News– Page 2 – Herterich Artisan Meats

So Christmas came and went and how was it for you?

A memorable family gathering or an endless row over the remote control? Over in the UK crowds came out in their droves to see the royal family turn up for their Christmas service, all desperately trying to catch a glimpse of baby George who was no doubt enjoying his first Christmas in Sandringham sleeping and awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus. In her Christmas speech Queen Elizabeth reflected on what had been a momentous year for herself and her family – not just the birth of her great grandson but the celebration of her diamond anniversary as well.

Here at home our Taoiseach chose to deliver his Christmas message via merrionstreet.ie, urging us to look forward to the festive celebrations "with more lightness of heart", promising that he will lead "a Government which will not repeat the mistakes of the past, which threatened our children's futures." (and we all know that we can believe our politician's and their promises can't we?!)

Perhaps Enda's recent visit to Herterich's Artisan Meats Store in Ballymahon Street Longford and his purchase of some of the finest locally made scones in Longford have mellowed him? Here's hoping it will rub off on some of our local representatives as the 2014 local elections get underway....

Meanwhile life continues in Longford, the 'sale' signs are up in the stores and the early shoppers are out in force, keen to secure a bargain, while Bernie Crossan celebrates forty years of business in Longford.

As the festive lights continue to shine across Longford's market square, the customers make their way into Herterich's Artisan Meats where the staff have been very busy sending hampers full of treats across the Irish sea and further afield to relations far and wide, bringing a little taste of Ireland into the fold.

Herterich's hampers come in a variety of sizes and are filled with an array of only the finest locally produced goods – choose from sausages, bacon, black pudding, chutney sauce, biscuits, homemade strawberry jam, cranberry and orange stuffing, tins of Afternoon Tea biscuits, Belgian Truffles and a glass of Carmen to top it all off!

If you'd like more information on how to order online please log onto www.herterichartisanmeats.ie or follow @Herterichartisa on twitter.

This month the world mourns for the death of an icon as Nelson Mandela has gone to his eternal reward and what a funeral it was. There wasn't any room for County Mayor Larry Bannon or President of Longford Chamber of Commerce Seamus Butler unfortunately. Wouldn't they look well if they had being there?!

The newspapers have said it all – "our nation has lost it's greatest son". "Our people have lost a father".

But the world moves on...it's market day in Longford town. There's an aroma of fish in the air but the lure of Italian coffee and cream beckons and so I'm off to Herterich's award winning Artisan Butchers in Ballymahon Street Longford. And I know it's only 9.am but hey, I'm a morning person and I must have my daily fix.

Here, sitting in my favourite corner, I reflect recent events - a few weeks back Ryan Tubridy brought 1.4 million viewers to a standstill when they all dimmed the lights, turned off their iphones and sat down to watch the Late Late Toy Show, the twinkling stars were turned on in Longford town – but the best and most popular visitor of all was Santa himself who travelled all the way from the North Pole to his grotto in Longford Shopping Centre - hey it must be Christmas!

I realise I'm spoilt for choice as I survey the menu in Herterich's– there's a full Irish – - two sausages (of which there is a wide and varied choice), 2 strips of bacon, black and white pudding, egg, tomato and home made boxty, Sambos' free range eggs, scrambled, poached - or what about the ultimate Breakfast Roll – Ciabatta or Panini?

As I take a moment to make up my mind, I pause and take a glance at the historic photograph above me – and marvel at the history behind it; where it all began - in 27 South Main Street, Naas, Co. Kildare.

Looming above is a spectacular and original, it has to be said, image of the family business as it was then – the proud Herterich empire – and that's the word for it. The photo was originally published in the 'Leinster Leader' and the state occasion - the retirement of the horse who had devoted his life to working for the post office.

Hard working parents Alice Maud and George had no less than eleven children, all of whom but one, Alice, are now deceased. Amazingly eight of the Herterich siblings followed into the family business, giving rise to butcher's shops around the country.

Finally opting for a mini breakfast I look forward to two of Herterich's very best and locally made – pieces of bacon, two sausages and I realise I'm in for a feast. This should keep me filled for the day I surmise!

