Street Feast – Le Cool Picnic!
Rolling out of bed on Sunday morning after two all nighters in a row – I know, didn’t think I still had it in me! – I was all set for Street Feast, hosted by Le Cool at Meeting House Square. By that I mean I was up, washed and dressed. I didn’t quite manage to get my apron on and whip up a basket of homemade fare, so I stuffed some goodies into my bag – Butlers chocolates, crisps and a bottle of bubbly!
Rocking up to Temple Bar, there was music in the air and sunshine peeking through the clouds as I took a seat at one of three long tables. Giant umbrellas overhead are a great addition to Meeting House Square I must say! There was plenty of food going around with plates, cutlery and cups supplied by Le Cool. I poured some fizz for the lovely girls I’d just met at my table and we got ready to tuck in.
Beef Bourgignon, lemon cous cous, rye bread with vintage cheddar, jalepeno hummus, zucchini feta pie – and some rocky road, all in the mix! A couple of my mates joined in the party, one bringing me fresh coffee and another armed with a big bowl of Mamma’s recipe – yummy! The atmosphere was just great as we lounged around feeding each other, chatting to new faces and listening to children’s laughter.
We weren’t the only ones having fun in the sun, as Street Feast is a national event where neighbours all over the country got together to break bread. Organisers Samuel Bishop and Clare Mulvany have really harnessed a community feeling and I enjoyed working with them last Summer at a pop up lunch on Millennium Bridge. Brilliant idea! The sort of thing that brings warm and fuzzy to city life.
I got talking to Temple Bar Cultural Trust’s Lynsey Ni Rainaill, who was delighted with the turnout. She agreed that the buzz in the area is down to locals and retailers putting back into the neighbourhood what they get from it. Sharing flapjacks with Trevor White, former honcho at The Dubliner, it was clear to see that post-Tiger Dublin is coming out of the wilderness and the city is getting it’s mojo back.
www.streetfeast.ie / www.lecool.com