The Irish chef on new ventures, the challenges of cooking game, and giving something back to the countryside.
So what have you been up to, Richard?
“I’ve been flat out…at our hunting lodge in Ireland, busy putting down the foundations of an amazing future horticultural operation. We’ve been at it for the last three years. It’s called Virginia Park Lodge and it has taken over my life a little bit. We’ve had lots of fishing parties there, fly fishing on Lough Sheelin for the wild trout. Lough Sheelin has had huge issues with pollution over the last 50 years, but the lake looks like it’s beginning to come good now.
“And of course grouse started the season off at Corrigan’s and Bentley’s. I also had my first mallards of the season on the menu at Corrigan’s last night. It’s such a great time of year.”
Have you managed to shoot yet this season?
“This is the first year I haven’t been shooting. I normally go up to Northumberland as a guest of someone who has an estate up there. I didn’t go this year because the lodge has pulled me away from what is normally a quiet month of my cooking life. Of course, the lodge is flying now in Ireland; we’ve had a lot of things going on, from weddings to shooting parties and get-togethers. We are just laying out the plans for the next part of the evolution.
“So, no, I haven’t been out shooting yet, which feels really odd. I’m usually out every year and have been across the Pennines and of course over to Northumberland. I like woodcock. I’m not a great duck shooter but I love a bit of snipe. I’m keen to get out, but it won’t be until late in the year.”
Where do you usually try for your woodcock?
Denne historien er fra December 2017-utgaven av Shooting Gazette.
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Denne historien er fra December 2017-utgaven av Shooting Gazette.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
ONE TO ANOTHER
What are the ingredients for a stella season in the field and how should we approach comparing different seasons with each other?
Of tweeds and texts
Like it or not, mobile phones are part and parcel of everyday life. How do you use yours when out in the field, if at all?
The life and times of a retired moorkeeper
The remarkable story of one man's passion for gamekeeping and fieldsports.
Masters of our own destiny
While resistance to moving on from lead shot is deep rooted, game shooting can make great strides in securing its future if it changes now
The year past, THE YEAR TO COME
Shooting Gazette asked a host of leading figures in the game shooting community for their reflections on the highs and lows of 2019, what they are looking forward to about 2020 and also the one issue they are concerned about in the year ahead.
Davenport House Estate SHROPSHIRE
A shoot running on new lines uses its time-served assets to bring traditional shooting to a modern audience.
A WEIGHT ON YOUR MIND
Keeping ourselves in tip-top condition needn't be seen as nannying because we all know that when we see it elsewhere in our daily lives
Range Rover Evoque
Every bit the proper Range Rover, as Ben Samuelson explains.
The Keeper's View
Headkeeper David Whitby ponders the impact a ban on lead shot would have on shooting.
What December Means To Me…
When Shooting Gazette’s venerable list of writers and photographers aren’t producing thought-provoking copy and truly outstanding images, they are out in the field at every opportunity. December is a month just like any other, but with temperatures low and spirits high as Christmas approaches, we thought we’d share with you what our people get up to at this time of year.
