‘Everyone who goes on my Catch and Sea trip says they will never forget it — they are looking for something unique’

Wendy Gallagher from Coleraine runs Catch and Sea, a hands-on foodie experience which includes fishing at sunrise and then cooking your catch for breakfast.

Wendy (47) who is married to Paul (48) and has two children, Lucy (12) and Andrew (6), grew up on the Causeway coast in Bushmills.

Most of her career has been spent teaching travel and tourism, but this changed in 2012 when she was invited by Tourism NI to devise a new training course for local people in the industry.

“That year (2012) was a big year for tourism in Northern Ireland as we had the opening of the new Giant’s Causeway Visitors Centre and the Titanic Centre, and news that the Irish Open was coming here,” she says.

“Tourism NI was keen to make sure that they had a globally recognised visitor service programme in place and I became a world host to deliver training in the industry.

“It got me back into it and made me realise that I missed it.”

It was after delivering a food ambassador course in 2016 that Wendy came up with the idea for Catch and Sea, which she launched the same year.

“I grew up by the sea and wanted to do something with the sea — and I also love food,” she says.

“Our coastline is absolutely stunning when you see it from the sea. I just figured that most people don’t know what kind of seafood is in the ocean, on our doorstep, and so the idea was born.

“Catch and Sea is a unique, sunrise breakfast fishing tour designed, marketed and sold by myself in conjunction with local fishing boat operators and chefs.

“As well as offering people a totally different perspective of our stunning coastline, it brings to life stories about our local landmarks, legends, wildlife, traditions, food heritage and people.

“We set out at around 6am and when you come round the coast at Ramore Head and start to see that glow of the sun rising over Dunluce Castle, it is truly breathtaking. The stillness at that time of the morning is beautiful and the air is so clear and fresh. It is so peaceful that you don’t think about anything else other than being in the moment.” Everyone on board the local fishing boat gets a rod and until now no one has returned to shore without a catch.

Wendy has teamed up with Portrush artisan coffee shop Babushka to cook the fresh fish and serve it for breakfast along with the finest local produce. “The breakfast experience illustrates the true meaning of ‘our place on a plate’, showcasing what Northern Ireland produce can offer,” she says.

“Guests indulge in what many say is the freshest breakfast

they’ve ever eaten, with a beautifully presented, healthy plate of local food.

“For example, their freshly caught mackerel can be served on Ursa Minor sourdough bread (from Ballycastle) baked only hours previously, spread with gorgeous Abernethy butter, topped with crispy shards of Broughgammon Farm goat bacon and a softly poached Ballycastle free range egg, seasoned with a drizzle of Broighter Gold rapeseed oil, North Coast Smokehouse smoked sea-salt and dulse.”

As well as locals who holiday on the Causeway coast, Wendy’s tours have attracted visitors from all over the world. They have become so popular she plans to add two additional tours next year, from Portstewart and Ballycastle.

As Christmas approaches, gift vouchers are already selling fast as people snap up the £60 trip as a special gift for a loved one.

“Last year I really noticed an increase in voucher sales and was selling them right up until lunch time on Christmas Eve,” she reveals.

“Everyone who takes part says they will never forget it and that’s what people are hoping to give their loved ones — something unique and memorable.”