"A walk on the Wild Side" is the title of a day out with Darina Allen of Ballymaloe Cookery School on September 16th. The day is split in two and the morning involves foraging in the countryside for foods to eat while the afternoon is spent turning the spoils into jams, jellies, soups salads and syrups. A light lunch is included and the cost of the day is £85.

Ballymaloe will also host a wild mushroom hunt on September 30th and participants will be taught to how to identify which are edible and which need to be avoided. Ireland boasts a rich bounty of wild mushrooms and over 30 different edible varieties are available if you know where to look. The cost of the day is £85 and lunch is included. To book either course telephone (021) 646785 or e-mail enquiries@ballymaloe-cookeryschool.ie