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Mushrooms

Inspired by a childhood spent picking 'shrooms near his home in Galway, Dublin-based software consultant "Big Bill" O'Dea has been running mushroom hunts in Ireland for seven years. Next Saturday sees the first event of the season, in Avondale, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow. O'Dea says the seasonal hunts involve lumbering through autumnal mists to sort the edible mushrooms, such as puffballs and parasols, from the sickeners, death caps, panthers, deceivers and destroying angels. "More people die from mushroom-picking than hang-gliding" is what he likes to tell participants, to get rid of any notions that it might be a nerdy pursuit. O'Dea says that, unlike other Europeans, 99 per cent of Irish people avoid eating wild mushrooms because of the risk of serious poisoning. "The other 1 per cent has enough knowledge to differentiate the good eaters from the dangerously poisonous toadstools." After the hunt, which involves a mushroom- identification workshop, you get to taste what you picked and enjoy a slap-up gourmet meal with other pickers. Next Saturday and on October 1 the location is Avondale. On Sunday, October 8th, the venue is top secret. Call 0404-46111 or see www.mushroom stuff.com. Tickets, including lunch, cost €80 each.