Hey Reader,

Welcome to this week’s Sunday Dish!

I’ve got a little travel story to share with you today, because last week, I ended up on a surprise trip to Ireland!

My fiancé is a university professor, and someone backed out of a conference at the last minute. They asked him if he’d go, and he said yes... and then asked if I wanted to come along. Of course, I said yes, too! I had to book my own flight, but it was 100% worth it.

This was my first time traveling anywhere outside of the USA or Canada, and we flew into Dublin and then took a bus straight to Galway. His conference was at the University of Galway, but he only needed to be there for a couple of hours on Wednesday, so we had time to explore.

On our first day, we wandered the Latin Quarter, saw the Spanish Arch, and had dinner at Gemelle’s. They served steak that cooks right at your table on a lava stone—so delicious.

The next day, we went on a bus tour to the Cliffs of Moher (breathtaking!) with a few fun stops along the way. We explored the grounds at Dunguaire Castle, stopped for lunch near the Burren (I had fish and chips, of course), and toured the Ailwee Caves. That evening, we walked the Salthill Promenade and dipped our toes in surprisingly warm water before having Irish Stew at O’Reilly’s.

Wednesday was conference day, but after the short session, we explored Barna Woods. It was such a peaceful place—so many unique old trees and little streams tucked away among them. That night, we met up with a couple of my fiancé’s colleagues for dinner at a cozy Irish pub in the Latin Quarter, where I had a bowl of rich, comforting seafood chowder.

I’ll be sharing the second part of the trip—our time in Dublin—in next Sunday’s email. But if you’re curious and want a sneak peek, I’ve been posting reels on my TikTok. Come check them out if you’d like to see more!

Wishing you a cozy Sunday with something warm and delicious on your plate.

📌 Reader-Favorite Recipe: Irish Brown Bread

During my trip to Ireland, I had Irish brown bread nearly every morning—and I never got tired of it. It was hearty, slightly sweet, and perfect with a bit of butter and jam (or just on its own with a cup of tea).

This version brings a little taste of Ireland to your kitchen. It’s packed with whole wheat flour, oats, oat bran, and seeds for texture and flavour. The buttermilk and eggs keep it moist, while a sprinkle of oats on top gives it that classic rustic look.

👉 Get the full recipe here.

If you’ve never tried Irish brown bread before, this is your sign. I think you’ll love it as much as I do.