Who does not love good food festivals? Savouring unique menu items created by passionate growers and producers. Sampling new gastronomic inventions from acclaimed chefs. Restaurateurs showcasing the finest traditions of local cuisine and hospitality. Sipping on delicious brews, distils and ferments. Then shopping for organic, ethically produced, home-grown culinary ingredients and products. Personally, we have largely moved away from animal products but still find plenty to munch on at a good food festival.
There was a plethora of food festivals in the years directly BC (before covid). Unfortunately, the pandemic sounded a death knell to some of our favourites. Well-established or fledgling, many just did not make it through lockdown. No wonder, really, as the experience shared among festival goers cannot be recreated online. Besides, ‘virtual tasting’ is really an oxymoron. Nevertheless, we are keeping our eyes peeled and our fingers crossed for returning and new festivals to get our taste buds burring again. This year, we hope to savour the following on Irelands West Coast (in date order):
Burren Slow Food Festival – May
The beautiful Burren in County Clare makes the region unique in landscape, music and farming traditions. Organised by Slow Food Clare, the festival brings together local growers, producers, chefs and foodies from near and far. We adore the delicious local grub. County Clare is such a fantastic food destination. It is full of small and artisan food producers who source the best quality ingredients locally and in season. Thus, the festival’s interest this year is on the links between local food, geological history and the lifestyles of the Burren’s residents.
Burren top brands and producers include Burren Smokehouse, Burren Gold, Burren Free Range Pork, Burren Beef, St Tola Irish Goat Cheese, Linalla Ice Cream, Burren Fine Wine and Food, Flaggy Shore Oysters, Burren Whiskey Distillery and Wild Kitchen, to name a few. You can sample their artisan wares at the festival’s brilliant farmers’ market. And of course, there are cookery demonstrations from well-known chefs as well as delectable food tastings.
What’s more, The Burren Storehouse hosts the Burren Slow Food Banquet. This is a scrumptious six-course tasting menu that shows off the flavours produced in the Burren. The banquet is prepared by Clare chef Peter Jackson and his colleagues. Local Waygu oysters, St. Tola goats’ cheese, and Burren Smokehouse smoked salmon are all on the menu. Delicious.
Where: Lisdoonvarna, County Clare
When: 19th May 2024
Family Friendly: Yes
Entry Fee: Free – raffle tickets sold at the door. Banquet price tbc.
More Info: Slow Food Clare
Hagstravaganza International Brewery Festival – August
If you like your ales, stouts, lagers, bitters, your IPAs and your pilsners, then Hagstravaganza is a must-attend event. It is the largest international brewery festival in Ireland, with 23 taps and more than 90 beers. Here established global industry leaders from all around the world rub shoulders with new, independent, brewers. Apparently, all the beers flowing at Hagstravaganza have never been poured in Ireland before. What’s more, some are having a world premiere as they were specially brewed for the event. That’s impressive.
Sligo’s first brewery in over 100 years, The White Hag has won Irish Brewery of the Year 2022. Equally important is the team’s partnership in Bord Bia’s Origin Green Sustainability Programme, which sets measurable sustainability targets. When you see them on tap or the shelf, try The White Hag’s stouts, IPAs and sours. But if you can’t make Hagstravaganza in person, then there is a remote element to the festival: the ‘Boxtravaganza’ (loving these names!). You can pre-order a box with 24 beers from festival participating breweries. It will be sent out to you a week before the festival. Ingenious.
Where: The White Hag, Ballymote, County Sligo
When: 2024 date to be announced
Family Friendly: No
Entry Fee: €38.52 incl booking fee
More Info: The White Hag
Galway International Oyster And Seafood Festival – September
Moving on into September, this is a brilliant weekend and oyster and seafood spectacular. Because Galway knows how to throw a great festival and a great party. The Oyster And Seafood Festival has been shucking oysters since 1954, which makes it the oldest oyster festival in the world. It celebrates the start of the rich annual oyster harvest (in season from September to April).
The Irish and World Oyster Opening (or ‘shucking’) Championships are held over the festival weekend. Each competition is conceived as a party and a spectacle with live music, dancing and mouth-watering grub. You can feast on fresh, locally sourced seafood. From Irelands West Coast’s Native oyster to organic smoked salmon to lobster rolls. It’s not all about seafood though. Meat, vegan and vegetarian options are also available in the festival marquee. The free Sunday event (Féile Bia na Mara) then combines seafood showcases with workshops and entertainment for kids. The programme of cookery demonstrations by national and local chefs is called Wild Atlantic Tastes. It’s perfect for picking up a few culinary tips.
Where: Galway City
When: 27th- 29th September 2024
Family Friendly: Some – Féile Bia na Mara
Entry Fee: Main events ticketed, from €45. Féile Bia na Mara is free.
More Info: Galway Oyster Festival
Dingle Food Festival – October
You won’t regret spending the first October weekend in the beautiful fishing town of Dingle on the Wild Atlantic Way. When Indian Summer comes, the Dingle Peninsula is one of the most spectacular places to be. Besides, the pretty town has a great reputation among foodies thanks to amazing restaurants and shops offering superb local artisan food. Then for stocking up on treats to take home, there is an excellent, all weekend, food and wine market. What’s more, the highly coveted and prestigious Taste of Ireland (Blas na hÉireann) National Irish Food Awards are announced as part of the festival.
The Dingle Food Festival is a family friendly food lover’s dream. Cooking demos, farmers markets, arts and crafts workshops, farmer and fisherman conference, wine and whiskey tasting, coffee workshops, as well as craft beer and cider festival. When you arrive, make sure to buy your taste tokens to ‘The Taste Trail’, sold in booklets of 10. It is hugely popular with around 80 stops. Then, in exchange for the tokens, you can savour local gastronomic delights in each location. The Taste Trail runs in pubs, shops, galleries and restaurants. Therefore, it’s a wonderful way to get to know the town as well.
Where: Dingle, County Kerry
When: 4th – 6th October 2024
Family Friendly: Yes
Entry Fee: Free, some events have a small charge
More Info: Dingle Food
Mad Hatter’s Taste Of Kinsale – October
Lastly, you could finish your Irelands West Coast food festival tour in the picturesque town of Kinsale. Not only because in 2018, Kinsale in County Cork won The Restaurants Association of Ireland’s accolade of ‘Top Foodie Town’. We have not been to the Mad Hatter’s Taste of Kinsale, but it looks fantastically bonkers and wonderful. What’s more, Kinsale is a fabulous spot with lots to do for the rest of your weekend.
Mad Hatter’s is a ticketed walking food tour. The guides are Alice, Queen of Hearts, March Hare and indeed the Mad Hatter themselves. You kick off the trail with some bubbly at the Actons Hotel. Then the guides take you off in groups to four delectable venues. Here, the 11 restaurant members of Kinsale’s Good Food Circle and local producers have laid out a spectacular display and delicious dishes to enjoy. Fine wines, beers and water to go with all. The participants are encouraged to wear a mad hat. Doesn’t that sound like masses of fun?
Where: Kinsale, County Cork
When: 2024 dates to be announced
Family Friendly: No
Entry Fee: Yes, price tbc
More Info: Kinsale Good Food Circle