Ep 9. Ireland

In Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations season 2 episode 9, Bourdain visits Ireland to explore the country's rich food culture and history. He embarks on a journey through both the bustling cities and the picturesque countryside, discovering the country's traditional dishes and meeting the locals who create them.

Starting in Dublin, Bourdain dives into the city's pub culture and tastes some of the well-known Irish drinks like Guinness and whiskey. He then heads to the historic Gresham Hotel to try a classic Irish breakfast, complete with black and white pudding, beans, and eggs. He also visits a local fishmonger to learn about Ireland's seafood industry and tries some of the freshest catches.

Next, Bourdain heads to County Cork to visit the Ballymaloe Cookery School, which is run by an influential Irish food writer, Darina Allen. Here, he helps with the cooking and learns to make some traditional Irish dishes like soda bread and potato cakes. He also learns how to make Irish coffee, a beloved drink that combines coffee, whiskey, and cream.

Bourdain then travels to the Dingle Peninsula, where he tries his hand at fishing for mackerel with a local fisherman. Later, he visits a local brewery to taste some of the country's craft beers and meets the owners who share their passion for brewing.

In Galway, Bourdain gets a taste of modern Irish cuisine at the Michelin-starred Aniar restaurant. He learns about the restaurant's philosophy of using local and sustainable ingredients and samples some of the unique dishes that the chef has created.

Finally, Bourdain travels to the Aran Islands, where he explores the ancient Celtic ruins and gets a glimpse of island life. He visits a local sheep farm and learns about how sheep farming plays a crucial role in the country's agriculture. He also tries some of the local cheeses that are made with sheep's milk.

Throughout the episode, Bourdain delves into the deep connection that the Irish have with their food and drink. He meets passionate locals who are dedicated to preserving their country's culinary traditions and celebrates the unique flavors and ingredients of Ireland.