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Inish Turk Beg Whiskey Maiden Voyage

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:40:27 +0000

Inish Turk Beg whiskey -- 2,888 of our first bottles on their way to you Living Life at a Tilt

Organic salmon in Company magazine

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:19:57 +0000

We're pleased to draw attention to our organic salmon in this month's Company magazine.

"It tastes how smoked salmon should." Couldn't have put it better ourselves!

Click here to read the article, and head this way to find out more about the salmon itself.

Patrick Murphy on Life Vividly Lived, Pt. 2

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:19:57 +0100

We're honoured to have Patrick Murphy -- Director of the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin -- co-curate our second artists' residency, Life Vividly Lived, Pt. 2. Here he is to share his thoughts on it.

An inspiring array of talent came together for our 2010 Residency. The artists lived together here, on Inish Turk Beg, and the work to be exhibited next year will be infused with the spirit of Life Vividly Lived that pervades the island.

To find out more about this year's Artists Residency, please click here.

The Brilliant Series: The Island

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:19:57 +0100

Here's Shea Fitzgerald explaining how the recording of The Brilliant Irish Flute was infused with the spirit of the island and its breathtaking scenery.

Shea – producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist – lends his acoustic and bass guitar playing to both the traditional and contemporary tracks on The Brilliant Irish Flute.

To find out more about The Brilliant Series, please visit the Music section of our site.

The Brilliant Series: Now

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:19:57 +0100

Here's a little about the second, contemporary CD -- "Now" -- from the Brilliant Irish Flute, which will be the first instalment in The Brilliant Series.

Words again from the exceptional Alan Doherty.

To find out more about the Brilliant Series, please visit the Music section of our site.

Poem by David Farrell

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:19:57 +0100

A poem kindly contributed by photographer David Farrell, who we were privileged to have stay on our island last month, as part of our Artists' Residency 2010.

Back in the shoebox, daily
I resist the temptation
Of visiting the webcam
Hoping to catch
My ghostly presence
On a hat-shaped island
Somewhere in the west
Where the wind still blows through my silvery hair
And the last Swallow of summer falls from a blood red sky.

Our warmest thanks to David for such a lovely expression of feeling.

You can read about this year's Artists' Residency here. The finished work from all the artists, including David, will be on view in Dublin next March.

An Introduction to Life Vividly Lived, Pt. 2

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:19:57 +0100

Here's an introduction to Life Vividly Lived, Pt. 2 -- our second annual Artists' Residency -- from Chief Islander, Nadim Sadek.

An inspiring array of talent came together for the 2010 Residency. The artists lived together on the island, and the work to be exhibited in March next year will be infused with the spirit of Life Vividly Lived that pervades our world.

To find out more about our Artists' Residency this year, please visit the Art section of our site.

The Brilliant Series: Then

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 10:19:57 +0100

The second video instalment about the Brilliant Irish Flute, this time looking at the Traditional CD. The video again features Irish flute player Alan Doherty -- just like the Book + CD release itself.

To find out more about the Brilliant Series, please visit the Music section of our site.

Distribution Voice

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:19:57 +0100

"During August, we established our new UK-based distribution hub, enabling us to drive distribution far beyond central London. And, during September, we secured new listings in no fewer than 12 stores, across the UK and Ireland -- and one on the other side of the world.

So, in the UK, you'll now find Inish Turk Beg in deepest Norfolk, at Bakers & Larners; in the Edinburgh and Manchester (city centre and Trafford Centre) branches of Harvey Nichols; Campbells of Leyburn in North Yorkshire; and Market Town Foods, a brand new fine food store opening in Petwork, Sussex.

In Ireland, meanwhile, we're lining the shelves of McCambridge's in Galway, as well as two Avoca and two Donnybrook Fair stores in the greater Dublin area. On the latter front, we'll be having a launch event in Donnybrook Fair on Morehampton Road on 27 October. If you're in the area, please don't be a stranger!

Last, but by no means least, there's Singapore, and organic fine food store Supernature.

It doesn't stop there. We're having discussions with numerous other retails in London and throughout the UK and Ireland, which we're confident will lead to Inish Turk Beg products finding their way into many more stores to come. We'll be sure to keep you updated.

In the meantime, you can find the full range of Inish Turk Beg Fish and Bacon in our online shop, here."

-- Paul Bournazian, Sales Chief.

The Brilliant Series: An Introduction

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:19:57 +0100

Here's an introduction to the Brilliant Irish Flute, featuring expert Irish flute player Alan Doherty. This will be the first instalment of The Brilliant Series, a series of Book + CD releases, which each celebrate the traditional instruments of Ireland, from Inish Turk Beg.

Keep an eye on this space for the next video installment -- coming very soon.

