Seven foodie festivals offering a chance for a last bite of the summer
Cork on a Fork
Cork on a Fork will take place from Wednesday, August 13 through to Sunday, August 17, 2025. The festival celebrates Cork's unique food scene and everything the rebel county has to offer from Atlantic seafood to spice beef to artisan cheeses and more.
Almost 100 events will take place in Cork city over the course of this week from street events to chef collaborations and cooking demonstrations as well bite-sized talks and plenty of fun for all the family.
Some Cork's top-rated restaurants, cafés, pubs and artisan producers are set to join the festivities to create a thriving outdoor dining scene over the course of five days.
The Big Grill Festival Dublin
Kicking off on Thursday, August 14 until Sunday, August 17, 2025, Europe's biggest live-fire food and BBQ festival The Big Grill Festival, Dublin promises something for everyone from craft beers and cocktail bars to live music and the best in the BBQ business from all over the world.
Taste of Kildare
For two days only, Taste of Kildare will take place at Naas Racecourse from Saturday, August 16 until Sunday, August 17 bringing all the county has to offer to one venue.
Attendees will get to taste the best Kildare food producers have to offer from oysters to craft beers washed down with live music and cooking demos from those in the know to take home a little piece of vibrant food scene to your own kitchen.
Monaghan Street Food Festival
It is that time of year again when Monaghan town transforms into the ultimate foodie's dream with bustling stalls with aromas and flavours for the Monaghan Street Food Festival on Saturday, August 23, 2025
The festival will showcase all Monaghan has to offer from artisan meats and cheese to delectable desserts as well as handmade goods such as jewellery and pottery.
There will also be cooking demos delivered by the best local chefs and live music to add to the buzzing atmosphere on the day.
Dalkey Lobster Festival
From Saturday, August 23 to Sunday August 24, Dalkey Lobster Festival will have something for everyone from live music to face-painting for children and of course 'Cuisine de Dalkey' offering up a storm of lobster rolls, paella, seafood chowder, crab claws and more.
The Tramyard Village is also back this year for the festival with market stalls bursting vintage clothing, art and jewellery.
The Eatyard Crisp Festival Dublin
Sometimes simple is better and that is certainly the case with the Eatyard Crisp Festival taking place from Friday, August 29 to Sunday, August 31 in Drumcondra, Dublin.
The humble crisp is being celebrated in all it glory in a variety of different ways from crisp tasting menus and crisp and pint deals to a DIY crisp sambo making competition sure to put crisp connoisseurs through their paces.
There will also be a Crispy Quiz and blind crisp tasting competition on the day followed by live music from DJs, bands and entertainers.
West Cork Food Festival
Closing out the last Sunday of the summer, West Cork Food Festival will make its debut on August 31 in Skibbereen to celebrate local culinary artists and give the public a taste of a variety of different street food, cheeses, fermented kombucha and much more.
This new event will take place right in the heart of Skibbereen in the Old Mart Yard Car Park transforming it into a hub of activity and a culinary celebration of the region's finest artisans, food innovators and producers who put Cork on the foodie map.
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Irish Examiner
15 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Weather fails to rain on the parade as five-day Cork on a Fork food festival kicks off
In a city with an Irish name that translates as 'marsh' or 'bog' and in a county with the second-highest rainfall rates in the country, choosing to gamble with the weather gods is invariably one of the longest shots of all. On foot of forecasts of heavy evening downpours, the decision was made to bring the outdoor long table dinner on MacCurtain St, Cork on a Fork food festival's flagship event, indoors into the Metropole Hotel. Early yesterday morning, the Good Day Deli restaurant in the Nano Nagle Centre was a hive of activity preparing for Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy to formally launch Cork on a Fork. It was then immediately followed by the opening event, Cork on a Fork media partner Irish Examiner's business breakfast, sponsored by retail giant Musgrave. But, amidst the general hubbub, festival manager Niamh Murphy and her crew were huddled around phones, hoping one of the multitude of weather forecasting apps being consulted would contradict the overwhelming predictions of heavy evening showers at precisely the same time dinner would be served up to the 450 diners slated to sit down at an outdoor table running the length of MacCurtain St. A collaboration of 20 chefs led by Alex Petit put the finishing touches on salad course during the VQ Shared Table. Picture: Chani Anderson With a decision required by 10am on whether to host the event outdoors or revert to the fallback plan of moving it inside to the Metropole Hotel, to allow sufficient time to build the temporary infrastructure necessary to host so many diners for a drinks reception followed by five-course dinner, Ms Murphy and her crew agonised over the call. The decision switched back and forth, until eventually, head won out over heart and Ms Murphy and the Victorian Quarter (VQ) organising committee made the call to move it indoors, deciding a deluge of rainfall would hardly make the ideal sauce for the evening meal. This was after which every sunburst from behind the clouds was greeted as a two fingers up to the organisers, while intermittent and heavy showers justified a decision very reluctantly taken. 