Gather & Ground: A Morning to Remember

Sometimes, everything just comes together.

On Sunday morning, September 6th, we gathered in the beautiful gardens of Avoca Kilmacanogue for Gather & Ground, our latest Neighbourhood Club event, in partnership with Avoca, and somehow, even the weather seemed to know it was a special one.

After days of watching the forecast and worrying about rain, the clouds parted, the sun came out and shone just for us, warming the gardens and the stretch tent as our guests arrived, yoga mats tucked under arms, ready for a morning of movement, breathwork, good food and good company.

And that is exactly what unfolded.

Led by the wonderful Jan Duffy, our group settled onto their mats beneath the tent, surrounded by the green of the gardens and the trees beyond. There was something quite beautiful about watching everyone begin to move together. A group of people who had arrived separately gradually finding the same rhythm, breathing, stretching and moving in synchrony.

That feeling of slowing down, connecting and being present is exactly what we hoped Gather & Ground would be about. A chance to step away from the rush of everyday life and simply enjoy where you are, who you are with and what is in front of you.

And, of course, then came lunch.

After yoga, everyone gathered around the picnic tables for a feast from Poulet Bonne Femme and Avoca. Our free-range rotisserie chicken, honey-roasted ham and pork were served alongside a gorgeous selection of Avoca salads and sides. It was simple, generous, delicious food, eaten together under the tent.

Our guests were also the first people to taste The Peachy Ham, our new sandwich created with Avoca, bringing together PBF honey-roasted ham, Dubliner cheese and Avoca's Cardamom & Peach Chutney. A suitably delicious ending to a morning centred around eating well.

Before everyone headed home, there was one final PBF treat: a complimentary free-range chicken to take with them and enjoy later.

But what we'll remember most about Gather & Ground wasn't any one part of the morning, it was the feeling of it. The sun through the trees. Thirty mats laid out beneath the tent. The quiet of everyone moving together. The chatter around the tables afterwards.

This is exactly why we created The Neighbourhood Club.

To bring people together around good food and shared experiences, and to create moments that feel a little different from the everyday.

A huge thank you to everyone at Avoca Kilmacanogue for helping us create such a beautiful morning, to Jan for leading us so wonderfully, and most of all to everyone who came and made Gather & Ground what it was.

We loved every minute.

And we're already planning the next event in October!

Want to join us next time?

Join the Poulet Bonne Femme Neighbourhood Club to be the first to hear about our next gatherings, including a very special supper club coming soon.