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Food and Drink Calendar 2018
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Save The Dates – The Irish Food And Drink Festival Calendar For 2018

We’re into the second month of 2018 now and after the indulgence of Christmas and the good intentions of January, it’s time to get back on board with our one true love – food.

With so many great food and drink events taking place throughout the year, we’ve decided to make things easier for you by compiling a list of the most unmissable food events for the rest of the year.

Keeping you busy every month of the year, you won’t be resting on your laurels for very long. So get your calendar out and take note of all your favourite festivals because we’re sure you won’t want to miss these.

MARCH

Ireland's Largest Craft Beer Festival is Returning to Dublin's Convention Centre

Alltech Craft Brews & Food Fair

The Idea: Featuring a variety of local and international craft beverages, you can join fellow enthusiasts at this, which is now in its fifth year.

When: March 8th-10th

Where: The Convention Centre, Dublin

Website: alltechbrewsandfood.com

Festival Calendar

Dublin Bay Prawn Festival

The Idea: A whole host of seafood dishes await visitors to the annual Dublin Bay Prawn Festival, taking place in the beautiful seaside suburb of Howth.

When: March 17th – 19th

Where: Howth, Dublin

Website: dublinbayprawnfestival.ie

APRIL

Galway Food Festival Feature image

Galway Food Festival

The Idea: The annual food festival is now in its 7th year. Focusing on a specific theme every year, with this year focusing on ‘Planting Seeds’, this is the place to be to sample the very best food from Galway and the Wild Atlantic Way.

When: March 29th – April 2nd

Where: Galway

Website: galwayfoodfestival.com

West Waterford Festival of Food

The Idea: The West Waterford Festival of Food has been a popular event on the food calendar since 2008 and showcases fresh flavours and produce from the region.

When: April 20th-22nd

Where: Dungarvan and other locations across West Waterford

Website: westwaterfordfestivaloffood.com

MAY

Connemara Mussel Festival

The Idea: This festival celebrates the community, food and culture of the west of Ireland, with cooking demonstrations, activities and delicious Killary Mussels served throughout the weekend.

When: May 4th-6th

Where: Tullycross, Renvyle, Co. Galway

Website: connemaramusselfestival.com

Cork Vegfest

The Idea: Cork Vegfest is back by popular demand this year. The food showcase is a celebration of vegan food, vegan businesses and vegan culture. So pop to Cork and try some great food, you don’t need to be a vegan to enjoy.

When: May 12th

Where: Cork

Website: corkvegfest.com

Burren Slow Food Festival

The Idea: Offering food demonstrations, tastings and talks with top chefs, the Burren Slow Food Festival is a family friendly festival bursting with activities, workshops and sampling the produce at the artisan food stalls.

When: Date TBC

Where: Co. Clare

Website: burren.ie

 

 

Belfast Craft Beer Fesitval

The Idea: Taste the best Irish craft beers and ciders at Belfast’s massive 3-day festival. Meet cider makers and distillers and attend exciting talks about craft beer.

When: Date TBC

Where: Custom House Square, Belfast

Website: belfastcraftbeerfest.com

JUNE

Limerick International Food Truck Festival

The Idea: An explosion of international cuisine, 2018’s Limerick International Food Truck Festival will be bursting with over 60 food trucks from 14 countries. It’s a wonderful event to sample dishes from around the world.

When: May 31st – June 4th

Where: People’s Park, Limerick City

Website: limerick.ie

Bloom

The Idea: Launched in 2007 by Bord Bia, Bloom is an exciting weekend showcase for garden design, horticulture and quality food, with Ireland’s top chefs and cooks in attendance.

When: May 31st – June 4th

Where: Phoenix Park, Dublin

Website: bloominthepark.com

Taste of Dublin

The Idea: Experience four days of eating, drinking and entertainment at Taste of Dublin, with unmissable tastings and chef demos.

When: Date TBC

Where: The Iveagh Gardens

Website: dublin.tastefestivals.com

Tastings during the chef demonstations at Westport Food Festival

Westport Food Festival

The Idea: Now in its 8th year, the Westport Food Festival offers visitors a whole host of activities, from food tours, seaweed foraging, pizza-making classes for kids and much more.