'At the end of the day,' said Ms Murphy, 'We had to put the experience of the diners first. Mary Hydes, Sandra Looney, and Lynda O'Donnell at the drinks reception on MacCurtain Street during the VQ Shared Dining Experience at the Cork on a Fork Festival. Picture: Chani Anderson "Over 20 chefs from the VQ have poured their heart and soul into this menu, which ultimately is the primary focus of the night, and we couldn't risk ruining their efforts with the forecasts being so unpredictable. We hope that the diners appreciated their huge effort. 'There was still an element of the outdoor experience and, thanks to TS Events, who played a blinder to help us, we secured a marquee at the last minute to ensure the drinks reception could be hosted on the street before going in to dine.' The newly refurbished Metropole made for a splendid venue, and a genuinely superb dinner, considering it was being served up to 450 guests, was every bit as good as it would have been outside — a five-course sharing menu featuring the cream of Cork producers, beginning with snacks and then bread and dips, followed by starters of Castletownbere crab and Glenbrook Farm pork terrine. The main course featured Fitzgerald black Angus striploin 'rosé', while delicious dessert starred West Cork strawberries. Lady Mayoress Karen Brennan enjoying the 'long table' dinner in the Metropole hotel on MacCurtain St. Picture: Chani Anderson The first plates hit tables, a few brief showers fell, but after that, the evening remained dry and balmy. Whether that rain fell in sufficient volume to deter Corkonians, well used to the stuff, was briefly debated before the party resumed. Chairman of the VQ business district, Liam Maher, said: 'Despite the disappointment of having to move such a unique event indoors, we were delighted to host the opening night of Cork on a Fork Fest once again this year with an evening that not only showcases the food and flavours of Cork, but also highlights what can be achieved when we all work together to put a spotlight on this fantastic city which we all love. "This evening's experience has been brought to you by 20 chefs and over 40 front-of-house staff from across the VQ, and it's an incredible showcase of what we have to offer.' In the heel of the hunt, if you choose to gamble in the weather gods' casino, the house invariably wins. Either way, it was a tremendous evening and a superb celebration of the best of Cork food. Maybe next year, we'll just take the brollies and stay outside.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Cork on a Fork: Feasting, fun, and quality food are on the menu at five-day festival
The Cork on a Fork food festival gets underway on Wednesday with a five-day programme of food-related fun, frolics, and feasting in all corners of the city. The launch event at Good Day Deli in the Nano Nagle Centre is followed by a sold-out business breakfast in the same venue, hosted by the Irish Examiner, and Cork-based food retail giant, Musgrave, with a breakfast menu featuring finest Cork produce. The breakfast is followed by a discussion exploring the theme, 'Putting a price on quality — promoting specialty foods in a cost-conscious market' with guest speakers Musgrave chief commercial officer Patricia Blackshields; Alan and Valerie Kingston of Glenilen Farm; Shannon Forrest of Rivesci; and Conrad Howard of the Market Lane Group. The Cork on a Fork programme features many of the city and county's finest chefs, food businesses, local producers and growers, with over 100 events including unique dining experiences, street feasts, free talks and demos, food trails, and brewery and distillery tours. Plates & Pairings takes place at Jacques Restaurant on Oliver Plunkett St, one of Cork's original torchbearers for premium local produce. File picture: Eddie O'Hare Many of the events are free of charge but some of the more high-profile events are ticketed, such as the VQ Shared Table dinner, as the restaurants and hospitality venues in and around MacCurtain St come together to feed 450 diners on a table stretching the length of the iconic city thoroughfare. Other notable events on the programme include Pig on a Spit and Craicly Stories at Peter Twomey's Glenbrook Farm, including a Blarney Brewing Co drinks reception and pig-on-a-spit dinner. Lamb shawarma kebabs, Georgian wines, and live music will be on the menu at L'Atitude 51 on Union Quay when it hosts QuayBabs during the Cork on a Fork festival. File picture L'Atitude 51 will host QuayBabs on the riverside terrace outside their Union Quay premises, featuring lamb shawarma kebabs, Georgian wines, and live music. Smokin' Soul X Casks sees live fire cooking masters, Smokin' Soul, team up with Cask head chef Robert Birins for a barbecue feast in the restaurant's outdoor space. Plates & Pairings at Jacques