And just down the road from Lavistown House, Eugene McSweeney will shortly be kicking off his annual cookery classes in Lacken House, on the outskirts of the city. The courses are typically quirky explorations of many aspects of cooking: death by chocolate; cooking for men only; the perfect breakfast (aimed at people in the B&B and catering business); cooking for one; matching food and wine with Breda McSweeney; and vegetarian cooking. Accommodation is offered at reduced rates. Lacken House, Dublin Road, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny. Tel: 056-61085