When: Date TBC

Where: Westport, Mayo

Website: westportfoodfestival.ie

Body & Soul

The Idea: Body & Soul is a jam-packed weekend full of world-class music, immersive art, relaxing therapies and gastronomic indulgences – what more could you want from a weekend.

When: June 22nd – 24th

Where: Ballinlough Castle, Clonmellon, Co. Westmeath

Website: bodyandsoul.ie

The Irish Gin & Tonic Fest

The Idea: The Irish Gin & Tonic Festival celebrates the new and exciting drinks crafted by bars, restaurants and hotels, with a winner being selected by public vote.

When: June 25th – 30th

Where: Nationwide

Website: greatirishbeverages.com

JULY

Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival

The Idea: If you venture 20 minutes outside of Wexford Town, you’ll come to Kilmore. Home to the Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival, indulge in delicious seafood platters, a food court at the marina and loads of family friendly activities. Proceeds are used to fund developments in the community.

When: Date TBC

Where: Kilmore, Co. Wexford

Website: kilmorequayseafoodfestival.com

AUGUST

Beatyard

The Idea: As part of the Beatyard Festival, Eatyard offers over 50 food areas, demos, food competitions and workshops, as well as craft beers, a gin bar and more.

When: August 4th and 5th

Where: Dun Laoghaire, Dublin

Website: the-beatyard.com

Taste of Cavan Launch 6 LT

Taste of Cavan

The Idea: Entering into its 7th year, Taste of Cavan draws thousands of hungry revellers to its food stalls. Last year saw over 120 artisan food and craft producers in attendance and this year promises to be even bigger and better.

When: Date TBC

Where: Cavan Equestrian Centre, Cavan

Website: thisiscavan.ie

The Big Grill Festival

The Idea: Enjoy the best cooking with fire and smoke at the Big Grill Festival, where you can take part in demos and workshops from well-known chefs, as well as enjoying a craft beer or two.

When: August 16th – 19th

Where: Herbert Park, Ballsbridge

Website: biggrillfestival.com

Donegal Food Festival

A Taste of Donegal Food Festival

The Idea: Celebrating their 10th anniversary, visitors will be treated to exhibitors from all over Ireland and the UK, as well as wine and beer masterclasses and Celebrity Chef demonstrations, not to mention a fantastic fireworks display.

When: August 24th-26th

Where: Donegal Town

Website: atasteofdonegal.com

Dalkey Lobster Festival

The Dalkey Lobster Festival

The Idea: The Dalkey Lobster Festival is a wonderful fusion of local seafood and jazz and is the perfect place to spend some time with family and friends, as well as sampling some incredible dishes.

When: Date TBC

Where: Dalkey, Dublin

Website: dalkeylobsterfest

Theatre of Food at Electric Picnic

The Idea: Theatre of Food is where you’ll find all the food lovers at Electric Picnic, enjoying a variety of workshops, demos, debates, and food of course.

When: August 31st – September 2nd

Where: Stradbally Hall, Co. Laois

Website: electricpicnic.ie

SEPTEMBER

Irish Craft Beer Festival

The Idea: Join your fellow craft beer aficionados and over 40 brewers and cocktail makers (not to mention more than 200 beers) at Ireland’s largest craft beer festival.

When: Date TBC

Where: RDS, Dublin

Website: irishcraftbeerfestival.ie

A Taste of West Cork Food Festival

The Idea: This exciting festival brings together an unmissable mix of food markets, demonstrations, competitions, food-tastings and much more, all from one of Ireland’s best food locations.

When: September 7th – 16th

Where: West Cork

Website: atasteofwestcork.com

Waterford Harvest 5

Waterford Harvest Festival

The Idea: A fun family weekend in Ireland’s oldest city, the Waterford Harvest Festival is full of food markets, live music events, cookery demos, workshops and much more.

