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Irish Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Post
Irish spirits brands head for US on mass trade mission despite looming tariffs
TWENTY Irish drinks companies have made their way to the US on a mass trade mission. The firms left Dublin this month to be in the States for this week's Tales of the Cocktail event. Based in New Orleans, the event is billed as the world's leading cocktail conference, which runs until July 25. Among the delegation are firms representing Irish beer, cream liqueur, gin, poitín, and vermouth producers. Bord Bia is hosting the companies at the event as part of a programme of supports for the sector as it deals with difficult trading conditions. It forms one piece of a global plan that also includes new routes to market as a diversification strategy for Irish drinks companies. The firms are in the US at a time where uncertainty continues over the future of trade between Ireland and the US, with President Donaly Trump threatening to impose 30 per cent tariffs on European spirits imports. 'The US is an incredibly important market for Irish spirits, worth €860 million to the economy last year,' Bord Bia CEO Jim O'Toole said. 'We hope that this event will drive commercial opportunities for Irish companies and an opportunity to showcase Irish spirits and their potential use in cocktails, a vastly underdeveloped space for Irish companies in the US.' He added: 'The Irish drinks industry is no stranger to global headwinds with inevitable upturns and downturns, so supporting companies to explore new avenues in the US and abroad at this challenging time is a priority. "The resilience and ambition of these 20 companies participating in the conference in Louisiana next week is a testament to that spirit.' The Irish Spirits Showcase at the New Orleans event will feature Dave Mulligan, owner of Bar 1661 in Dublin, Irish whiskey consultant; Jack McGarry, who is co-founder of The Dead Rabbit bar in New York; and Christy Caldwell, owner of The Ordinarie bar in California. Valentia Island Vermouth from Co. Kerry will use its time at the conference to officially launch its brand into the US market. 'Global reach is essential for attracting the future customers of Ireland and for the long-term development of our drinks industry," Mr O'Toole said. "While the US remains a vital market, diversification is key to building resilience and sustaining growth," he added. "We are continuing to work closely with industry partners to ensure that Irish spirits remain front-of-mind for international buyers, regardless of geopolitical uncertainty.' See More: Ireland, Irish Spirits, New Orleans, US
Agriland
02-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Bord Bia's Bloom attracts 100,000 visitors over five day festival
Bord Bia's annual Bloom festival, held annually over the June Bank Holiday weekend, attracted 100,000 visitors this year according to figures released on its concluding day (Monday, June 2). The gardening and food festival which takes place each year in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, was originally launched to promote plants, garden design, horticulture and gardening. However over nearly two decades Bord Bia has developed the festival to also create a food and drink experience and promote learning experiences in gardening, growing fruit and vegetables, cooking and culture. Jim O'Toole, Bord Bia's chief executive, believes the festival now has an 'enduring popularity'. He added: 'Bloom 2025 has been a fantastic success — we welcomed wonderful crowds over the five days, enjoyed mostly favourable weather, and the atmosphere throughout the show has been incredibly positive. 'As we wrap up this year's event, excitement is already building for a very special milestone: Bord Bia Bloom's 20th anniversary in 2026.' Bloom Two of the key themes of each Bord Bia Bloom festival are sustainability and waste reduction and many elements of the 2025 show and feature gardens will be relocated follwing the event. The Grass Advantage garden – designed by Robert Moore and sponsored by the National Dairy Council Source Bord Bia Every element of the Grass Advantage garden, designed by Robert Moore and sponsored by the National Dairy Council 'will be reused, replanted, or repurposed' after the festival. According to Bord Bia the alder, hazel and field maple trees will be rehomed in a woodland setting in Wicklow while the weathered corrugated steel will return to dairy shed in Stamullen, County Meath. The milk churn structure will be reused as a focal point in a community garden, and the stone walls and stone-pave paving will be reused in a community allotment. Meanwhile the Estate's Essence garden, designed by Patrik Weisser and sponsored by Abbeyleix House and Farm, will be brought back to Abbeyleix House and Farm in County Laois where they will be used to build on the gardens at the estate. Awards As part of the celebrations to mark the final day of the festival two awards were also unveiled today including the People's Choice Award, voted for by visitors who chose their favourite show garden. This year it was awarded to Tulsa's 'Fostering is for You' garden designed by Pip Probert. Meanwhile Bloom garden designers also get a chance to vote on their favourite garden and this year the Designer's Choice Award was presented to Louise Checa who designed the gold medal winning Citroen Downsizers' Garden. Bord Bia has also confirmed today that Bloom 2026 will take place from Thursday, May 28 to Monday, June 1.
