co. Cork. Tel: 026 47069, gouganebarrahotel.com), these are just a few perfect places from which to base your taste adventures.

While you’re in the area: Why not get out on the water for a fantastic boat trip with Killaloe River Cruises (Lakeside Drive Ballina, Killaloe, Co. Clare. Tel: 086 814 0559, killaloerivercruises.com). Their daily cruises take in the spectacular sights of Lough Derg and the River Shannon. The more adventurous might prefer to get up-close-and-personal with their surroundings on a kayaking trip on the West Cork coastline, or a paddle under the bridges of Cork City with Atlantic Sea Kayaking (The Abbey, Skibbereen, Co. Cork. Tel: 028 210 58, atlanticseakayaking.com).

MEET THE MAKER:

The Dingle Whiskey Distillery (Farrenredmond, Dingle, Co. Kerry. Tel: 066 402 9011, dingledistillery.ie) is not in the business of creating megabrands. Instead, they take an artisan approach, with an emphasis on achieving the highest quality. In the process, they have played a central part in reviving the tradition of independent distilling in Ireland. The distillery welcomes visitors to enjoy a tour of their facility, where the entire production process for all their products is explained, and a gin/vodka sample is provided.

With these exciting events taking place across the country, there are no excuses for staying home this autumn. Get out and discover Ireland’s fantastic food culture, and explore the incredible journey from farm to fork, with the heroes who make it all happen. For further information about Taste The Island’s events and activities taking place over the coming weeks, see discoverireland.ie/taste-the-island.