Pick up the Perfect Picnic at Mayo's Ashford Castle

Guests at Ashford Castle, Cong, can enjoy a new al fresco dining option this summer with the launch of the luxury hotel’s Perfect Picnics, packed full of local and Irish produce and treats. Named after characters from the Quiet Man, which was filmed in Cong and on the Ashford estate, there are three Perfect Picnic menus from which to choose so that guests can enjoy a taste of the great indoors, outdoors.

Priced from €65 for two for the Michaleen Flynn, guests can choose from a selection of delicious sandwiches such as Ardarl Farm ham and Kylemore cheese mustard mayonnaise or organic salmon rillette and pickled cucumber on an English muffin. Salads include a Caprese made with Toonsbridge mozzarella and a smoked garlic dressing, and guests will also enjoy seasonal fruit and sweet treats like lemon cake and chocolate shards as well as bottled water and freshly brewed tea and coffee.

The John Wayne (€70 for two) is surpassed only by the Maureen O’Hara picnic (€80 for two), which takes things to a whole new level with the addition of organic smoked salmon, potato farls, a selection of Irish cheeses and house chutney, Irish charcuteries and pickles, brown soda bread, pickled organic egg and Kalamata olives.

Guests can also add to their perfect picnic with a chilled bottle of something rather special from Ashford Castle’s cellars.

The goal at Ashford Castle is to eliminate the use of disposable plastics by 2022. Therefore, only bio-degradable items are used when preparing picnics, including stainless steel or compostable cutlery, reusable bento boxes rather than one-time use plastic containers. Metal straws, glasses and bio-degradable ‘to go’ cups are used for all beverages and glass – never plastic – bottled water is served.

Wherever possible, only organic sustainable produce from local artisan suppliers are used in the picnic, as are organic vegetables and salads from the three polytunnels on the estate.

Ashford Castle’s Perfect Picnics can be enjoyed after a morning exploring the 350-acre estate, a bike ride (complimentary bike hire), horse-riding or fishing. Or guests may prefer to head further afield and explore the Wild Atlantic Way and the magnificent scenery of nearby Connemara before sitting down to a picnic on one of the region’s many beautiful beaches.