This article is from page 12 of the 2011-08-09 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
SOME of the Banner county’s finest baking proved tempting enough for one of the biggest names in Hollywood to make a brief stopover in Ballyvaughan last month.
Acclaimed director Steven Spielberg returned to the north Clare village three weeks ago for a bite to eat at the Ballyvaughan Tea Rooms.
The American’s private jet made a stopover in Shannon Airport while en route to the royal wedding of Prince Albert of Monaco. And the chance to taste another slice of homemade baked mixed berry cheesecake was enough to persuade the Oscar-winning filmmaker to spend three hours in Ballyvaughan.
“When he came in, he said ‘I’m back for the cheesecake’. It was a bit surreal,” said Alan Clarke, who, along with Jane O’Donoghue, runs the Ballyvaughan Tea Rooms.
The 64-year-old sat with a group of 10 friends and family members at the back of the premises.
Alan said, “That was the only thing he wanted, a bit of privacy. He’s a very, very nice man, down to earth and his wife is a lovely woman as well. No airs and graces. They just wanted to be treated like normal people.”
Spielberg previously visited Ballyvaughan in 2009 and is known to be a big admirer of the Burren region.
Alan said, “It was a bit surreal to meet him once. You wouldn’t expect him to come back again. You see this guy sitting at the Oscars, one of the most high-profile directors in the world and you never expect him to be sitting down in front of you on a Saturday afternoon. It was unexpected and pleasant.”
He continued, “The last time he came, he loved the cheesecake. He loves the Burren and he loves coming to Ballyvaughan. He’s very open and vocal about it.”
After finishing his meal, Spielberg posed for photos with Alan, Jane and staff. He clearly enjoyed his latest sample of Clare’s hospitality, telling Alan and Jane, “I’ll be back again.”
The Ballyvaughan Tea Rooms were opened by the O’Donoghue family in 1981.