An Italian inspired corner of The Garden of Ireland – Killruddery in Bray, Co. Wicklow introduces ‘Pizza Shed’ to Killruddery Yard
Anthony and Fionnuala Brabazon, Lord and Lady Ardee of Killruddery are delighted to announce the opening of ‘Pizza Shed’, a brand-new, sixty-seater pizzeria to Killruddery Yard, the ever-evolving food and shopping space located at this historic House and Gardens in Bray, Co. Wicklow.
Pizza Shed is located in a freshly renovated stable building in Killruddery’s magnificent Yard, adjacent to the Farm Shop and right across from the Coffee Shop and award-winning Grain Store.
Pizza Shed began life as a food truck on the estate in 2021, overseen by Head Chef Niall O’Sullivan and Head Pizzaiola John Faulkner, whose wood-fired sourdough pizzas topped with Killruddery ingredients have been a massive hit over the past year. Having outgrown the truck, O’Sullivan and his team have expanded into the Pizza Shed, where they stoke up the wood-fired oven (purpose built in Italy and fired by wood from Killruddery Estate), to create delicious, Neapolitan inspired sourdough pizza using quality, Irish ingredients grown and reared at Killruddery.
Pizza Shed opened in mid-March and the menu remains carefully focused with seven sourdough pizzas, ranging from the classics – Margherita, Pepperoni – to more tailored options – Pork Special, Classico, Guanciale and a Vegan Special. Alongside vegetables grown in the Walled Garden, herb oils and aromatic basil from the Pit House (a Victorian glasshouse, recently restored and located in the Walled Garden), toppings include creamy Toonsbridge fior di latte, potatoes from Ballymakenny Farm, Walled Garden vegetables, local products and the very best Italian tomatoes grown in the volcanic soil of Vesuvius. Prices vary from €12 to €15 per pizza. And to drink – organic wines, and a selection of soft drinks including kombucha, pink lemonade, ginger beer and bramble sting.
In time, these sourdough pizzas will be complemented by a selection of salads changing with the seasons – one fresh, one grain, one roast. There will be two potted desserts too – simple and delicious, using excellent chocolate and ingredients foraged from the woodlands around Killruddery, which will also be available to purchase from the Farm Shop.
The dough for these pizzas are made from scratch using “00” flour mixed with Killruddery well water and prized sourdough starter – the 72-hour fermentation time makes the dough delicious. For the tomato sauce, with only the best San Marzano tomatoes from outside Naples, with nothing added except salt and extra virgin olive oil. The toppings from the Walled Garden are grown in a pesticide and chemical-free environment.
Pizza Shed is located in a 19th Century stable building in Killruddery Yard. During each visit, customers can expect to dine on delicious, wood-fired sourdough pizzas with sight of the large, purpose built pizza oven, surrounded by exposed stone granite walls and wooden beams, white metro style tiles, Carrara marble counter tops and carefully sourced interior pieces. Pizza Shed also features a dedicated hatch for online order collection, and a large dining area for groups.
Speaking about the launch of Pizza Shed in Killruddery Yard, Fionnuala Brabazon said; “We know our visitor base has varying needs, wants and likes, so alongside our Grain Store for sit-down breakfast and lunch, and the Coffee Shop for coffee, sandwiches and cakes, we’ve been delighted to round-up our offering with the introduction of Pizza Shed to Killruddery Yard. With an oven large enough to cater for many, and a space that feels both rustic and laid back, we’ve enjoyed watching its visitor base grow and customer’s delight in the product! We invite everyone to come by Pizza Shed and enjoy a Neapolitan-style sourdough pizza made with many Estate and local ingredients, but using flour and tomatoes grown in the Italian sun.”
Pizza Shed at Killruddery Yard is open Thursday – Sunday, 12.00 – 21.00, with dine-in and takeaway (collection only) both available. For more information, visit www.killruddery.com, and order pizzas from pizza.killruddery.com
