Whorts and fraocháns.
If you are out on the mountain this time of year you will come across whorts also called fraocháns or
bilberries. These delightful black berries with a shimmer of electric blue are in full season. They are
a real treat on the mountain.
Whorts were once picked on a commercial basis and in 1941 Ireland exported almost 400 tons (CSO)
Whorts were once picked on a commercial basis and in 1941 Ireland exported almost 400 tons (CSO)
of the berry to Britian.
Michael J. Conry's book "Picking Bilberries, Fraocháns and Whorts in Ireland" goes into great detail
Michael J. Conry's book "Picking Bilberries, Fraocháns and Whorts in Ireland" goes into great detail
on the commercial and socio-economic importance of the crop. Michael interviews many people who
picked whorts in the Comeraghs, Knockmealdowns, Galtys and Slievenamon.
For me I love to pick them with wild raspberries, then blend both berries separately and pour the resulting
For me I love to pick them with wild raspberries, then blend both berries separately and pour the resulting
syrup over a slice of vanilla ice-cream. Magic.
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