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Tag Archives: Hospice Africa Uganda

Fish Wives Cookery Book

Fishwives at the Cook Book Oscars

FiBook Oscarsshwives ~ Celebrating Women and Trout

Thank you to everyone who participated in or supported the Fishwives project last October to celebrate trout, Ireland’s so-called “forgotten fish”. As you might already know, the proceeds are going to Hospice Africa Uganda (HAU), a charity that is helping thousands of sick and dying men, women and children in Africa, ensuring they have a pain-free, dignified death.

The Idea

 

Fishwives at the Book OscarsThe Fishwives idea came about because I was frustrated that so many fish cookery books did not include trout recipes. There is a false perception that trout is somewhat inferior to other fish such as salmon and cod. We, at Goatsbridge, have worked tirelessly to educate and promote what I believe is an amazing product so I sincerely hope that users of this exciting new book by now  appreciate what a versatile, affordable and delicious fish trout is. It was an idea to celebrate not just trout but also the fantastic wealth of female talent we have in this country.

Recipes in the book, which are beautifully produced by Slater Design in Dublin, range from trout caviar cocktails to fish curries, pies and salads. I had good fun including my four sisters, Miriam, Louise, Joanne and Cathy, who all contributed recipes.

Visiting Uganda

Miriam (Donohoe) volunteered with Hospice Africa Uganda in Kampala for eight months last year and I had the privilege to go out to visit the charity in March of this year to see for myself the tremendous work being carried out by The Hospice.

Book Oscars - Mag Kirwarn at Hospice Africa Uganda

Mag with Hospice Africa Uganda patients

That trip afforded me the opportunity to spend time with Dr Anne Merriman, an inspirational 81-year-old Nobel Peace Prize nominee who founded Hospice Africa Uganda in 1991.

The charity has helped make a difference at end-of-life to almost 30,000 seriously ill and dying patients since its foundation. I learned so much about life. I found love and happiness everywhere I went which made me appreciate a quote I read while I was visiting:

“The Happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything “

That trip is an experience I will carry with me to the end of my days.

Book News

Book Oscars - Mag Kirwan with cancer patients at Hospice Africa Uganda

The good news is that ‘Fishwives’ has been nominated in two categories in the Cookbook Oscars – the prestigious Gourmand World Cook Awards and is set for global honours on the international stage in China on May 26th this year.

With this in mind we are hoping to encourage as many retail outlets to stock the book and hopefully help us to achieve our ambitious target of book sales. Goatsbridge are taking no return on the sale of this book. We are giving every penny to The Hospice Movement. I am hoping you will agree to help us spread the word to sell the book. I am conscious many of you have your own charities to support so I completely understand constraints place on you to help us in our quest, so no pressure whatsoever.

The books come in boxes of 10 and cost €20 and I am happy to send a copy of the book in advance if any of you need copies as samples.  Just email me mag@goatsbridgetrout.ie  or ring me on 086-8188340 if you can help or have any further questions.

Mag Kirwan with children at Hospice Africa Uganda

In the meantime, if you’d like to purchase your own copy of Fishwives, you can do so from our online shop and as an extra thank you, we’ll add a 125g pack of Goatsbridge Trout Pate to your order. 

Where to buy the Book?

The Fishwives – A Cookbook by Goatsbridge book can be purchased from:

  • Here on our website
  • Book Centre Waterford
  • Kilkenny Book Centre
  • Loughboy SuperValu Kilkenny
  • Arkeen Store Waterford
  • Butler’s Pantry Dublin
  • Supervalu Thomastown
  • Amazon Online
Fishwives Cookery Book

Challenges

We should not limit our challenges but challenge our limits.

 

Earlier this year I challenged those around me to help put a recipe book together in four months and we luckily achieved our goal.  The end result is a beautiful fish recipe book called Fishwives, available now in our online shop. All  profits from the sale of the book will be going to the wonderful Hospice Africa working out in Uganda. They will be channeled through Hospice Africa Ireland, a board in Ireland which fund raises and supports Hospice Africa Uganda. See www.hospiceafrica.ie for more information.

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Looking back on it now I suggest it was interesting, and overcoming the challenge certainly made my life meaningful.

I now look on to the next challenge and it is to ensure that every household in the country has a copy of this book under their tree this Christmas.

Fishwives Cookery Book

 

I challenge you to help me make this a reality.

Fishwives Themed Get Together

Why not have a Fishwives themed get together with friends and family, cook something from the book or simply encourage them to purchase the book on the night – a bit like a tuperware party only cooking with fish.

Or perhaps you have a database of foodies or friends interested in cooking who might like a very special and unique book as a present. Would it help that all proceeds are going to a very worthy cause?

We will give free product to anyone willing to put their shoulder to the wheel and our staff are happy to travel the length and breadth of the country to be part of your event. All ideas welcome.

My sister Miriam Donohoe has spent 8 months on the ground in Kampala working with the hospice organisation and reported back first-hand the work being carried out daily to help relieve pain and suffering of those with no access to pain relief in their dying days . We are all weary of the bad media around so called charitable organisations but it does not mean we have to stop caring and become totally cynical. I know for sure where every single penny of the money raised form this project will go.

Come on folks, life is not all about getting and having. How about giving and being?