Brought to you by Clonakilty Whitepudding. 

Breakfast is the new brunch.

And if there’s one thing that’s guaranteed to make the first meal of the day more magical, it’s choosing a spectacular setting for a seaside picnic.

The school holidays are the perfect time to round up the kids (or your housemates) and hit the road early to savour a delicious breakfast alfresco. You could even plan a romantic pre-work spin with your other half and start the day with a date.

Early birds also beat the traffic en route to the beach and enjoy a choice of the best parking spots so it’s a win/win.

Planning a beachside brekkie? Here are six essentials to pack:

1. A cosy blanket 

Once you pick the perfect picturesque picnic spot, the first step in setting the scene is to lay down a large blanket. If you have room in the car and some willing helpers, bring along some comfy cushions or deck chairs too.

2. Good coffee

That first sip of morning caffeine tastes even more glorious on the beach. Pack a flask of steaming locally roasted Red Strand or West Cork Coffee and proper mugs to enjoy it from. Many of Cork’s beaches are home to top-notch coffee stalls too so keep an eye out for these if you fancy a top-up.

3. A chopping board

This often-forgotten piece of kitchen kit is worth its weight in gold at a picnic. You’ll need a hard surface for slicing fresh bread and fruit, balancing cups for drinks, and pouring hot coffee and tea; a trusty chopping board or a large tray is ideal.

4. Clonakilty Whitepudding

Whether you cook it before you leave or fire up the breakfast barbecue and grill it to order on the beach, no proper Cork brekkie is complete without Clonakilty Whitepudding.

We love it served with fresh crusty bread, a fried egg, and a dollop of ketchup or relish. You can also enjoy it in a breakfast bap topped with a spoon of apple sauce and some fried onion – delicious.

If you’re pre-packing your picnic, make up a batch of egg muffin cups and top each one with a slice of fried Clonakilty Whitepudding.

5. Bin bags

Nobody likes a litterbug. Use Tupperware, ice packs and eco-friendly food wraps to keep your picnic goodies fresh en route to the seaside and help keep Cork’s pristine beaches clean by bringing home all your litter and disposing of it properly.

You could even pay it forward by organising a litter pick on the sand and leaving the beach even cleaner than you found it.

6. Swimsuits and towels

No beach breakfast is complete without a dip in the sea afterwards. Check out Clonakilty Whitepudding’s guide to Cork’s best sunrise sea swimming spots for inspiration and make a plan to visit every one this summer.

Clonakilty Whitepudding is made to an original Twomey family recipe using wholesome ingredients supplied by Irish farmers. A delicious blend of pork, oatmeal, onions and spices, the texture and the spicy taste of Clonakilty Whitepudding have made this delicacy an Irish breakfast favourite, available in all good supermarkets across Ireland. To find a stockist, visit the website.