Lord knows there are plenty of old convents scattered around the landscape; in the past three years, two thirtysomethings, Dermot Gannon from Connemara and his American wife Christine, have transformed the Old Convent in Clogheen, Co Tipperary (pictured), into a secular retreat and gourmet restaurant with polished service and a memorable tasting menu.

Phones and TVs are banished – as are children – in this country hideaway. The Old Convent won the top prize in Good Food Ireland'sAwards announced last Monday, so make your reservations soon.

There was good news for the Irish food scene from further afield too, when Neil Tanner, a graudate of Fáilte Ireland’s 16-week culinary skills training course, won a national Spanish tapas-making competition recently in Valladolid. Tanner won the student section of the competition with his Irish breakfast-inspired, sausage-shaped presentation of black pudding, chorizo, dry cured bacon, mushroom and quail’s egg, served on mini potato farls. The judging panel included Ferran Adrià of El Bulli.