I think we can all agree that the May weather so far leaves a lot to be desired, but, being Irish we are well used to inclement weather and navigating our way around it. It is officially summer and unless it’s snowing, this weekend we plan to perch ourselves somewhere picturesque and enjoy the view with one of these picnic boxes that will instantly inject a dose of summertime spirit.

Lily and Wild

Picnicking for a good cause is certainly no hardship and that’s exactly what you will be doing with a picnic box from Lily and Wild. The Lily & Wild Take-Away Picnic in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland was launched during lockdown by Kevin and Davina Walsh. These take away picnics contain everything you need to enjoy a day in the outdoors and are beautifully prepared and presented. The packaging is environmentally friendly too, each picnic includes an eco-friendly re-useable cooler bag with a selection of gorgeous wicker baskets also available to buy. For the month of May, all profits will be donated to Breast Cancer Ireland and collection is from their funky vintage Citroen van at Naas Racecourse. Prices start at €25pp for a three course feast with menus available for vegans, vegetarians and children. Local delivery is also available. www.lilyandwild.ie

Project Picnic

Launching this weekend, Project Picnic is now taking orders. Packed with amazing Irish produce, and a regularly updated menu, the picnic feeds four or more people and can be enjoyed wherever you like. Collection is in Dublin city centre every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the inaugural menu includes scotch eggs with Bombay mix to start, whole roast (free range) chicken with spiced salt, pink fir apple potato salad, spiced green leaves, homemade mayo, crisp radishes and wild garlic butter. Sides include molasses and caraway loaf or a sourdough baguette and to finish there is a lemon ginger meringue pie. Take it home and enjoy it by the fire or take it to the beach and watch the waves crash, it’s entirely up to you. Just remember to take your rubbish home too. To order, DM www.instagram.com/projectpicnicdub/.

Margadh, Howth

Available from Margadh, Howth and Barrow Market on Grand Canal St, the picnic range has a number of options to suit. The express picnic costs just €11.95 and there is also a luxury picnic available to order at €27 per person. Think a selection of house olives, terrine, whipped chicken liver parfait with sourdough crostini, piccalilli, freshly made sandwiches, salted vegetable crisps and a mini dessert. There is a range of wines in store to pair with your picnic or you can opt for an iced coffee or a homemade lemonade. www.margadhfoodandwine.ie / www.barrowmarket.ie

The Phoenix Café, Phoenix Park

Without a doubt, one of the most visited spots in the country by picnic dwellers, the Phoenix Café had made picnicking in the park a breeze. The picnic box for two contains a choice of homemade sandwiches, scones with cream, chocolate brownie bites, elderflower lemonade and a tea or coffee of your choice. Boxes are available to pre order and collect and there is also a vegan box and a children’s box. www.instagram.com/phoenixcafe/

Balfes, Dublin 2

A picnic in St Stephen’s Green really is the dream, with its stunning greenery and close proximity to available facilities – which, let’s face it, is a problem at the moment. Balfe’s at The Westbury is just a stone’s throw away, making it the ideal spot to collect your picnic goodies before bedding down for an afternoon of people watching. Choose from decadent sandwiches, crispy fries, chilled beers or perhaps Balfes’ iconic Venetian Spritz (an Italian-inspired mix of Aperol, Campari, Manzanilla, apricot, tonka, bitters, and Prosecco) while soaking up the atmosphere and if the rain does appear, there is always the bandstand to provide shelter.
www.balfes.ie