Food writer and photographer Cliodhna Prendergast’s table inspired by the local landscape …
“Setting the table for the holidays is, at its heart, about welcoming the wild indoors. It’s about creating a deeply cosy, warm and welcoming atmosphere. For me, the magic always begins with colour – the rich, saturated hues that blanket the landscape during the depths of winter. The colours make me quite giddy.”
“This year, my palette is inspired by candles in deep forest green, lush burgundy and calming, earthy tones. These shades are a direct echo of my surroundings: the dark wine stain on the blackthorn after a winter rain, the vibrant life of spruce and the neutral taupe of the sleeping bog.”
“My Christmas table is always laid with treasured, handcrafted ceramics. Mixed collections tell a story that can be homey and beautiful. It’s anchored by handmade plates from Roundstone Ceramics and delightful, smaller side plates from Fermoyle Pottery. Their signature glazes look like miniature moonscapes, adding an intriguing layer of texture and depth. I adore using Fermoyle’s perfectly sized, deep bowls for the light, restorative broth that traditionally opens our meal.”
“For the table’s fabrics I bought a set of deep tan, buttery soft linen napkins from Provenance Interiors in Clifden. Their tone subtly picks up the terracotta rim of some Cloonmore hand thrown plates I bought last year, also from Provenance. That shop is a treasure trove that perfectly reflects the sublime, rugged character of the Connemara landscape – a constant source of inspiration.
I love mixing up my cutlery and glassware. The rule of matching has been happily abandoned here! I love layering different eras and styles: a mix of silver knives with sleek black ebonised handles next to bone-handled forks and playful, small green butter knives. The same logic applies to my glasses: a varied collection adds history and happily covers my lack of sets.”
“A Christmas centrepiece should be relatively simple, in my book. With so many dishes and settings required for a festive feast, an overly dominant display can quickly become a hindrance. My golden rule is to keep it simple or, failing that, build it upon a tray for easy removal. But candles are non-negotiable as an essential element for that sought-after celebratory glow.
This year, my centrepiece is built around a bleached antler found in the woods years ago. It has a wonderful organic sculptural shape. A friend gave me velvet ribbon that’s so luxurious and it picks up the colours of the candles, so I just drape that around the antler.”
“Finally, my greatest pleasure is a walk to gather the final touches. I gathered textured lichen from trees, which dry almost immediately once indoors. Some dried seed heads also caught my eye, quite architectural again, which I put in little vintage glass bud vases.
I’m looking forward to eating all of our favourite food over a relaxed, glowing, late afternoon table, then going on seaside and forest walks. Have a very happy Christmas.”
Need to know: Join Cliodhna’s Photography Retreat in Roundstone in March 2026 – staying at Within the Village. A perfect gift for creatives. @cliodhnaprendergast
SEE MORE: Interior Designer Helen Turkington’s Christmas Table
