Some of the best travel experiences aren't about simply seeing somewhere.

They're about doing something you'll remember when you get home.

At Margaret's Kitchen in Roscommon, visitors can roll up their sleeves, step into the kitchen and learn how to make some of the traditional Irish food that has been appearing on kitchen tables around the country for generations.

Located just outside Roscommon Town, Margaret's Kitchen is a unique cookery school offering hands-on baking and culinary experiences in a relaxed Irish country kitchen setting.

And if you're going to learn how to make traditional Irish brown bread, you're in pretty good hands.

Margaret Sexton won the National Brown Bread Baking Competition in 2015 and has since become affectionately known as the "Brown Bread Nurse."

Today, Margaret and her husband Kevin welcome visitors into their Roscommon kitchen for everything from traditional baking experiences to cookery classes, afternoon teas and private group events.

For anyone looking for an authentic food experience while exploring Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, this is something a little different.

Where is Margaret's Kitchen?

Margaret's Kitchen is located at The Walk, Cloonybeirne, Roscommon, F42 P791, just outside Roscommon Town.

The countryside location is part of the appeal.

Rather than walking into a large commercial cookery school, the experience has the feel of being welcomed into an Irish country kitchen.

It's also extremely convenient if you're already exploring Roscommon Town and the surrounding area.

Roscommon Castle, Loughnaneane Park and the town centre are all nearby, while attractions including Rathcroghan and Strokestown Park can easily be incorporated into a longer trip around the county.

Meet Margaret Sexton

At the heart of the experience is Margaret Sexton.

Margaret is a passionate baker and cook whose love of traditional Irish food eventually led to national recognition.

In 2015, she won the National Brown Bread Baking Competition.

It's difficult to think of a better qualification for someone teaching you how to make a proper loaf of Irish brown bread.

But Margaret's Kitchen isn't designed to feel like a formal culinary college.

The emphasis is on creating a welcoming, enjoyable atmosphere where people of different cooking abilities can get involved.

You don't need to be an experienced baker.

In fact, you don't need much kitchen experience at all.

The idea is to learn, have fun and hopefully leave with a few new skills – as well as something delicious you've made yourself.

Traditional Irish Brown Bread

Few foods are as closely associated with an Irish kitchen as brown soda bread.

A thick slice with butter beside a bowl of soup is one of those wonderfully simple combinations that you'll find all over Ireland.

Recipes vary enormously between families.

Some use buttermilk.

Some include seeds.

Some are sweeter.

And plenty of Irish families will insist that their grandmother's version is obviously the correct one.

At Margaret's Kitchen, you can actually learn how to make it yourself.

During the Simply Baking experience, each participant makes their own bespoke brown soda bread to take home.

So instead of buying another souvenir from your trip to Ireland, you can leave knowing how to recreate a little piece of it in your own kitchen.

The Simply Baking Experience

One of the experiences currently offered at Margaret's Kitchen is Simply Baking.

This is a hands-on class centred around some classic home baking.

Participants make:

• Brown soda bread
• Light and fluffy scones
• A sweet pastry tart

And importantly, you get to take your baking home afterwards.

The experience is currently priced at €75 per person, with visitors asked to contact Margaret to discuss their booking.

For international visitors particularly, this is the type of Irish experience we'd love to see more people discovering.

You're not simply being served traditional food.

You're learning how to make it.

More Than Brown Bread

While Margaret's award-winning brown bread might be the headline act, Margaret's Kitchen offers much more than one baking class.

Experiences can include a variety of cooking and baking classes, with an emphasis on seasonal and locally sourced Irish ingredients.

Discover Ireland highlights experiences ranging from pastry making to preparing canapés while enjoying a glass of bubbly.

The County Roscommon Tourism Strategy also identifies Margaret's Kitchen as a distinctive local food experience offering activities including Demo & Dine, afternoon tea and traditional baking workshops.

That means it's worth checking the current programme rather than assuming every visit is identical.

Different experiences may be available depending on the time of year and the type of group visiting.

Seasonal and Local Irish Ingredients

One of the nicest aspects of Margaret's approach is the emphasis on seasonal, locally sourced Irish produce.

Irish cooking has traditionally been closely tied to what could be grown, reared or produced locally.

Potatoes, vegetables, dairy products, oats and grains have all played enormous roles in Irish food culture.

A modern Irish food experience doesn't have to abandon those traditions.

Instead, places like Margaret's Kitchen can show visitors how simple local ingredients can be turned into something memorable.

