Two Donegal businesses have teamed up to create a unique seafood taste experience in the popular fishing port of Killybegs.
Atlantic Treasures – The Fish Stop and Hughie’s Bar launched the new Hooked & Cooked Seafood Experience last month and the ‘catchy’ new idea is proving popular with locals and visitors to the town.
The Hooked & Cooked Seafood Experience invites visitors to hand-select their own fresh fish and seasoning from The Fish Stop, before taking their cook-bag to the newly revamped Hughie’s Bar, where it will be cooked, garnished with a side dish, plated and served. The experience is suitable for children and adults and costs €15 per person.
Local fishmonger, Ronan Cunningham, who will welcome visitors to The Fish Stop for the Hooked & Cooked experience
Available from Tuesday to Saturday, the fresh fish options include haddock, cod, hake, salmon and plaice, and the seasoning and glaze options are Garlic & Mediterranean Herbs Glaze, Tomato & Herbs Glaze, Ginger, Chilli & Lime Glaze, Lemon Twister Seasoning or Salt & Chilli Seasoning.
Local businessmen Hugh O’Donnell of Hughie’s Bar and Michael O’Donnell of Atlantic Treasures – The Fish Stop, developed the idea earlier this year to give visitors an opportunity to sample fresh Atlantic catch and experience an authentic Donegal welcome along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Ronan Cunningham (left) and Michael O’Donnell of Atlantic Treasures – The Fish Stop
Speaking about the new foodie experience, Michael O’Donnell said: “Since we launched Hooked & Cooked last month, we’ve been blown away by the response we’ve received from locals and visitors. The whole concept was to provide an experience that gives people the ultimate foodie day-out and it combines the perfect mix of tasting fresh catch from the boats, meeting locals and exploring the area.
“Given the town’s location between Donegal Town and Sliabh Liag Cliffs on the Wild Atlantic Way, Killybegs is already a very popular destination with day-trippers, but we want to encourage visitors to stay in the area and explore the history and culture all-year round.
“Donegal has always had a brilliant tourism offering and this summer, we can really see people from all around Ireland discovering our hidden gems. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to Killybegs to experience Hooked & Cooked.”
Hugh O’Donnell, owner of Hughie’s Bar and Wild Atlantic Way Food Ambassador.
Adding to this, Wild Atlantic Way Food Ambassador and owner of Hughie’s Bar, Hugh O’Donnell said:
“I’m delighted to be collaborating with Michael on this fresh new seafood initiative.
“Visitors to Killybegs can now avail of a fresh and innovative way to sample local fish – bringing them right to the source of Irish produce and our community.
“From starting the journey at The Fish Stop, visitors will meet the famous singing fishmonger Ronan Cunningham, who is well-known for his singing videos on social media, and from here visitors will take their cook-bag and make their way across the road to Hughie’s for the taste test! Visitors have the choice of five different fishes and five different seasoning and glazes, so there’s plenty to choose from.”
The Hooked & Cooked Seafood Experience is available from Tuesday – Saturday. For bookings outside these days, call Atlantic Treasures – The Fish Stop.
The Hooked & Cooked Seafood Experience will also be available nationwide in the coming months with a new online delivery service from Atlantic Treasures.
The online initiative was created after Michael O’Donnell spotted a gap in the market: “When we were developing the Hooked & Cooked Seafood Experience, we were in the midst of the pandemic, which saw a huge rise in fish sales.
“We already offer an online delivery service for our smoked mackerel and herring products, so we thought, why not give people the opportunity to get fresh fish straight from the Atlantic that they can pop into the oven and enjoy.
“We hope to have it live in the next few weeks and people from around Ireland can enjoy the Hooked & Cooked seafood experience from the comfort of their homes.”
The Hooked & Cooked Seafood Experience costs €15 per person and is suitable for children and adults. For more information and to book visit www.atlantictreasures.ie or call 074 9731057.
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