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Mannings Emporium
Bantry | CorkGourmet Food Shop | Delicatessen
Val Manning was operating the Good food Ireland principle long before GFI ever existed. It’s down in no small way to this man that the first artisans of West Cork got their feet under them. Val was one of the few to sell Veronica Steele’s Milleens cheese when she first made it back in the seventies. From there he supported the numerous other small producers and cheese makers in this area, known for its gargantuan contribution to Ireland’s modern food revolution. And here is one of the men, and indeed one of the shops, that made that revolution happen.
When we visited this local grocer’s shop in Ballylickey, on the way to Bantry, Val had just looked after a tour bus full of customers and was busy serving another small group of Canadians, who had come seeking out his ‘Emporium’ from hearing and reading about it in numerous places. They weren’t disappointed when they found it! And there was the man himself, behind the counter, as he always is, day in, day out, offering slivers of this, tastes of that, until his customers make up their minds what they want to take away. And they always take away much more than just a bag full of wonderful food. To visit here is to visit a food Mecca. And to speak to Val is to chat to a man who knows everything there is to know about local food, and can give you a potted history of anything he sells. Val is a real ‘Slow Foodie’ actively involved with that international philosophy of ‘Good Clean Fair’ food – and he carries that philosophy through his business. The shelves are stacked high with the finest this country has to offer, with goods and produce from Europe and further afield too.
Manning’s Emporium is easily spotted on the sweeping bay road to Bantry. It has a very continental look, despite it being one of the oldest shops in the area. Val is a second generation shopkeeper, looking after this place since the late 70’s, and the premises have been in the family since the 1940’s.
Now the third generation has come onboard, Vals niece Laura and her husband Andrew are now at the helm and have extended the offering to include an indoor as well as outdoor seating area where cheese and charcuterie boards are served with freshly baked bread and antipasti.
A striped awning adorns the front of the shop, covering the array of wooden vegetable baskets on display underneath. These contain the best fresh produce from the locality and more. In summer, locally grown green beans, peas, salad leaves, tomatoes and strawberries are here, alongside more exotic, tropical fruits. Winter finds more traditional carrots, turnips, cabbages, Swedes and parsnips, and good old fashioned Irish potato varieties like Kerr Pinks. Inside, the place really lives up to its name - this is an ‘Emporium’ in the truest sense, with row after higgledy piggledy row of jars and containing all manner of good things to eat. The deli counter displays a vast choice of Irish and Contintental cheeses. Like we said, this was the place to find the earliest West Cork offerings, which have now been added to by cheese makers all over Ireland. It flies the flag for a thriving industry and boasts Gubbeen, Durrus, Gabriel, Desomond, Milleens, Carrigaline Farmhouse, Cooleeney Gortnamore, Cashel Blue and Crozier. Alongside these sit St Augur, Chaumes, Buffalo Mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano. Bacon, sausages and rashers from GFI member Jack McCarthy are here, with Ummera smoked chicken and organic smoked salmon. Breads from the Breadcrumb Bakery in Kenmare spill golden and glowing from baskets by the till. Cork Chocolatier Casey O’Connaill’s creations are piled right by the door, where you can hardly resist popping a bar or two in with your shopping before you pay! A superb range of dried goods includes proper risotto rice, dried pulses and beans, spices, oriental sauces and flavourings, flours including the extra special local Macroom wholemeal, and much more. The wines here are enough to send a buff into a frenzy of buying. Some unusual wineries and vintages can be sought out. They alos have the Amador Parreno wines as their house wine and we also have a wide range of other wines to suit all tastes and budgets. Laura and Andrew have also installed a new coffee machine and offer a selection of teas, coffees and pastries
While you here, enjoy browsing the curious selection of vintage cigarette packs and old LP covers which Val has collected over the years. There are picnic tables outside, so you can sit and enjoy some cheese, charcuterie and bread in the sun if the weather is with you.
News:
Mannings Emporium have exciting times ahead in November with a launch of a Christmas shop and a bespoke hamper service whereby customers can come in and select the items that they want for their hamper and we'll make it up for them onsite. Chekc review for further updates.
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Reviews
Yummy We ate lunch here in October 2010, when we were holidaying in nearby Glengarriff. What a delicious, leisurely lunch we had of cheeses, meats, chutney and mouthwatering fresh breads Bought some semi sundried tomatoes to take away and have searched to much disappointment to find similar in my part of the country Tipperary. Only thing for it is to take a trip back there, it is a wonderful treat to the senses, tasty foods, exciting things to see, nostril assaulting scents, a superb ambiance about the place. Visit, You will not be disappointed, I promise!
Visited Mannings in May while over for a wedding in Glengariffe. Had a wonderful couple of hours blethering with Val and having some of his cheeses, pickles, chutneys etc etc. Lovely, knowledgeable man, who told us about the foods we were eating and also some local history, particularly rivalry between Cork Kerry. I am planning a trip to Ireland in August and intend to return for lunch at Vals.
Tom and I met Val recently while visiting West Cork friends, Padriag Whelan and Fionuala Walsh. Pat and Fin introduced us to Val and the array of wonderful cheeses and meats he stocks. What a wonderful place indeed Worth a trip back to Ireland
Contact Details
To Contact a Member Directly, please click on the email or website below
BallylickeyBantry
Co Cork
+353 (0) 2750456
Email: lauracmanning@gmail.com
Web: www.manningsemporium.ie/
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