As a country renowned for its rich culinary heritage and vibrant food culture, it’s no wonder we are home to some of the greatest food festivals around. Promising a feast for the senses, here’s a roundup of some foodie favourites from around the country.
Sinéad and Cindy of Mungo Murphy's Seaweed Company taking attendees on a tour of their seaweed farm.
A Taste of Galway (29-31 May)
One of the first of the season is Galway’s lively ‘Blas na Bealtaine’ food festival.
The festival’s fifth and final week begins on 29 May, with a tour to the Gaeltacht district. The day consists of a farm walk at An Garraí Glas; lunch at Baile na hAbhann; shore foraging; an aquaculture farm tour; seaweed snacks and coffee and then craft beer and seafood.
On 30 May, there will be a three-hour culinary walking tour of the city. Attendees will get to experience a range of artisan producers including cheesemakers and some creative beer flavours.
The festival will finish on 31 May, with two events: a three-hour culinary walking tour and a boat seafood tasting experience by local Claddagh fisherman, Ciaran Oliver.
On the boat, attendees will have the chance to take in Galway’s maritime heritage and hear captivating stories that capture the history of the Claddagh Village. Afterwards, a seafood taster plate at Galway Bay Seafoods will marry the story and the flavours.Tickets start from €50 per person.
See atasteofgalway.com
LegenDerry Street Food Festival (27-30 June)
LegenDerry Street Food Festival is part of the wider Foyle Maritime Festival and is situated along the water in the city of Derry.
LegenDerry Food Village will be bringing together the best of local businesses using seasonal and sustainable produce.
The festival is centred around creating authentic international flavours with a local twist. Some of LegenDerry’s most celebrated delicacies include wood-fired pizzas, smoked slow barbecued meats and local oysters.
This year, there will be some new craft beers and cocktails, using local spirits from The Walled City Brewery, Rough Bros, Northbound Brewery and Wild Atlantic Distillery.
Other highlights include a bespoke lighting show along the river and a showcase of the new DNA museum. Tickets are free of charge.
See foylemartime.com
Scrumdiddlyumptious 2023 festival.
Scrumdiddlyumptious Festival of Food (28-30 June)
The Scrumdiddlyumptious Festival of Food at Kaleidoscope is returning to Russborough House in Wicklow this year. The festival is known for being a fun family day out of food workshops, music, dance and crafts.
Cookery demos will be one of the highlights with well-known chefs Derry Clarke and Erica Dunne. Author Oliver McCabe will also be involved in a kids’ cooking class, hosted by chef Lou Robbie.
For music, this summer’s line-up includes The Kooks, The Waterboys, The Academic and Dublin Gospel Choir.
Family line-up programme highlights include School Fitness Ireland, Music Generation and Conradh na Gaeilge.
Tickets are €250 for a weekend family of four, single adult day tickets are from €50 and single child tickets cost €35.
See kaleidoscopefestival.ie
Flavours of Fingal.
Flavours of Fingal (29-30 June)
This year’s Flavours of Fingal is taking place at Newbridge House and Farm in Swords, Dublin. Now in its 12th year, it is a weekend of local food, agriculture, music and entertainment.
The weekend also includes educational elements such as horticultural and cookery demonstrations, as well as workshops.
Last year, more than 65,000 visitors attended the weekend and organisers are planning for an even bigger event.
Key features of this year’s festival include seed sowing, basket making, theatre skills and a quiet zone for families who need some space. A wellness lawn has also been added with yoga, Pilates, and dance.
Tickets for the event are free for those who walk, cycle, or travel by public transport.
See flavoursoffingal.ie
Fishmonger Pat O'Connell at last year's Cork on a Fork Food Festival.
Cork on a Fork Food Festival (14-18 August)
Cork on a Fork Festival returns to Cork City for five days in August, featuring new food experiences, food trails, tasting masterclasses, street events and demo cooking classes.
It’s a celebration of all things food and Cork, bringing together the magic ingredients of this authentic, innovative and multicultural food destination. There will also be new sustainability workshops and pop-up experiences in unusual locations. The festival began in 2022, to celebrate the city’s evolving dining and nightlife scene and fully kicked off in 2023. Tickets are free of charge.
