stellinas

The week of the county fayre had finally arrived and all of Bundoran was buzzing with activity and excitement. In their fairly rural community nothing much ever happened, so the ladies were all preparing in a big way, even sewing new outfits and purchasing new hats, in the hopes that the weather would stay fine which, in Ireland, was pretty much based on faith and miracles, even in summertime.

Of course, the county fayre highlights were the cookery competitions, in particular, the cup for the best, tastiest, traditional Irish stew.There were one or two excellent contenders as always, Assumpta Duncannon, renowned for her soups and wholesome, hearty stews was the clear favourite.Then, Fiona Donelly, apart from her stews, she made mouth-watering pies and quiches.Sian and Niamh, the O'Connor twins, were a dab hand at the stew too, but their preserves, jams were delicious and had not been beaten for four years in a row! Elizabeth MacDonald, whose husband Jim worked at the brewery, was a fine baker whose bread and cakes were as light as angel food. Mary Collins was the doctor's wife, her first time entering as she was fairly new to the area, Ciara Aherne, the dressmaker and Clodagh Drinnen, the domestic science teacher from the secondary school. So, there was a lot of stiff competition this year. Assumpta, since starting work at the brewery, had bought a very fine new frock in emerald green and planned on wearing her new hat courtesy of the lads sin tin a few weeks ago, when she had put her foot down about the bad language in the canteen.

In the weeks leading up to the fayre, the households in Bundoran ate heartily, some even had to let their belts out a little due to the extra experimenting and tasting, not that they were complaining of course. The ladies had heard on the grapevine that there was to be a mystery judge this year, anonymous to all. Because no one actually knew who that was to be, they all became extra nice to those they knew would not be entering the competitions;

''Ah, would ye not sit yeself down Seamus and have a cuppa and help yeself to a strawberry tart or two my lad ?'', the milkman was beginning to think he would never get his rounds finished before the next morning arrived!

''Oh, father, please take a veal and ham pie home for ye supper would ye not, and a quiche fer tomorrow, I have six and here's a bottle of the black stuff to wash it down !'', Father Casey wasn't about to complain on his meagre salary.

'Ah Mrs. Farrell, how about a tray of scones for those wee ones, take your pick, there are six different kinds from cheese to blueberry'', Mrs Farrell was grateful for anything that could keep her six children quite for a while.

And on it went, with everyone lapping up the treatment and extra goodies on offer.
Elizabeth's husband Jim, being a supervisor at the brewery, was also treated to a myriad of baked goods, accepting each one with the lusty appetite of a hardworking man.The stew, however, was never shared. None of the contestants wanted anyone to taste their stews before the day for fear of guessing any extra special ingredients, the recipes being closely guarded secrets.

Finally ,the day of the competition arrived and with it the sun made one of her rare appearances as though she were also curious to see who the mystery judge was.The ladies were all there in their full splendour, magnificent hats on parade and donned in a colourful array of dresses.

There was much curiosity too when they saw that there had been an eighth entry in the stew round.There were no names on the front of the cards, only numbers, as was the usual way, so that judges could be objective in their decisions. They were also shuffled around so that the contestants would not know either until the winners were announced, their stews having been put in identical earthenware casserole pots provided by the fayre commitee. A flurry of excitement ensued as the mystery judge was introduced, none other than Liam O' Leary, Ireland's foremost food critic and famous restaurateur.
Handsome, dark features, sparkling blue eyes and a charming way about him had the ladies adding fresh lipstick a little more often than usual.

The moment had come! All the stews had been sampled, savoured with oohs and aahs and appreciative nods of heads. Liam O' Leary stood on the podium to announce the winners.

''Well now, some fine stews here to be sure, grand flavours, fine consistencies, yes indeed, a grand collection of stew I'd be proud to serve in my restaurants'' he beamed at the ladies in the front row.
''However, a choice had to be made and it was! Third prize goes to number six, that is Mary Collins!, Well done, Mary ,a sumptious stew indeed!'' Mary blushed as Liam shook her hand and winked disarmingly.
Everyone clapped politely, but were a little miffed at the newcomer getting third place.

''Now then, second place goes to number two, Assumpta Duncannon! What a tasty repast my dear!''
Mrs Duncannon could hardly believe her own ears, second place! Second place! She had romped home every year for the past six years with first place! Who in the name of all that is holy could have beaten her? ! Still she smiled graciously, though a little forced, as she went up on the podium, shook Liam's hand and accepted her cup.

''Now for the winner! I have to say, it has been a long time since I ate a stew as good as this one with such a wonderful flavour! The winning cup goes to number eight!''
Ah number eight ,the late entry, the mystery ,who could it be they all thought as eyes scanned the crowd.
Then in a sea of open mouths and astonished glances, Jim MacDonald stepped up to collect his prize, grinning from ear to ear.

''Well now Jim, laughed Liam, ''a great stew to be sure mo chara, how did you manage to beat these fine ladies then? ! ''
'' Ah well,ye see Liam, 'tis my secret ingredient so it is and if I tell ye, I'll have to kill ye''
everyone roared with laughter, except for Assumpta Duncannon who was still smarting from her seond placement.
Jim shot her a triumphant glance as he passed by patting his jacket pocket wherein lay his secret ingredient,.... a nice half bottle of fine Irish malt.

TRADITIONAL IRISH STEW
Cooking Time
150 Minutes
Serves
4 -6 People

INGREDIENTS
About 1kg/2¼ lb scrag end or neck of Calvey’s Achill Mountain Lamb on the bone
2 carrots
1 large onion
2 celery sticks
1 leek
2-3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 large bay leaf
1 large sprig fresh thyme
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
150g/5oz small carrots
150g/5oz baby or pickling onions
1 large floury potato, about 300g/10oz weight, peeled and diced finely
2 spring onions, thinly sliced
A little fresh chopped parsley