Restaurant, one of the original torch-bearers for premium local produce, will be a celebration of the very best Cork food and drink; and Savour the Spirit is an evening dinner collaboration between Hayfield Manor and Rebel City Distillery. Among the highlights at the 2025 Cork on a Fork festival will be the VQ Shared Table on MacCurtain St and the Irish Examiner Eats Club dinner. Picture: Joleen Cronin Inclusivity is intrinsic throughout the programme, with chef Orla McAndrew curating Breaking Bread, an immersive food and community experience set in St Peter's, featuring food from Cork's vibrant migrant community, along with performances by the Cork Shakespearean Company. An Evening of Flavour and Friendship with Down Syndrome Cork Youth Club will see the group's members showcase their culinary chops in collaboration with Cornstore Head Chef Maura Baxter, for a special three-course dinner, at the Coal Quay restaurant. Those same youth club members will deliver a live demo on Emmet Place on Sunday morning with their mentor, Chef Hugh. Come the weekend, the live demo stage outside Cork's Opera House becomes the centre of activity with a packed programme of demos featuring some of Cork's finest ambassadors of the best in Irish food. The programme continues throughout Sunday, with plenty of family and child-friendly events on the city's streets before the festival finally closes as the Irish Examiner Eats Club, an exclusive dining series for Irish Examiner subscribers, fetches up at The Glass Curtain restaurant for a very special bespoke five-course dinner specially created by chef/proprietor Brian Murray. • For more about this year's Cork on a Fork keep an eye on the Irish Examiner in print and online and visit
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Seven foodie festivals offering a chance for a last bite of the summer
Here are seven festivals not to be missed! Cork on a Fork Cork on a Fork will take place from Wednesday, August 13 through to Sunday, August 17, 2025. The festival celebrates Cork's unique food scene and everything the rebel county has to offer from Atlantic seafood to spice beef to artisan cheeses and more. Almost 100 events will take place in Cork city over the course of this week from street events to chef collaborations and cooking demonstrations as well bite-sized talks and plenty of fun for all the family. Some Cork's top-rated restaurants, cafés, pubs and artisan producers are set to join the festivities to create a thriving outdoor dining scene over the course of five days. The Big Grill Festival Dublin Kicking off on Thursday, August 14 until Sunday, August 17, 2025, Europe's biggest live-fire food and BBQ festival The Big Grill Festival, Dublin promises something for everyone from craft beers and cocktail bars to live music and the best in the BBQ business from all over the world. Taste of Kildare For two days only, Taste of Kildare will take place at Naas Racecourse from Saturday, August 16 until Sunday, August 17 bringing all the county has to offer to one venue. Attendees will get to taste the best Kildare food producers have to offer from oysters to craft beers washed down with live music and cooking demos from those in the know to take home a little piece of vibrant food scene to your own kitchen. Monaghan Street Food Festival It is that time of year again when Monaghan town transforms into the ultimate foodie's dream with bustling stalls with aromas and flavours for the Monaghan Street Food Festival on Saturday, August 23, 2025 The festival will showcase all Monaghan has to offer from artisan meats and cheese to delectable desserts as well as handmade goods such as jewellery and pottery. There will also be cooking demos delivered by the best local chefs and live music to add to the buzzing atmosphere on the day. Dalkey Lobster Festival From Saturday, August 23 to Sunday August 24, Dalkey Lobster Festival will have something for everyone from live music to face-painting for children and of course 'Cuisine de Dalkey' offering up a storm of lobster rolls, paella, seafood chowder, crab claws and more. The Tramyard Village is also back this year for the festival with market stalls bursting vintage clothing, art and jewellery. The Eatyard Crisp Festival Dublin Sometimes simple is better and that is certainly the case with the Eatyard Crisp Festival taking place from Friday, August 29 to Sunday, August 31 in Drumcondra, Dublin. The humble crisp is being celebrated in all it glory in a variety of different ways from crisp tasting menus and crisp and pint deals to a DIY crisp sambo making competition sure to put crisp connoisseurs through their paces. There will also be a Crispy Quiz and blind crisp tasting competition on the day followed by live music from DJs, bands and entertainers. West Cork Food Festival Closing out the last Sunday of the summer, West Cork Food Festival will make its debut on August 31 in Skibbereen to celebrate local culinary artists and give the public a taste of a variety of different street food, cheeses, fermented kombucha and much more. This new event will take place right in the heart of Skibbereen in the Old Mart Yard Car Park transforming it into a hub of activity and a culinary celebration of the region's finest artisans, food innovators and producers who put Cork on the foodie map.
