Air fryers, St Patrick, wasabi and the Mourne Mountains

Combining her “two loves” of hiking and eating, Catherine Fulvio takes viewers on a journey of history, spirituality and culinary delights in her latest TV adventure, set in Northern Ireland.

The RTE series, Catherine Fulvio’s St Patrick’s Way, sees the Wicklow chef and food writer walking a section of the Irish Camino way through Ireland’s Cathedral County of Armagh to the final resting place of Ireland’s Patron Saint in Downpatrick.

Along the way, Catherine engages with locals, uncovers stories of the past, learns about innovative farming practices, explores the sacred and cultural significance of St Patrick, and drinks some of the finest products from the area.

Saint Patrick’s Way: The Pilgrim Walk is a 132-kilometre trail which was opened 10 years ago, taking visitors through untamed countryside, canals, mountains, forest parks, untamed countryside and two of our most historic towns and cities.

Catherine, who owns Ballyknocken House & Cookery School, admits it was her first time to explore the Armagh and Down region.

“I’ll go over the border now and again to Newry to do a bit of shopping, but I’ve over only ever driven through Armagh. It was such a joy to discover the architecture, history and breathtaking scenery. I had an unforgettable adventure.”

Bouncing with enthusiasm, she is keen to share with me what she discovered during her northern trip.

Catherine’s journey began at Navan Fort, just outside Armagh city. One of Ireland’s most famous and important archaeological sites, visitors there can experience what life was like over 2,000 years ago.

“It’s a real hidden gem. I saw the Celtic re-enactment and ate bread dipped in honey. When I told one of the ladies cooking I was walking St Patrick’s Way, she replied, ‘Oh, that’s the man who only believed in one God’.

“I last learned about St Patrick back in national school. I knew the stories, but not the details and this whole experience really brought it to life,” enthuses Catherine.

“We visited St Patrick’s Well which is in a stunningly beautiful location, and in Downpatrick we got two for one, as both St Patrick and St Brigid are buried there.”

No stranger to hiking, Catherine was brought up close to the Wicklow mountains, with the name Ballyknocken stemming from the Gaelic Baile an Cnocan – meaning ‘the town land of the little hill’.

As a teenager, as well as cooking at her mother’s guest house, she led groups of holidaymakers on mountain hikes.

“I still love going for a walk in the fresh air and being at peace with nature,” reflects Catherine, who admits Co Down’s Mourne Mountains have always been on her “bucket list”.

I didn’t know we grew wasabi on the island of Ireland.

—  Catherine Fulvio

“The Mournes with their sea views is a stunning landscape. We met so many hikers, as well as sheep,” she laughs.

Catherine also enjoyed walking the Newry Canal Way, Tollymore Forest Park and visiting the Mourne Gullion Strangford Unesco Global Geopark.

“I walked as much as I could, though it wasn’t go good when the camera crew made me trek up Cloughmore Stone Viewpoint three times.”

Not surprisingly, Catherine also indulged in some delicious local cuisine. Having been brought up on a dairy farm, Catherine was keen to visit Ballydown Milk, outside Banbridge, who produce their own yoghurts and ice cream.

“It’s a fine example of how to take control and make a micro business, and it shows how people appreciate good produce.”

A surprising find during her journey was Wasabi Crop, set up by Dr Sean Kitson and his 15-year-old son Sean.

“I didn’t know we grew wasabi on the island of Ireland. It was very interesting. Sean explained that the wasabi in the sushi is just a blend, not the real thing. When we tasted it, we were all affected differently. Some people’s eyes streamed; other people’s noses and ears went on fire.

“Irish people love to discover new tastes, so I brought some home and am using it in my Asian classes.”

Rather than cooking, Catherine was given orders for a change – from chopping wood for bushfire cooking at Finnebrogue Estate to foraging and being assistant chef to Paul Cunningham in Dundrum.

“Chefs go in different directions and Paul is following his dream and thinking outside the box with his extremely popular secret dining events. I would love to go back and do that someday.”

Catherine’s own side-step into the world of television came as a complete surprise.

“I got a phone call from Ireland AM to take part. It was totally outside my comfort zone and I was shaking with nerves. Trying to get the food from the frying plan to the plate whilst looking at the camera was terrifying. I didn’t think they would want me back.”

But Catherine’s effervescent charm and enthusiasm has firmly established her as a familiar face on TV screens both at home and abroad. She’s even been nominated for an Emmy for her role as Outstanding Culinary Host on her US TV series A Taste of Ireland.

With her dark locks, she could be described as ‘the Irish Nigella’.

“I’m a super-fan of Nigella Lawson. I love the fact she tastes and enjoys her food so much – that really comes across to the viewers. I’m chuffed with that comparison,” she chuckles

All for “anything that makes life easier” in the kitchen, Catherine is a firm air fryer fan, even giving her children one each before they set off to college.

“It’s very efficient for preparing nice, healthy meals. I would use it mainly for cooking roast vegetable, potatoes, chicken, salmon and scones.”

Catherine also admits her trusty air fryer got her “out of a hole” at Christmas, when her oven broke.

“I went to check the turkey before I went out for a hike and the butter was still frozen. I ran up to the cookery school and put it in the oven, but I made the roast potatoes in my air fryer, and everyone said they were the nicest they had tasted.”

Catherine Fulvio’s St Patrick’s Way airs on RTE One at 8pm on Thursday March 13 and Friday March 14