Busy Times

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:30:00 +0100

Artists' Residency was great; they lived on the island and did wonderful things. For a flavour of the work and the time we had, please look at: http://www.inishturkbeg.com/culture/2010-residency.

I’m final-proofing our Brilliant Irish Flute book today, and then it goes to press along with our great two CDs. I’m afraid our pre-order system collapsed (thanks for the enthusiasm!), so may I ask you please, if you do wish to pre-order a copy, to let us know again by writing to music@inishturkbeg.com. Our website now also has a lovely section on the music, and will keep enlarging with videos and photos of the sessions -- http://www.inishturkbeg.com/culture/music is the place to go. In fact, if you’d like to watch the first video we’re releasing, please click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk7k-54Uuy8.

Our whiskey bottle has been produced. It was hard. We’ve broken moulds, literally. Each beautiful bottle is hand-blown, and includes a bit of our beach in every bottle. Whiskey news will be announced shortly, including the chance to pre-order our first ever bottling – it’s known as ‘Maiden Voyage’ and there will be only 2,888 bottles produced, so apart from being fabulous, it’s also a collector’s item. It’s a delicious single-malt, using island water and made in barrels that have rested on the island soaking up our atmosphere (and the art and music that’s passed by on some days!). Here’s the start of our whiskey story, on the website: http://www.inishturkbeg.com/produce/whiskey

Nadim Sadek, Chief Islander:

"Our 2010 Artists' Residency was great; they lived on the island and did wonderful things. For a flavour of the work and the time we had, please go here.

I’m final-proofing our Brilliant Irish Flute book today, and then it goes to press along with our great two CDs. I’m afraid our pre-order system collapsed (thanks for the enthusiasm!), so may I ask you please, if you do wish to pre-order a copy, to let us know again by writing to music@inishturkbeg.com. Our website now also has a lovely section on the music, and will keep enlarging with videos and photos of the sessions. Click here to visit.

Our whiskey bottle has been produced. It was hard. We’ve broken moulds, literally. Each beautiful bottle is hand-blown, and includes a bit of our beach in every bottle. Whiskey news will be announced shortly, including the chance to pre-order our first ever bottling – it’s known as ‘Maiden Voyage’ and there will be only 2,888 bottles produced, so apart from being fabulous, it’s also a collector’s item. It’s a delicious single-malt, using island water and made in barrels that have rested on the island soaking up our atmosphere (and the art and music that’s passed by on some days!). Click here to see the start of our whiskey story."

The Kerry March

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:30:00 +0100

Johnny Dalgety, Island Manager and Chief Herdsman.

"When we started, there were two ... and now we have a whole family of beautiful Kerry Cows, wandering around the island. With their amazing horns and lean bodies, they remind of times gone by, when cattle were kept for a bit of milk and a bit of meat at the end, existing on the smallest amount of feed available. These are one of Ireland’s two rare breeds, and we love being a part of their preservation."

Echoes

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:30:00 +0100

From Nadim Sadek, Chief Islander.

The website will soon have photos and videos of the recording sessions from the island. In the meantime, this video lets you know what we were up to! If you like the sound of it, do click here and register to pre-order – we anticipate the Book + 2 CDs being available by mid-November.

And forgive the VERY pink shirt!

The Brilliant Series

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 18:30:00 +0100

From Nadim Sadek, Chief Islander.

When I was 10 or so, my brother’s girlfriend gave me my first vinyl album: it was Planxty’s first, ‘Planxty’. I spent days, then months, years, then decades listening to it, and still do. Sounds which touched my heart and soul, which gave me goose bumps, sent my mind spinning through history, legend, heroism, melancholy tragedy, which filled my imagination with drama, theatre, story and wit, leapt from its grooves. I had started my love affair with Irish instruments and the Irish repertoire of traditional music – an affair that has never waned.

Inish Turk Beg is another of my love affairs. I’ve been transfixed by it since first landing on its shores. It lifts everyone’s spirits, superoxygenates our experiences, variously intoxicating, inspiring and invigorating... I whistle a lot as I visit its various shores, hills and ridges. My whistle is a poor imitation of an Irish flute. And one day it came to me that I would love to see The Chieftains playing at ‘The Top’ as we call our little summit, viewed from a ‘helicam’ with the eye-boggling 360 degree vista we have of Clew Bay, from Clare Island, to Old Head, from Croagh Patrick and the Shaffrey Hills to Nephin Mor, round the Nephin Begs till we finish at Achill, all as a background to their musical sorcery. The idea floated off on the tide until one day it happily met with people who fertilised it, tended it and made it bloom, to what we present here.

