Neven's trail takes him to Waterford in episode finale
In the final episode of his Greenway Food Trails, Neven Maguire cycles the Waterford Greenway. He begins his journey in Dungarvan at the western end of the 46km walking and cycling track and makes his way to Waterford City.
The Greenway follows the route of what was originally the Waterford to Mallow Railway Line with Co. Waterford’s Copper Coast, the Comeragh Mountains and the River Suir all part of the spectacular backdrop.
Before heading out on the Greenway, Neven calls in at the Dún Artisan Bakery for breakfast where he meets Baker and Co-Founder Fergal Walsh. The Dún Artisan Bakery specialises in sour dough products, including breads and pastries such as croissants, pain au chocolat, pastéis de nata, and cinnamon buns.
Still in Dungarvan, the celebrity chef from Cavan visits Churriosity where owner John Curry serves delicious Spanish style churros. John trained with a master churro maker or ‘Churrero’ in Spain before returning to open his own churro shop.
Almost halfway between Dungarvan and Waterford City is Kilmacthomas, where situated on the Greenway, is the former Kilmacthomas Workhouse built in 1851. Since then the building has had many uses but in 2017 Coach House Coffee opened here. Neven calls in to meet co-owner Stephen Lynch who tells him how the Greenway has helped the now thriving 100 seater restaurant.
Neven is joined by local historian and guide Garvan Cummins also known as “The Greenway Man’. Garvan also tells Neven about the Greenway and how in recent years he estimates it has been used by 300,000 to 500,000 visitors, and has brought a surge of new Irish visitors from Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal and Dublin.
Back In Kilmacthomas, Neven cycles over the impressive viaduct, which has spectacular views of the Comeragh Mountains in the distance. Also visible from the viaduct is Flahavan’s oat mill, which Neven last visited 10 years ago. Neven meets Operations Manager Johnny Flahavan, one of the seventh generation of the family to manage the business, and learns how the flapjacks are made. When running at full capacity, Flahavan’s can produce up to 80,000 individual flapjacks per day.
Another great producer within reach of the Greenway is Ballyhussa Dairy Farm where the Kiersey family have been farming since 1780.
Brothers Tom, David and Ivan Kiersey are the seventh generation of the family to farm here. Inspired by the arrival of the Greenway, the brothers decided to use the milk produced on the farm to make ice cream and came up with the catchy name “Freezin’ Friesian”.
Having reached Waterford City, Neven’s final stop is The Granville Hotel. The Granville is one of Ireland’s oldest hotels and the building has been a hotel since the 1800s. It has an interesting history and was the birthplace of Thomas Francis Meagher in 1823 who is credited with designing the green, white and orange tricolour flag that was officially adopted as Ireland’s flag in 1937. Here Neven meets chef Christopher Fitzmaurice who cooks Quality Assured Braised Waterford Lamb Shanks served with Creamy, Buttery Mashed Potatoes, a Red Wine and Thyme reduction, and Roast Vegetables: a hearty meal to end Neven’s Waterford Greenway journey.
Neven’s Greenway Food Trails is produced and directed by David Hare of InProductionTV and sponsored by Bord Bia.
* The programme airs on Wednesday, February 8, on RTÉ One at 8.30pm.