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Izzie is spending her year abroad in Dublin. In this blog she explores the culinary delights of Wexford.
When thinking of culinary destinations Wexford isn’t the first place that comes to mind, but its food dragged me there this month. The Wexford Rissole is the chip shop favourite of the town and is best described as herby mashed potato in crispy breadcrumbs. Having seen it online I dragged my friend on the two-hour journey south from Dublin to give the delicacies a go.
The journey started bright and early at the Dun Laoghaire train station where, after freezing to death on the platform for 20 mins, we took perhaps the most scenic train journey ever. Winding its way along the sea front, the morning sun glimmered off Muir Eireann, and as we got south of Wicklow town and the train turned inland, we were treated to hilltops dusted with snow and perfect Christmas card scenes of the Irish countryside. Our culinary journey started on this train as my French friend sampled the delicacy known as a “Bourbon Biscuit”.
On arrival in Wicklow we began our wandering, finding a toy/card shop where we were delighted with the Wexford/Leinster memorabilia on offer. Eventually after freezing our way to the market square, we decided it must be time for lunch. In the market we stumbled across the infamous Jimmy Rissole! The most well-known rissole maker in Ireland! Obviously, we had to try one of his very popular Rissole burgers, whilst waiting for our burger person after person doddered up to Jimmy to buy their weekend’s rissoles, including a corgi who had perhaps had one too many. We ate in the square and our first taste of rissole was simply stupendous. It warmed us in the cold late November air.
After we had devoured the burger, we continued exploring Wexford. We saw the twinned churches, an excellent apron, and even more lovely dogs. All that walking and looking certainly tired us out, so it was little surprise that we were in need of more of Wexford’s culinary delights. It may surprise you to learn that Wexford is known for opera, hosting a festival every year, and its gorgeous opera house (although unassuming on the outside) hides the hidden jewel of Wexford – its 4th floor panoramic café. After trekking up all the stairs, we were rewarded with floor to ceiling windows overlooking Wexford Bay and the grey beyond. Here again we continued eating, obviously, with Danish pastries and little biscuits to go with our coffees. With a view as astounding as the one we had, we would hardly have noticed if the food and drink was subpar, however the delicate pastry and vast array of fruits it was served with sealed the deal on perhaps the loveliest coffee spot in all of Ireland.
After letting the warmth of our coffees settle through us, we were ready to brace the freezing cold once more. A quick jaunt down to the harbour to see the ships and the sun was beginning to set so our time in Wexford was drawing to a close. But the rissoles haunted our mind still, we needed more. So back to Jimmy Rissole we went, and each bought a pack to take home and cook for our tea. With our bellies full of coffee, pastries and potatoes we sauntered back to the station to get the coach home. Wexford’s culinary delights continued to be enjoyed for many days after our little jaunt, I think I had at least one rissole a day for the rest of the week!