acknowledgements

I would first like to thank Deirdre Nolan and Sarah Liddy at Gill Books for the opportunity to write this cookbook. They both had great faith in me – I think it was the wild garlic bread that won them over! Thanks also to Catherine Gough, Teresa Daly and Emma Lynam at Gill Books for all their help.

Thanks to Joanne Murphy for her great eye and attention to detail and to Orla Neligan for her great style and taste. Both are a pleasure to work with.

To Kristin Jensen, many thanks for your patience and professionalism and complete love of fresh herbs!

Thank you to Bridget O’Dea from Purcell Masterson and all the team. You are a cracker and a great support who is always there for me.

Thank you to The Olde Post Inn team for all your support from the get-go, especially to Garrett Galligan, who was cracking the whip and without whom I could not have put this book together. The truly gifted pastry chef that is Brid Teevan tirelessly retried recipes for me again and again. I am truly blessed to be working with her.

To Catherine Fox, thank you for the dig-out with the typing and sampling. Thanks also to David Molloy in DT One Menswear in Cavan.

I’m delighted to live and work in County Cavan. It’s a great place to be a restaurateur and chef, so many thanks to all of those involved in the excellent tourism board and county council.

To all the close family, friends and babysitters – you know who you are – thank you.

Thank you Orán, Lorcan, Emma and Eoin for being my official tasters and never once refusing, especially the cookies!

And lastly, to my wife, Tara, for all the laughs and debate, thank you so very much.