Sir, – I strongly refute Frank McNally’s outrageous suggestion that Bewley’s Mary cake was “never perhaps as famous as the sticky bun or almond roll” (“Sweet and sour: Frank McNally on how Russian brutality brought the Mary cake to Ireland”, An Irish Diary, October 23rd).

Admittedly, those were also fine confections, as was Bewley’s legendary brack – at the time, so full of fruit it could have been one of your “five a day”. But the queen of all Bewley confections was the Mary cake with chocolate fondant, topped with marzipan and surrounded by chocolate.

It may have been a monument to cholesterol, but it was also an unforgettable childhood treat. – Yours, etc,

GEOFF SCARGILL,

Bray,

Co Wicklow.

Source: The Irish Times · Tue Oct 27 2026 - 05:00 • 1 MIN READ

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