The creative arts were displayed in the Letterkenny Institute of Technology School of Tourism Killybegs last week when French Confectioners Luc Debove and Jean Luc Keannelly spent a full day on Wednesday from 9 am to 6 pm carving an ice sculpture model of the proposed restoration of Killybegs St Mary's Church of the Visitation.

The sculpture was a crowning piece to the culmination of a three-day workshop at the school delivering an Advanced Pastry workshop to the students of the Pastry and Confectionery modules of a ‘BA in Culinary Arts’, which saw some of the northwest’s prominent chefs and Chocolatier in attendance, among these, Vicky Boughton Pastry Chef McNean House & Restaurant Blacklion, Brian McDermott Head Chef Keely’s Seafood Restaurant and ‘NW Food and Safety’ Moville, Hugh McNamee ‘Velure Chocolates’ Donegal, all assisted by Sean McCloskey Derrylaghan Hostel, Cill Charthaigh (Kilcar).

Speaking to the Democrat/People’s Press, Ms Noeleen Boyle the school’s Pastry Lecturer said, “It was really a privilege for the staff, learners and community to have the calibre of Luc and Jean Luc over the last three days. I am delighted, as a personal favour Luc Debove the current European Ice Sculptor who has just returned from Russia and Japan, to take time from his busy schedule to come to Killybegs to share his expertise.”

On Monday, Noeleen, working with Luc and Jean Luc, delivered a creative sugar course to include the ‘Creation of a subject in poured sugar’, ‘Pulled and blown sugar flowers – titled ‘Modern Nature- with rose, orchid, tropical flowers’, ‘Pulled sugar ribbons’ Croquembouche complete Nougatine base’.

Tuesday afternoon saw the public treated in the Millennium Restaurant observing these two master craftsmen from the Grand Hotel Cap Ferrat Nice, assisted by Hugh McNamee create a chocolate display piece and a butter sculpture, while on Wednesday queues formed to view the beautifully carved, scaled down resemblance in ice, of St Mary’s Church, with donations towards the much needed funds for the restoration of this historic building.