Weekender Karen O’Neill’s Duncannon

My weeks are fairly hectic at the moment,

as I’ve just launched a new alcohol product, so when I get the opportunity, I get away to Duncannon, Co Wexford. My secret slice of Irish heaven.

We are fortunate enough to have a quaint little beach house

that is within walking distance to Duncannon beach and a 15-minute drive to Hook Head. We travel via Waterford city, and grab a meal there in Momo’s restaurant.

Then it’s a scenic coastal drive and a crossing on the Passage East Ferry,

which never fails to take my breath away. On arrival, we hit reset with a walk on the beach with our dogs.

On Saturday, after a pre-breakfast run on the beach,

and breakfast on the deck, we head to Hook Lighthouse for a 6km walk around the peninsula to Slade. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of seals or dolphins.

On Saturday night, the fresh catch of the day, in Templars Inn in Templetown

is a must. The seafood is delicious, and there is always a great buzz. Then we go for drinks and a bit of live music in our local, Roches bar, in Duncannon.

A brekkie of smoked salmon and eggs in the Wild Rose Cafe

sets us right for Sunday. We are spoilt for choice with walks. One of our favourite walks is to Tintern Abbey and along the trail to the cutest bar, Vine Cottage in Saltmills, for a relaxing drink in their beer garden. Karen O’Neill has recently launched Beekon Batches, a fully natural, 5pcalcohol, honey-based beverage, that is chemicalfree, sulphite-free and gluten-free. For stockists, see beekonbatches.com

In conversation with Sarah Caden