See corkcity.ie/en/cork-on-a-fork-fest
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As a country renowned for its rich culinary heritage and vibrant food culture, it’s no wonder we are home to some of the greatest food festivals around. Promising a feast for the senses, here’s a roundup of some foodie favourites from around the country.
Sinéad and Cindy of Mungo Murphy's Seaweed Company taking attendees on a tour of their seaweed farm.
A Taste of Galway (29-31 May)
One of the first of the season is Galway’s lively ‘Blas na Bealtaine’ food festival.
The festival’s fifth and final week begins on 29 May, with a tour to the Gaeltacht district. The day consists of a farm walk at An Garraí Glas; lunch at Baile na hAbhann; shore foraging; an aquaculture farm tour; seaweed snacks and coffee and then craft beer and seafood.
On 30 May, there will be a three-hour culinary walking tour of the city. Attendees will get to experience a range of artisan producers including cheesemakers and some creative beer flavours.
The festival will finish on 31 May, with two events: a three-hour culinary walking tour and a boat seafood tasting experience by local Claddagh fisherman, Ciaran Oliver.
On the boat, attendees will have the chance to take in Galway’s maritime heritage and hear captivating stories that capture the history of the Claddagh Village. Afterwards, a seafood taster plate at Galway Bay Seafoods will marry the story and the flavours.Tickets start from €50 per person.
See atasteofgalway.com
LegenDerry Street Food Festival (27-30 June)
LegenDerry Street Food Festival is part of the wider Foyle Maritime Festival and is situated along the water in the city of Derry.
LegenDerry Food Village will be bringing together the best of local businesses using seasonal and sustainable produce.
The festival is centred around creating authentic international flavours with a local twist. Some of LegenDerry’s most celebrated delicacies include wood-fired pizzas, smoked slow barbecued meats and local oysters.
This year, there will be some new craft beers and cocktails, using local spirits from The Walled City Brewery, Rough Bros, Northbound Brewery and Wild Atlantic Distillery.
Other highlights include a bespoke lighting show along the river and a showcase of the new DNA museum. Tickets are free of charge.
See foylemartime.com
Scrumdiddlyumptious 2023 festival.
Scrumdiddlyumptious Festival of Food (28-30 June)
The Scrumdiddlyumptious Festival of Food at Kaleidoscope is returning to Russborough House in Wicklow this year. The festival is known for being a fun family day out of food workshops, music, dance and crafts.
Cookery demos will be one of the highlights with well-known chefs Derry Clarke and Erica Dunne. Author Oliver McCabe will also be involved in a kids’ cooking class, hosted by chef Lou Robbie.
For music, this summer’s line-up includes The Kooks, The Waterboys, The Academic and Dublin Gospel Choir.
Family line-up programme highlights include School Fitness Ireland, Music Generation and Conradh na Gaeilge.
Tickets are €250 for a weekend family of four, single adult day tickets are from €50 and single child tickets cost €35.
See kaleidoscopefestival.ie
Flavours of Fingal.
Flavours of Fingal (29-30 June)
This year’s Flavours of Fingal is taking place at Newbridge House and Farm in Swords, Dublin. Now in its 12th year, it is a weekend of local food, agriculture, music and entertainment.
The weekend also includes educational elements such as horticultural and cookery demonstrations, as well as workshops.
Last year, more than 65,000 visitors attended the weekend and organisers are planning for an even bigger event.
Key features of this year’s festival include seed sowing, basket making, theatre skills and a quiet zone for families who need some space. A wellness lawn has also been added with yoga, Pilates, and dance.
Tickets for the event are free for those who walk, cycle, or travel by public transport.
See flavoursoffingal.ie
Fishmonger Pat O'Connell at last year's Cork on a Fork Food Festival.
Cork on a Fork Food Festival (14-18 August)
Cork on a Fork Festival returns to Cork City for five days in August, featuring new food experiences, food trails, tasting masterclasses, street events and demo cooking classes.
It’s a celebration of all things food and Cork, bringing together the magic ingredients of this authentic, innovative and multicultural food destination. There will also be new sustainability workshops and pop-up experiences in unusual locations. The festival began in 2022, to celebrate the city’s evolving dining and nightlife scene and fully kicked off in 2023. Tickets are free of charge.
See corkcity.ie/en/cork-on-a-fork-fest
Read more
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