It goes without saying that gardeners love their refreshments before, during and after some hard work. Whether it’s tea or coffee, if there’s a slice of delicious home-baked cake to be had all the better, especially if it’s one of Madeleine’s unusual cheesecakes!
Most of us enjoy drinking our tea in lovely surroundings and there’s non better than the delightful Tea Rooms at Duckett’s Grove that Madeleine Forrest (also known as The Little Coffee House) is now running.
The Tea Rooms and Craft Centre have recently been revamped and are great supporters of small, local business and craft in Carlow. I was therefore delighted when Madeleine offered to stock the Greenside Up Seed Gift Collections there – the first retail outlet to sell them. Lack of a counter-top stands to show them off is currently preventing the seed collections being stocked in other shops and garden centres who’ve expressed an interest, but I’m working on it for 2013 (any tips or pointers most welcome please!!)
The Tea Rooms are currently open Friday afternoons, Saturday and Sundays during daylight hours. Apart from the Seed Gift Collections, they also stock personalised candles from Candle Designs, chic home-ware from Garrdendenny Lane, handmade items from Amhain Creations, embroidery from Nicola and artisan skincare from Bumble Bliss, so plenty of items to choose if you’re looking for a special gift or even a treat for yourself while you sup your cuppa!
Duckett’s Grove was acquired by Carlow County Council back in 2005 and the impressive Gothic revival mansion is well worth a visit as tours are now available taking visitors around the ruins, barns, wooded gardens (also home to a fabulous ‘troll bridge’ that we’ve spent hours of fun in when our children were younger) and two walled gardens. Teams from Wexford Paranormal are regulars too making Duckett’s Grove a Carlow attraction that shouldn’t be missed!
An impressive Christmas fare takes place there every year and along with many other stall holders, on the 9th December I’ll be snuggled up for the day in a cabin at Duckett’s Grove selling the gift cards and boxes.
Hope to see some of you there!