Afternoon Tea

Margaret's Kitchen also offers afternoon tea experiences.

This makes it an interesting option for birthdays, celebrations, small groups or simply anyone who enjoys the sweeter side of Irish baking.

The exact offering can vary, so we'd recommend contacting Margaret directly to discuss what's available for the date you're considering.

And given Margaret's baking credentials, arriving hungry probably isn't a bad idea.

Demo & Dine Experiences

Another experience associated with Margaret's Kitchen is Demo & Dine.

The idea combines cookery demonstration with the considerably more enjoyable part – sitting down afterwards and eating.

For visitors who love food but don't necessarily want to spend the entire experience doing the cooking themselves, this can be a great alternative to a fully hands-on class.

It also works particularly well for groups.

Rather than simply booking another restaurant meal, you're adding an experience and some interaction around the food.

Groups and Special Occasions

Margaret's Kitchen can be particularly well suited to small groups and special occasions.

Cooking naturally gets people talking and working together.

That makes a cookery experience an interesting option for friends, family groups, work colleagues and celebrations.

Depending on the event, experiences can be tailored around baking, cooking or a more relaxed food-focused gathering.

If you're organising something specific, we'd recommend contacting Margaret directly rather than simply assuming a standard class will be the best fit.

Food Allergies and Intolerances

Anyone with a food allergy or intolerance should discuss this when booking.

Margaret's Kitchen asks participants to declare relevant allergies and intolerances in advance.

If you have a serious allergy or specific dietary requirement, contact Margaret before making your booking to establish whether the particular class is suitable.

Booking Margaret's Kitchen

Experiences at Margaret's Kitchen should be booked in advance.

Places on courses are limited and bookings are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

Because the experiences and classes available can change throughout the year, we'd recommend checking the current programme or contacting Margaret directly before travelling.

This isn't an attraction where we'd suggest simply turning up at the door and hoping a class happens to be starting.

Plan it as part of your Roscommon visit.

Experiences are priced individually and are subject to minimum numbers. For more information, contact Margaret herself — find all the details on the BOOK NOW button below.

Things to Do Near Margaret's Kitchen

Margaret's Kitchen is in an excellent location for combining a food experience with some of Roscommon's best attractions.

One of the easiest combinations is Roscommon Castle.

The substantial 13th-century ruins are free to explore and sit beside Loughnaneane Park, where you'll also find walking areas, wildlife habitat and a children's playground.

You could explore the castle and park before heading to Margaret's Kitchen for your cookery experience.

Roscommon Town itself is also nearby, making it easy to stop for shopping, coffee or a wander around town.

Travel a little further and you can explore Rathcroghan, the ancient royal site of Connacht and one of Ireland's most important archaeological landscapes.

There's also Strokestown Park, while Lough Key Forest & Activity Park near Boyle makes a brilliant option if you're spending longer in County Roscommon.

A Different Way to Experience Roscommon

Roscommon is often associated with lakes, castles, ancient sites and rural landscapes.

But food deserves to be part of the county's tourism story too.

Margaret's Kitchen is even specifically highlighted within the County Roscommon Tourism Strategy as one of the county's distinctive visitor experiences.

And it's easy to understand why.

This isn't something you can experience by looking through a car window.

You have to participate.

That's exactly the type of attraction that can make a trip more memorable.

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Travel Through Ireland Tip: Book this alongside Roscommon Castle for a completely different kind of day in Roscommon. Spend the morning exploring the castle ruins and Loughnaneane Park before heading to Margaret's Kitchen for an afternoon baking experience. And if you're visiting Ireland from overseas, we'd particularly recommend the traditional baking experience. You can buy souvenirs anywhere. Learning how to make a proper Irish brown soda bread is something you can take home and use again and again.

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Location	The Walk, Cloonybeirne, Roscommon, F42 P791
Type	Cookery school and Irish food experience
Run by	Margaret Sexton with her husband Kevin
Known for	Traditional baking and award-winning brown bread
National Brown Bread Baking Competition	Winner in 2015
Experiences	Baking classes, cookery experiences, Demo & Dine, afternoon tea and group events
Simply Baking	Brown soda bread, scones and sweet pastry tart
Booking	Advance booking recommended
Best for	Food lovers, visitors, groups, families and hands-on experiences
Nearby	Roscommon Town, Roscommon Castle, Loughnaneane Park, Rathcroghan and Strokestown Park