Easy to spot with its white walls and beautiful hanging baskets - and the cast iron farm gates wide open in a welcoming, “Come say Hello”, type of way - cheesemaker Helen Finnegan's café is at Knockdrinna Farm on the main street of the charming little Kilkenny village of Stoneyford.
Alongside a yard, where you can sit out on sunny days, this homely spot has a country cottage feeling with whitewashed stone walls and a little kitchen-cum-café, where there are just a few tables.
Almost everything on the menu is cooked freshly here each day and everything else is sourced from excellent local suppliers, including favourites like the delicious trout paté from Mags Kirwan of Goatsbridge Trout Farm farm just down the road.
The tempting array of good things on display includes homemade soup, savoury pies and quiches, wholesome hot dishes including the house Irish Stew (with carrots), delicious salads and a temptin selection of freshly made desserts and cakes. These are also available to take away - just perfect for a picnic on a fine day.
It's a popular meeting place for the lucky locals - and visitors in the know, who who drop in for a tasty bite and perhaps to buy some of Helen's superb cheese.
***Helen also runs cheese-making courses - for more infromation visit the website www.knockdrinna.com