Time passes quickly as I study the local newspaper. Back here in my treasured corner, I review my week. It's been a busy one. Longford writer Lorne Patterson launched his second book 'Bad Blood', an insight into the world of mental illness while pharmacist Luke Baxter also dipped his toes into the literary world with 'Our Roots in Stone' the memorial records of

Ardagh, County Longford - 1646 to 1910, a highly successful launch which took place in Lyon's pub in Ardagh, the formalities taking place by Irish Times journalist Stephen Collins.

'Sambos' is full of Christmas cheer as Santa looks down on me joyfully for there's barely three weeks to go and tinsel is all around – it's time to put up my tree I reflect.

Suddenly I am torn away by the shrill voice of Debbie who scooters around her haven like a squirrel at play, "Here you go pet!" she announces cheerfully!, a woman happy in her work. "Tea or coffee?"

I opt for tea, a rest for my palate and having received my mini Irish, delve into it lusciously.....time to put the newspaper down and enjoy, I think, as I butter the home made brown bread and spread a little flora sparingly (forget the calories...I can afford it).

Time to tuck in....

It’s just after ten in Herterich’s and I’m having my first glorious sip of the day – real whipped cream on top of my cappuccino (don’t tell my doctor!). I scour the Indo looking for news, there’s nothing too exciting, a threat of an ESB strike in the run up to the festive season (great timing)….and the highlight of the month – the Taoiseach himself was appearing in the corner in John Browne’s Bar.

Now what an evening that was….

Rumour has it that Inda himself paid a visit to Herterich’s Artisan Meats to bring home to D4 (where the other half live) some of Herterich’s home made scones to Fionnula and the clan. And there’s a great selection to choose from here. And he was here, I swear it – for wasn’t I there myself to witness the incident?

Yes, somehow he slipped under the radar, away from his ‘handlers’ and popped in under a trench coat (and it wasn’t even raining), accompanied by a very tall local Fine Gael TD with ginger topped hair (yes, you know the one I mean).

There I was relaxing and reading about the latest antics of Nigella Lawson and her throttling husband Charles Saatchi at the time, when they whisked past me…Ba (sorry…I mean, the tall ginger guy) giving me a familiar wave while Inda barely acknowledged me, for he had more on his mind – food that is. I looked away, nonplussed. I wasn’t offended though for I’m a Fianna Failer and Peter Kelly is my man….though at times I ‘transgress’ back to Fine Gael just to have the craic with Peggy.

Anyway back to Inda, he’s running his fingers through his hair and he and the tall ginger guy are staring at each other lovingly over the menu when they are interrupted by a busy Debbie, who to Inda’s horror, fails to recognise him! “What can I get you pet?” she queries politely, barely casting a glance in his direction. Ginger is embarrassed…this is the Taoiseach of the day for God’s sake! He gurgles like he’s going to be sick and says, “By the way waitress, this is Enda Kenny, our Taoiseach!”

“Ah howr’ya pet,” she answers back, “one sausage or two?” That must be a secret phrase between them, I think because at that point they share a moment and it’s lovely to see. (Or maybe I’ve just been reading too much ‘Fifty Shades of Gray’.)

Anyway after enjoying a scrumptious breakfast Inda personally compliments the chef and promises that the government will invest more money into the food industry, then he pops next door into the busy Herterich’s Artisan Meats store which is a blaze of activity. There are fresh vegetables on sale, a queue at the deli counter as lunchtime workers get their rolls and sandwiches to see them through the day and a full team of people are at work behind the counter on beef, lamb and pork which will feed families in Longford town - and further afield - later tonight.

The store is crowded as usual but tall ginger guy has had enough – “make way for the Taoiseach!” he hollers, and Inda sprints through and heads for the boxty section! There he arms himself with no less than eight scones made by Louis’ fair hands and in answer to tall ginger man’s look of astonishment he answers simply “I have hungry children to feed at home!” I can hear his words from back in Sambos and I think cynically “Well how many times have we heard that from disgruntled people on the Joe Finnegan show and what has he ever done about it?”

Well, I’ll let him away will it this time…after all he did do his famous ‘punch’ in the air on the way out…the man thinks he’s Mike Tyson.

And he has got the best scones in town –he has good taste after all……..

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