Strandhill in Sligo, is one of the coolest little villages I have ever been to, and many factors attribute to it being so nice….Im not a local and don’t really know the history, nor would I try to educate you here on my site about Strandhill…but one thing I can confidently tell you, and something that is very clear to see is that the hub of the village is a little shop and cafe called Shells Cafe and Little Shop. Its a sensory explosion, sights, sounds, conversations, inspirations, tastes and touch – it really is a remarkable gem of a place that seems to bring the people of the village together.
When planning this trip to Ireland I was scouring the net to find some interesting things to read and watch and I came across a documentary by James Nesbitt on Ireland.. I was particularly interested in episode 6 as it featured Strandhill where we were planning on being based out of while in Ireland. Why Strandhill? I want to live in a place that is peaceful, beautiful and close to the ocean (kind of like an Irish Kommetjie). While watching the show they featured Shells Cafe and another local institution Voya Seaweed Baths. After that show on Strandhill, I was like…ok thats it, that town seems way too awesome, and “I is gonna check it”.
After my very peaceful and calming 33 hour journey from Cape Town to Dubai and then to Dublin (it wasnt really calming, it was insanely not calm) – I rented a car and threw in all my gear and surf boards and drove direct to Strandhill from Dublin Airport….the first thing I did when I found the village was a journey to the beach to check if there were any waves. Sadly not, on the day I arrived, but turning around and walking back to the car I saw Shells…and I was like “hey thats the shop from the video”, I have to check it out!!!
So I went in, and instantly I was hit with the sensation of a welcoming trendy place that was screaming, come in, sit down, order something and be you! I ordered some lunch and was really taken back by how great and fresh the food was, and everywhere I looked was something unique and different, kind of like the ultimate place to buy handmade and home made products direct from the heart…but one thing that I kept noticing, was that there was the occasional human sounds with words like “Bru”, “Lekker”, “Shweet” and “Kiff”….Now maybe Im just jet lagged, but I think there are some South African people in this place. The waitress was real friendly and while chatting she asked me where I was from…and I said Cape Town. And she was like, “oh?, no way! Miles the Chef is also from Cape Town”, and so Is Jeremy and Shelly (all part of the crew who along with Jane run Shells). So obviously we all started chatting, and when I met Jeremy and Shelly I asked “where you from?” They said Kommetjie!!! Whaaaaat??? I just flew half way around the world and Im also from Kommetjie!! That is to Rad. A little bit surreal, but instantly I knew I was in a place that was special, it just was evident. Every day since, I have made a daily pilgrimage to Shells for my morning Americano, which has now transmutated into the local specialty of a “Flat White”. Sjoe, now that is a seriously good coffee. It turns out that Jeremy and Shelly know the whole crew from Kom, and over the last few days it has been so awesome to go and share stories of waves, and friends that we both know. You know what, its actually kinda spooky! Have you ever been in a position, where you meet people that know almost everyone you know, and after a day or two you feel like you have known them for years?…anyway, its real strange and awesome – and its just really great to meet great people who do and have done great things, and come from a place that you can understand and relate to.
Ok, so back to the Shop – Why is Shells so Awesome? I would say that Shells is very special because besides having fresh, unique and thoughtful dishes on the menu, is that everything they sell comes from the local community, from their international family and also from Cape Town and Ireland – they bring who they are into this little place and share it with the world. From olives, to art work, surf boards to children’s puzzles – they are all (what I now like to call) love made products. I know it might sound cliche, but everything they sell and everything they do has love attached to it.
I really wanted to share this discovery I made with everyone, so I thought the best way to do that was to shoot some images of the products and some of the visuals available at Shells that keep catching my eye. Luckily Miles and Jane were amped about my idea and allowed me into the shop with my camera and what I really wanted to focus on was the diversity in colour and textures. One could shoot the amazing first class dishes, or all the happy customers, but its already been done in their award winning book The Surf Cafe Book, so I wanted to focus on the colour and the patterns. I hope you can get a slight feeling of the vibe that I see and feel.
I want to encourage you to check out Shells for yourself, if your not in Ireland and you cant make it – then don’t stress, as you can purchase their book and all their products at their online shop. Please go check it out – and seriously – order the book, it will make the perfect addition to your kitchen-ware and decor and besides including a secret stash of taste explosion recipes and inspirations – it also has lots of visuals and information about the area. Go here and check it out : www.shellscafe.com
Shells Cafe and Little Shop is a real success story – no wonder they were featured in an international documentary about Ireland. If you want to know why it works and why it is so successful, and maybe even need direction in creating something similar for yourself – well ill tell you why and ill tell you how, and it is this : “If you follow your dreams and be true to yourself, then others will be drawn to what you are doing and celebrate in the reality of your dreams….that’s Shells, in a nutshell”. Well thats what I think atleast. Hope you enjoy the images.