The Brilliant Series from Inish Turk Beg is an unashamed celebration of Irish instruments. Beginning with the Brilliant Irish Flute, we’re showing off just how amazing the sounds of Ireland are, with a host of instruments used all over its counties on a daily basis. Our first CD – called ‘Then’ - takes 12 or so of the most fantastic tunes from the traditional repertoire. Alan Doherty’s playing beautifully showcases the mellifluous tones of the flute, and his naturally mischievous character wittily ornaments these well loved favourites with a fresh breath of life. And our second CD - ‘Now’ - shows the Irish flute can’t be stopped. We’ve taken another 12 tracks from the contemporary repertoire of songs and livened them up with the flute taking ‘lead voice’. Again, Alan leaps to centre-stage, eyes blazing with energy, lips gently caressing tenderness and passion from the wood, seducing each listener with extraordinary performances. The rest of the band seal the clinch – the sounds of our sessions have defied tide and time, wind and rain, as we loved our way through the sets.

Apart from our two CDs, we also present a book. Written by Dave Kenny with a beguiling mixture of historical authority, plain love of the flute, and a lot of unselfconscious banter, it takes you on a journey through the beginnings of the Irish flute, around its many players, and to meet a host of people who love it and the gorgeous sound it makes. The book is illustrated with original photography by award-winning Dylan Thomas, the island’s Art Director – he cleverly nipped a video into his bag too, and our website will carry many clips of the Inish Turk Beg sessions underway: fabulous viewing!

I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved here on our shores: the Irish Flute in all its glory, spinning from the past to the present, surrounded by people who love it. I, and the whole team who have put this collection together, hope you feel the fires burning that have warmed our hearts and souls whilst we discussed, talked, laughed and played in its making.

Enjoy!

A Relaunch and a Heart Beat

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:19:57 +0100

From Nadim Sadek, Chief Islander.

Our website has relaunched. Much easier navigation. Some editing. Turk strutting his stuff even more. And gorgeous photography from award-winning Dylan Thomas who came to live on the island till he captured it. Mind you, he keeps coming back, like we all do, as it’s ever-changing. The address: http://www.inishturkbeg.com. You can now follow our posts using the RSS link in our new site's News section – letting you know of things we’re doing in an ever-easier way.

And take a look at our first ad. It shows the lives we lead, interrupted by all that we do in our daily work – and then the intoxicating rush of life that fills our lungs here on Inish Turk Beg. Hope you like it. You must have your sound turned up to enjoy this.

Deep breath!

The Tide is Rising ...

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:19:57 +0100

From Nadim Sadek, Chief Islander.

I can hardly hear myself think!

Here on Inish Turk Beg, musicians from all over Ireland have gathered for a week of intense recording. The traditional Irish ones are down – though they dance through my head each moment of the day, with a freshness and innovation I have never before heard. The contemporary ones are sailing forth – unbelievably exciting blends of big songs of today, with the brilliant Irish flute leading the way to previously uncharted territory. But charts, soon, will show this new work, I’m sure! We’re attempting to produce sounds never before recorded – please keep an eye on our website for the latest news of this venture, and for the chance to pre-order one of the beautiful Book + Double CDs that captures what we’re doing. It’s been wild!

Artists Draw Near ...

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:19:57 +0100

Nadim Sadek, Chief Islander:

"An inspiring array of talent comes together for our September Artists Residency on the island. The artists will live together on Inish Turk Beg, and the work they exhibit next March will naturally be infused with the spirit of life vividly lived which pervades our world. We're really excited about having artists live with us -- we hugely value how their creative talents contribute so much, bringing a rare intoxication to everyday life.

Here's a quick preview of the artists:

- Nick Miller is passionately interested in perception and how to pursue objectivity. Working with painting and drawing, Miller intensely observes his subjects, whether individuals or the landscape. Miller has been resident in Ireland since 1984, he work has been seen extensively throughout Ireland and in the UK and USA. More information here.

- Liam O’Callaghan takes the obsolete and disregarded materials of our age and through assemblage and other techniques redeems them from their useless to become aesthetic and poetic objects. His work is regularly shown in Ireland and Germany. For more information, click here.

- Eilis O'Connell -- working in three dimensions the forms she creates echo both the organic and the science fictive. Whether in small or large scale, her objects are imbued with a fierce beauty that both seduces and repels concurrently. O’Connell is known for a number of major public commissions in the UK, including Cardiff and the Isle of Dogs. For more information, click here.

- David Farrell is a photographer whose intimate portraits of places carry not only topographical reference but the underlying evidence of human behaviour. Narrative while never explicit drives these images. Farrell work has been widely exhibited from the Houston to Rome. Click here for more information.

- Nina Tanis's area of interest lies in site-specific installation, in which her works are created out of the unique intersection of a place and the ideas that arise there and the objects that might be foraged there. It is an agile and imaginative process that engages the viewer and sometimes incorporates them. For more information, click here.

- Ruth Lyons is interested in the curiosities that abound in our environment. So much of the build and agricultural environment is taken as a given, Through installation, video and painting she re-locates her subject and re-introduces our ability to interrogate them. More information is here.

