Latest news with #TasteofSligoFoodFestival
Irish Independent
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
After hugely successful first year, Taste of Sligo Food Festival is back with stellar line-up
Running from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st September, the annual celebration of food, which is the brainchild of local food hero Anthony Gray, brings top chefs and food producers to Queen Maeve Square in the heart of Sligo town. It's all about the atmosphere and a winning combination of cookery demonstrations, al fresco dining, live music and kids' entertainment as well as dozens of artisan food stalls and food trucks it adds up to a superb experience for foodies of all ages. It's an additional draw, bringing tourists to Sligo for a foodie weekend. 'The Taste of Sligo Food Festival highlights the rich food culture and incredible food tourism experience in Sligo', explains Anthony Gray of Eala Bhán and Hooked restaurants, Taste of Sligo Food Trails and a founding member of Sligo Food Trail, 'It showcases everything that's good about food in this county and brings in top chefs from around the country. Last year was amazing and it's going to be even better in 2025'. Professional cookery demonstrations include celebrity chefs Kevin Dundon, Shane Smith and Sham Hanifa with well-known MC Tracie Daly of Ballymaloe fame. Also starring on the demo stage are award winning local Sligo Food Trail members Alan Fitzmaurice (The Glasshouse Hotel), Becca Sweeney (Hooked), Rafal Chimiak (Eala Bhán), Anthony Gray (Wild Atlantic Way), Aisling Kelly (Sligo Oyster Experience), Afro Caribbean cooking sensation Funké Egberongbe (Funké Restaurant) and Dr Prannie Rhatigan as part of the Spanish Armada Ireland weekend. Sarah Browne (Oysome) is a new local face on the demonstration stage. Stands include a fabulous cross-section of producers with lots of artisan produce to bring home and enjoy on the day. Mammy Johnson's have all the home made ice-cream flavours you can imagine. Drinks are well represented too with Lough Gill Craft Beer catering for craft beer lovers and the Drumshanbo Gin Bar offering delicious options. New this year is the Cool Food School with cookery workshops for 5th and 6th class students. Presented by BTEC-qualified Health Coach Deirdre, the mission is to teach children of all ages about the joys of healthy eating. Workshops will be held before the festival opens on Friday in Eala Bhán. For 2025 a third day has been added due to popular demand and the festival begins this year on Friday 19th September with a tapas-style event running from 4.30 to 9pm. Festival hours on Saturday 20th September are 12-8pm and on Sunday 21st September 12-9pm. Large crowds are expected and advance booking is advised. The Taste of Sligo Food Festival is supported by Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Rural Innovation and Development Fund (RIDF), Sligo BID, Sligo Food Trail, Visit Sligo, Sligo County Council, Fáilte Ireland, Wild Atlantic Way and Sligo Chamber of Commerce, Whitesides SuperValu, Expert Electrical and Hawks Rock Distillery. The easiest way to get festival tickets is to book in advance through Eventbrite. The cost is €10 per day or €15 for an early bird three day-ticket (before 31st July). The standard three-day ticket price is €20. Under-12s get free admission with an adult.
Agriland
28-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
DAFM: €300,000 awarded to 22 agri-food tourism projects
A farm to fork experience, food festival and a farmers market are among 22 local agri-food tourism projects that have received around €300,000 in funding, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) announced today (Wednesday, May 28). The funding is being made available under the 2025 Rural Innovation and Development Fund operated by DAFM. The fully funded projects include: Cromane Seafest, Co. Kerry which received €25,000; Wildacres Honey Tour, Co. Wicklow which received €14,630; Inishturk Community Club – Taste of Inishturk, Co. Mayo which received €16,800; Hannah Quinn Mulligan, Tory Hill House Farm Shop, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick which received €6,458; Boyne Valley Food Heroes, Co. Meath which received €13,317; Taste of Sligo Food Festival, Sligo Town which received €10,500; Oakfield Park, Raphoe, Co. Donegal – Donegal Festival of Food which received €23,689; Kildare Co. Council Naas Farmers Market which which received €17,650; Hinterland West CLF, Clonbur, Co. Galway – Farm to Food Experience which received €9,884; Lough Gur Visitor Centre Food and Craft Experience, Bruff, Co. Limerick which received €24,000; Stephen Pratt Maize Maze, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois which received €23,800; Mount Briscoe Organic Farm, Daingean, Co. Offaly – A taste of the land which received €15,400. According to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, (DAFM) Martin Heydon, these initiatives 'build on progress already made' to promote agri-food tourism in different counties. Minister Heydon said: 'The great geographical spread of the projects this year illustrates the interest in the sector, the development of agri-food tourism and its importance to communities throughout the country. 'Our 10-year roadmap for the agriculture sector, Food Vision 2030, highlights the natural synergy between agri-food and local tourism.' DAFM The projects partly funded by DAFM include: Cavan County Council (Cavan Food Network) which received €10,000; Destination Lough Derg (Tipperary County Council) which received €10,000; Kilkenny County Council (Taste Kilkenny) which received €10,000; Monaghan County Council (Food Destination Promotion) which received €10,000; Taste Experiences Waterford which received €10,000; Elmgrove Flower Farm, Gormanstown, Co. Meath – Daffodil Festival 2026 which received €10,000; Boyne Valley School of Food Culture, Co. Meath – Samhain Festival which received €10,000; Ailbhe Gerard, Field Exchange, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary – Food and Craft Festival which received €10,000; Tipperary Food Producers Network – Food Tourism which received €10,000; Common Knowledge Centre, Kilfenora, Co. Clare – Land and Lore events which received €10,000. According to MInister Heydon, agri-food tourism in rural areas allows 'great food companies of all sizes to showcase their people, landscape, history, and culture through agricultural produce, food and drink and local cuisine'. 'In addition, it provides opportunities for rural businesses, including farmers, producers and artisans to develop their products and services, diversify their businesses, connect with the local community, welcome visitors and improve skills and best practice,' he added. Separately the Minister of State with responsibility for food promotion, Noel Grealish, said that the large volume of applications submitted for funding 'shows the appetite that this sector has for innovative and collaborative ventures in this sphere'. 'The competition for funding under this programme is intense and those who were successful should be congratulated for their proposals and their upcoming projects,' the minister added.
