IT'S THE ROAST OF THE TOWN

A trip to The Old Barracks Roastery is an experience, says James McCarthy

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LIKE many people, I can't get through the working day without at least one decent cup of coffee, usually a latte, though I'll branch out to a flat white when I'm feeling bold.

But until recently, I hadn't given much thought to what goes into producing that morning ritual. That all changed when I visited The Old Barracks Roastery in Birdhill, Co Tipperary, a place where coffee isn't just served, it’s celebrated.

Joined by my cousin, who rarely strays beyond a French vanilla latte, I wasn't sure what to expect from this ‘adults only’ coffee shop and wine bar.

What we found was part-roastery, part-educational hub, and part-community gathering space, all wrapped in an atmosphere of quiet confidence and exceptional hospitality.

From the first whiff of roasted beans to the last sip of our homemade espresso, the entire experience was deeply immersive.

Alan Andrews, the owner and founder, gave us a tour that was anything but generic. He guided us through the surprisingly scientific world of coffee roasting, from bean sourcing across the globe to the precise controls that go into coaxing out a bean's best flavours. It was clear that this was more than a business; it was a craft, a passion, and, crucially, something he wanted to share.

We were lucky enough to get hands-on ourselves, roasting our own beans before pulling a few tentative espresso shots from our batch.