Most ambitious and expansive programme yet

THE programme for the 2018 Listowel Food Fair is the most ambitious and expansive since it was established in 1995. The committee is delighted that one of the most successful entrepreneurs in this country, Colette Twomey, will open the Food Fair and be one of our keynote speakers at the seminar on Friday. Collette has developed one of best known brands in food in Ireland, Clonakilty Black Pudding, and now employs over 50 people.

Two of our most popular TV presenters of cookery shows , Simon Delaney and Lizzy Lyons, will perform the cooking demonstration on the opening night. They will be joined by Billy Keane at the celebrity chefs table. The business seminar on Friday will examine the role of technology in food production and innovation. The speakers will include Collette Twomey, Noelle Watts and Noel Carr all acknowledged experts in this area. They will be joined by panellists John O Connor, Prestigue Foods and Cal Flynn, Kerry Group. The seminar is one of the highlights of the programme.

On Friday evening one of Irelands greatest athletes, Catherina McKiernan, will give a practical seminar on correct running technique in the Community Centre. She will be joined by Aoife Hannon who will give a practical class on Pilates for runners. As running has become very popular in Listowel and the surrounding area this event is attracting huge interest. Catherina is also going to try to do a personal best in the Parkrun in the Town Park Saturday morning. Over the years some of the leading Medical experts in Ireland have spoken at our Health Seminar.

This year the committee decided to focus on Breast Cancer. One in nine women will develop breast cancer in the course of their lifetime and 680 women die annually from the disease. The speakers will discuss the importance of early screening, prevention and awareness. Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine will open the Agricultural Seminar on Monday evening. He will outline the shape of the next CAP agreement and the challenge for Irish Agriculture after Brexit.

Kieran Furlong of Finistere Ireland will give a very important presentation on AgTech. AgTech is going to play a sig- nificant role in ensuring the sustainability of our food supply and environment in the future.

Our ability to understand what is going on in an animal, a plant or the soil is far more advanced today than it was 20 years ago and this is leading to a wealth of innovation in crop protection, soil fertility and animal health. Dairymaster is now recognised as one of the leaders in the AgTech revolution in Ireland. Other speakers will include Dr. Robert Prendeville, Dr. Morgan Sheehy, Eoin McCarthy, Maurice Costello, David Trant and President of the Irish Beekeepers Association, Paul OBrien. Paul will deal with the vital role that bees play in food production. Overall there is something in this years programme for all age and interest groups.