When: Date TBC

Where: The Mall, Waterford

Website: waterfordharvestfestival.ie

Oktoberfest Dublin: Germany and Ireland Sharing their Love of Good Beer

Oktoberfest Dublin

The Idea: Prost! Experience endless beer and entertainment at Oktoberfest Dublin – the perfect excuse for day drinking. Be sure to sample some German delicacies, including some barbecued sausages!

When: Date TBC

Where: George’s Dock, Dublin

Website: oktoberfest-dublin.de

Food, Retail & Hospitality Expo Ireland 2018

The Idea: A must-attend event for anyone working in the food and drinks industry, the expo brings all these delegates, speakers and exhibitors together for a day of knowledge and innovation.

When: September 26th

Where: Citywest, Dublin

Website: foodhospitality.ie

Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival

The Idea: Enterting its 64th year, the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival is one of the largest in the world. The 3-day event will see a host of activities for the whole family, tastings, entertainment and the World Oyster Opening Championships.

When: September 28th – 30th

Where: Galway City

Website: galwayoysterfestival.com

OCTOBER

Dingle Food Fest 4

Dingle Food Festival

The Idea: Enjoy cookery demos, workshops, whiskey tastings, food and drink trails and many more events at the Dingle Food Festival, a highlight for locals and tourists alike.

When: October 5th – 7th

Where: Dingle, Co. Kerry

Website: dinglefood.com

Kinsale Gourmet Festival

The Idea: Hosted by Kinsale’s ten Good Food Circle restaurants, the Kinsale Gourmet Festival features fine wine and dining experiences, including a foodie walking tour, black tie gala and a charity auction in aid of local organisations.

When: Date TBC

Where: Kinsale

Website: kinsalerestaurants.com

Grapefruit & Pomegranate Prosecco cocktail recipe

Irish Cocktail Festival

The Idea: Bars, restaurants and hotels will offer great tasting cocktails at enviable prices as the search for Ireland’s best cocktail continues.

When: October 15th – 20th

Where: Nationwide

Website: greatirishbeverages.com

Food on the Edge

The Idea: Food on the Edge is an exciting and informative 2-day symposium for chefs and food enthusiasts from around the world, who come together to discuss the future of food in the industry.

When: October 22nd – 23rd

Where: Galway, Ireland

Website: foodontheedge.ie

Savour Kilkenny

Savour Kilkenny

The Idea: Inescapable fun for the whole family, Savour Kilkenny is a wonderful celebration of food, packed full of great chefs, speakers, demos and delicious culinary dishes.

When: October 26th – 29th

Where: Kilkenny

Website: savourkilkenny.com

NOVEMBER

Listowel Food Fair

The Idea: Celebrating its 24th year, the Listowel Food Fair highlights Kerry’s finest food prodcuers. Festival attendees will be treated to a range of cooking demonstrations, tastings, food trails workshops and competitions.

When: Date TBC

Where: Listowel, Kerry

Website: listowelfoodfair.ie

BBC Good Food Show

BBC Good Food Show

The Idea: Taking over Belfast’s Waterfront for the past two years, the BBC Good Food Show brings the best chefs, food producers and brands together, with cooking demos, shopping, entertainment and tasting all on the table for visitors.

When: Date TBC

Where: Belfast Waterfront, Belfast

Website: bbcgoodfoodshow.com

DECEMBER

Gifted – The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair

The Idea: As part of this pre-Christmas gift fair, visitors can browse a wonderful selection of over 100 artisan food producers, tasting food from home and abroad.

When: Date TBC

Where: RDS, Dublin

Website: giftedfair.ie

If you have an Irish food festival or event you would like to be included in our Food Festival Calendar, please send the details to sarah@thetaste.ie.

FEATURE BY SARAH GLASCOTT

Sarah has always had a great love of travel, food and photography. Following her journalism degree at DCU, she developed a passion for travel writing while living in Spain.

Sarah loves exploring new places and sampling the local cuisine. Working with TheTaste.ie combines her love of food and travel.

A big people person, especially when it comes to hearing other people’s stories, Sarah loves interviewing chefs, food producers and more.

Sarah Glascott Sarah Glascott
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