Taste Ireland…more specifically, taste the Hidden Heartlands of the Irish Midlands through a completely original cuisine designed around the fresh local produce from surrounding farms, on offer at Athlone’s Michelin Bib Gourmand culinary destination, Thyme Restaurant.

Chef John Coffey conjures up his ever-evolving menu around the vegetables local organic farmer Shannon is pulling or plucking from her nearby farm that day.
Local flavors, regional aromas, beautifully presented courses all plated by the Chef/Owner himself, the lively chatter of diners sitting down to what they know will be a memorable meal, the warm welcome and flawless service from the staff and the understated, unstuffy, intimate surroundings combined to provide a multisensory sendoff to Irish Stew’s “Off the Beaten Craic" series, the audio chronicle of podcast hosts John Lee and Martin Nutty’s eight-day ramble through Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, starting in Athlone, the geographic heart of Ireland astride the River Shannon’s “brightly glancing stream.”

Chef Coffey relates how he opened Thyme in November 2007, just months before the financial crisis devastated Ireland's economy, surviving days with no customers, weeks of no salary, and months of operating with a skeleton crew. Maybe it was his unwavering commitment to hyperlocal sourcing that pulled him through. The menu changes constantly depending on seasonal availability of local produce—plums for three weeks, game in autumn, heritage potatoes in varieties like Purple Rain that supermarkets abandoned decades ago. Coffey's outlook is based on community interdependence, where farmers, butchers, and their families create a self-sustaining economic ecosystem.

Don’t look for Reality TV chaos in the kitchen, as Coffey creates an aura of focused calm in his domain, even when diners fill all of Thyme’s 56 seats.

On the podcast, Chef Coffey explains why he’s rejected expansion opportunities, so you’ll have to get to Athlone to sample his ballotine of quail with yuko leaf and heritage potatoes or anything else he creates.

So, lend an ear to Irish Stew as it begins its Midlands meanderings with a celebration of Ireland's culinary transformation and the growing appreciation for slower-paced, ingredient-focused Irish dining experiences that await in the Hidden Heartlands.

Go raibh an bia blasta!

LINKS

Thyme Restaurant

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Shannon's Eco Farm

• Instagram

Hidden Heartlands Travel Resources

• Ireland.com
• Discover Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands

Irish Stew Social Media

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• X
• Facebook
• TikTok

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 30; Total Episode Count: 133

Your cohosts are back from an eight-day road trip through Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, where instead of profiling a person, they went “Off the Beaten Craic” to explore a place - the Irish Midlands.

Some tourists might view it as "drive-through country,” as they motor west from Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way, but John and Martin found just a fraction of what they’re missing in Offaly, Westmeath, Longford, and Leitrim. And by traveling at a leisurely “slow tourism” pace during the quieter fall “shoulder season,” they found little traffic, uncrowded restaurants, more of a local vibe to the pubs, and had legendary historic sites almost to themselves.

The peripatetic podcasters conversed with almost two dozen Midlands guests, capturing stories about local history, organic farming, biodiversity, greenways, Shannon river cruising, farm-to-table dining, slow adventure travel, hospitality, archaeology, astronomy, entrepreneurship, and civic pride, while at times going knee-deep into the distinctive bogs that shape the Midlands landscape.

Your hosts also brandished their selfie sticks to add sights to their sounds on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok.

The “Off the Beaten Craic in the Hidden Heartlands” series was made possible through the support of Tourism Ireland, which markets the island of Ireland overseas as a compelling holiday destination, and the guidance of Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, with a tip of the hat to the Leitrim County Council for their warmest of welcomes.

Join us “Off the Beaten Craic in the Hidden Heartlands!”

Links:

Hidden Heartlands Travel Resources

• Ireland.com
• Discover Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands

Irish Stew Social Media

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• X
• Facebook
• TikTok

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 29; Total Episode Count: 132

Guest Overview

John Davis, the inquisitive everyman, serves as the perfect foil to economist David McWilliams on Ireland's beloved David McWilliams Podcast. Known for his genuine curiosity and ability to ask the questions listeners are thinking, Davis brings a unique perspective shaped by decades in the music and media industries.

Episode Journey
Join Martin Nutty and John Lee as they trace Davis' fascinating career through sound - from the music studios of Dublin and London to international productions further afield. This wide-ranging conversation explores how a music industry veteran transitioned into becoming one-half of Ireland's most successful podcast duo.

Key Topics Explored

• From Studios to Airwaves: Davis' evolution from music production to broadcasting, including his formative years working on studio albums and film soundtracks.
• BBC World Service Years: His international media experience before returning to Irish shores.
• Podcast Genesis: The story of how a childhood friendship with David McWilliams sparked one of Ireland's most popular podcasts.
• Behind the Microphone: Davis opens up about his initial discomfort with being the voice behind the mic and facing live audiences at podcast events.
• The Magic Formula: How the natural chemistry between McWilliams and Davis creates their signature approach - making complex economics accessible without sacrificing substance.

Special Moment
The episode builds to a deeply personal and moving conclusion with Davis delivering a heartfelt "Seamus Plug" for As I Am, Ireland's leading autism charity. This emotional segment reveals a cause that holds profound meaning for Davis personally, offering listeners a glimpse into the man behind the microphone.

Why This Episode Matters
A rare, intimate look at one of Irish podcasting's most recognizable voices, exploring how genuine friendship, professional adaptability, and personal passion combine to create compelling audio content that resonates with tens of thousands of listeners weekly.

Links

• Seamus Plug: As I Am
• LinkedIn
• David McWilliams Podcast
• Music Extract: Love Shines - Dave Stewart And The Spiritual Cowboys

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 28; Total Episode Count: 131