Herring gulls call as a fisherman hauls in lobster pots, just 50 metres from shore at Howth, Co. Dublin. Recorded just after sunrise on the 28th January 2023, with a Dodotronic HiSound Parabola.

Herring Gulls and Fisherman

Howth

The Primal Light

(Arthur Griffith)

As in contemplation and meditation
For recreation, at evening’s close,
I wandered gaily down past the Bailey
Where night and daily the water flows.
Old Sol resplendent in the ascendant
Shed his transcendent, effulgent rays;
And I mused and pondered as I idly wandered
On the Lights they squandered in the Primal Days.

I heard a noise and I raised my eyes and —
May I be pysoned! but I saw a sight
Whose awful wonder took my legs from under,
And broke asunder my powers of flight.
'Twas no grim gnome or wild spectral roamer
But ancient Homer, I'll take my oath,
That took a notion to leave the ocean
And with agile motion popped onto Howth.

He wore the morning no jewels adorning
Nor raiment shining, with golden lining
And gems entwining through everywhere;
Nor nice and cosy no shoes with bows he
Wore on his toes, he just let them sprawl.
Oh! let truth be spoken, though gently broken
Resave the token he wore at all.
“Are you,” say he, “sir, great Julius Casar,
Or Nebuchadnezzar, the baistly King,
Or Mars or Nero or bold Cicero,
Or beauteous Hero — or anything?
Pan, Venus, Bacchus, Horatius Flaccus,
Or Caius Gracchus, or Dian chase,
Or wise Ulysses?” Says I,
‘Lord bless us!
Please stop your guesses — not in the laste!’

“I am not Venus — the Heavens between us!
I am no queen as I am a man,
Nor am I Marta nor ancient Sparta
Nor Magna Carta nor Ispahan;
Nor T. P. Gill, sir (a bitter pill, sir)
But Albert Quill, sir, the Bard of Right.”
He groaned and vanished, for ever banished,
So ends my song of the Primal Light.

The Primal Light

In this Best Possible Taste episode, we’re diving into a story of heritage, craftsmanship, and an exciting new collaboration that brings together two iconic Irish brands.

Sharon Noonan had the pleasure of visiting the picturesque fishing village of Howth in February 2025, to meet brothers Tadgh and Damian O’Meara at their family business, Kish Fish. Founded in 1966 by their father, Kish Fish has grown into one of Ireland’s most respected seafood specialists, supplying the finest seafood to foodservice and retail customers across Ireland.

This visit coincided with a momentous occasion for the company—a rebrand that celebrates their legacy while embracing the future. And what better way to mark this transformation than by partnering with one of the world’s most famous names—GUINNESS™. This official collaboration has led to the creation of an exceptional new product: GUINNESS™ Smoked Salmon By Kish Fish. 

Kish Fish’s rich heritage, passion, and expertise were key to them being entrusted by GUINNESS™, and given their seal of approval, to launch a Smoked Salmon cured using their signature stout that delivers a taste reflecting both brands’ proud Dublin roots.
The initial idea for the uniquely Irish product began life in the Guinness Storehouse, one of Kish Fish’s largest customers. A couple of years ago, the Storehouse’s executive chef, Sean Hunter (of Aramark), began curing Salmon in GUINNESS™ and smoking it himself in very small quantities for tourists to enjoy as part of the visitor experience at St. James's Gate.

Having noted the product’s potential and mass appeal, GUINNESS™ partnered with Kish Fish to further finesse the recipe and use their smoking expertise to develop a GUINNESS™ Smoked Salmon that could be crafted on a much larger scale for wider distribution - a process that they have patiently perfected at their Smokehouse in Howth over the last two years.

In this episode, which was recorded in front of a live audience, you will hear Sharon chat to Tadgh and Damian about their childhood memories from when their father started the business, the impressive growth that Kish Fish has experienced and their commitment to sustainability.

BEST POSSIBLE TASTE IS IRELAND'S LONGEST-RUNNING FOOD & DRINK PODCAST.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.SHARONNOONAN.COM

11 February 2025 - Damian & Tadgh O'Meara

Preab san ol

The Flower of Magherally

Briar and the rose

Beeswing - King of the Pipers

As I lay dreaming

The Auld Triangle

Shenandoah

On a mission to sound record all of Ireland's bird species: I am an ornithologist who loves to get out in and sound record nature. Happiest when as far away from anthropogenic noise as possible, although I do and will record and share it now and then, when I am in an interesting location.

This account is intended to host my longer bird recordings and recordings which don't belong on Xeno-canto (general nature sounds such as waves, weather, etc, as well as any other non-avian sounds)

Most of my birds recordings (almost 5000) can be found on my Xeno-canto page: https://xeno-canto.org/contributor/PAEQEUHPFQ

See my website here: http://irishwildlifesounds.com/

I primarily record with the following:

-Dodotronic Hi-Sound Stereo Parabola
-Audio Technica BP4025
-Clippy EM272 matched pair

-Zoom F6
-Olympus LS-12
-SM4 Mini: 2 x permanent devices living in coastal bird hotspots, recording every night of the year, from dusk to dawn, monitoring nocturnal migration of birds.

Architect ,Animator, musician, collector of time and space. I'm also bad for your teeth.
أعلن كل خطايا أمام الملأ لعلى أتطهر منها.. 
أنا مثال للإنسان الفاسد بل أكثر فاسدا مما يعرفه الناس أنا ابن هذه المرحلة والمرحلة التى سبقت.. تفتح وعيي بالتجربة
  25ينايرالثورية
، أمنت بها ودافعت عنها فرحت بانتصاراتها وتجرعت مرارة هزائمها، هُنت عندما هان كل شىء، وسقطت كما سقط الجميع فى بئر سحيق من اللامبالاة والإحساس بالعجز وقلة الحيلة".

Food and Drink Podcast with Sharon Noonan.
Ireland's longest-running food and drink podcast airing since 2013.

Some people like to blog, Sharon Noonan likes to interview!  In 2013 her food and drink show, Best Possible Taste, premiered on West Limerick 102FM and entertained listeners for 11 years up until October 2024.  

Sharon continues to interview guests from the food and drink scene in Ireland and beyond for the podcast.  From restaurant reviews to discussing current affairs issues affecting the hospitality industry to hearing a famous family recipe to enjoying an award winning artisan product, the topics covered are diverse and delectable.  Happy listening and Bon Appetit!

New tracks tagged #howth