Irish Wine Master Ray O’Connor on His Galway Favourites and New Rosé
Ray O’Connor has just launched Le Grand Palme, a new premium Provence rosé, exclusively available at O’Briens Wine.
Described as a celebration of both beauty and resilience shared by Provence and Ireland, it is crafted in the renowned Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence appellation using a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Rolle, Le Grand Palme has a delicate peach-pink hue. With notes of wild strawberry, raspberry, pink grapefruit and an elegant mineral finish, it’s perfect for summer sipping – so we thought we'd ask Ray to share his favourite summer spots in the west.
With family from Dunmore and Kinvara, Ray knows the spots for long walks and celebrations.
Ard Bia
One of the best meals I had in Galway was at Ard Bia. We went for dinner and the freshness and the quality of the produce really stood out and you could tell a lot of hard work and thoughtfulness had gone into those selections in the kitchen. In fact, it was so good, we came back the next day for lunch. These fresh flavours are ideal for Provence rose.
Kai has to be another stand out spot in Galway. Always busy and consistently knocking out great food and service. They have a wide wine selection there which compliments all the food, so the guys really know what they’re doing!
A place I’m dying to try out is Fawn in Oranmore. My aunts tell me it is next level. Their attention to detail and quality produce resonates with Le Grand Palme, whereby taking that extra bit of time to execute the quality pays off in the long run.
Then, I would naturally switch from rosé to Guinness and make for Connolly's in Kinvara. We’ve had some great sessions in there with my aunt on guitar, my uncle on banjo and my other aunt singing, all along with all the other musicians. Creamy pints and happy memories – what else do you need?
In Roundstone, you can’t beat having a drink (of any sort) with a bowl of chowder sitting on the wall outside of O'Dowd’s, with the lobster pot on the short pier below and people coming and going. My whole family descends there for Easter every year. I knew I had made it when I came third place in the annual hat parade on Easter Sunday one year.
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