- Magnhild Opdol unpicks fairytale and folklore to create contemporary and oft times sinister allegories. Using drawing and sculpture (especially taxidermy), Opdol eschews the saccharine spin that has invaded children’s tales and re-establishes the brutal life lessons that were often the core of the original. More information can be found here.

- Shoichi Sakurai -- a key element of Shoi's work is the aesthetic concept of wabisabi, in which the beauty of an object derives from, or is enhanced by, some flaw in it, or by a patina of age. A piece's past history can be found in its imperfections and can add to its personal sense of integrity and intrinsic beauty. More information is here.

We're also delighted to announce two wonderful co-curators:

- Patrick T. Murphy, Director, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin.

- Peter Prendergast, Director, Monstertruck Studios and Gallery, Dublin.

The exhibition, Life Vividly Lived (Part 2) will take place from March 15th to April 2nd, 2011, in Dublin, at Monstertruck."

Hot and Wild!

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:19:57 +0100

Nadim Sadek, Chief Islander:

"Hello, on a hot and wild day on Inish Turk Beg. We’ve got tons of good news, so anchors up ...

- Four lovely bacon products have joined our very successful smoked fish range. It’s the best bacon can be! They’re available in all our usual stores (Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Harrods, The Food Company, Market 57, plus on-line, of course).

- Inish Turk Beg, the island, is the ultimate experience of the Inish Turk Beg brand, and we’re delighted that even in these financially tricky times, we’ve still got lots of people coming and using the place for a big lungful of life. We’re very pleased to have appointed Mason Rose as our agents for these stays.

- The 2010 Artists Residency begins on 12 September. We have two world-class curators this year: Patrick T. Murphy, Director, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, and Peter Prendergast, Director, Monstertruck Studios and Gallery, Dublin. The artists are brilliant, too, so more news on them separately and soon ... mark your diaries for a two-week show running from 15 March to 2 April 2011, in Dublin.

- Music's hoving into view, and we’re thrilled to be hosting a variety of great Irish musicians on Inish Turk Beg in August this year, which will culminate in us launching a series of book CDs, celebrating Irish instruments, beginning with the Irish flute. It’s brilliant, quite simply. This will be on sale all around the world, and there’ll be more on our website shortly.

- Our whiskey gently sits, awaiting its launch on the high seas later in the year. Our beautiful bottle is quite a thing to produce, but it’s even better to behold. It’ll be available in Dublin, London, New York and Tokyo later this year. Meanwhile, the image below shows you some of our barrels resting on the island soaking up the views!

- The Stud has given us all its foals for the year, and our stallions continue to win their competitions, and more importantly, lots of admiring glances. It’s a special feeling to be producing such wonderful animals in Clew Bay.

- Our website has garnered loads of praise, but not wanting to rest on our laurels, we’ve re-worked it, especially to improve navigation (always useful for mariners!). It’ll be relaunched at the end of July. Dylan Thomas, our Art Director, lived on the island for a month, didn’t cut his hair, and will populate the new site with gorgeous and wild new imagery.

- We’re active in the digital world, appointing Lean Mean Fighting Machine as our digital partners. They were on a photo-shoot last week on the island, producing our first commercial – we’ll circulate it soon and hope it blows your socks off!

- Mona Abbasi has joined us in the office, as Chief Organiser. She was Global Director of Consumer Insight at Electrolux till recently, so she can see a big opportunity. Anyway, it’s good to have a boss! As far as I can work out, she’s in charge of everything.

- Matthias Kiehm has also joined us, as Stays Chief and North American Chief. He was until recently Director of Food at Harrods, so he knows his onions, and before that, he was a General Manager of Four Seasons, so knows how to tidy a locker, too. We’re thrilled to have him on board and he’ll lead our journey to the USA towards the end of the year.

I hope you’re all doing well and always, thanks so much for all your messages of support, and indeed, your purchases from our brand."

Look At Him Go!

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:19:57 +0100

Kirstin, Inish Turk Beg Stud:

"Cartier, our beautiful Connemara stallion, keeps on winning things -- International Ridden Performance Trials. He's quite the boy, and look at him move through the Clew Bay spray! Anyone going to the RDS in August? He, and we, will be there."

Wild on the Point!

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:19:57 +0100

Kirstin, Inis Turk Beg Stud:

"Summer is here and all our foals are on the ground. Beautiful, healthy and well, thank goodness. Three fillies and three colts. At this stage all of the mares have been covered again -- this happens ten days after birth -- three of the five have been scanned in foal, two have had to be covered a second time at around 28 days after foaling, and the sixth mare (Padraig!) is due for her scan, so fingers crossed she is in foal.

All the ladies are now turned out on "the point" which is their summer pasture, and allowed to go wild and bring up their children in peace and quiet with very little interference from us humans!"