Food Festivals on the Wild Atlantic Way

ON THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY

Local ingredients, a new wave of inspired chefs, cosy pubs and homegrown goodness… shake the hand that feeds you at one of the many incredible food festivals along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Seafood straight from the boat reels in diners on the Wild Atlantic Way from County Donegal to County Cork, but gourmet delights don’t begin and end with the sea. Artisan producers all along the coast are making some of Europe’s best cheeses, craft brews and chocolates, with primary ingredients sourced from farmers and foragers who are rooted in traditions of the west.

Foodies can celebrate the spoils of the western seaboard at some of the best food festivals in Ireland, many of which take place around September and October. With local foods freshly harvested, it’s the perfect time to sample this exquisite food culture. Enjoy expertly prepared dishes, served simply and with a relaxed style. Check out the below list for starters.

A TASTE OF DONEGAL

Each August, food lovers from all around the country – and beyond – head north for the annual culinary celebration, A Taste of Donegal. This year, an impressive 120 food exhibitors will showcase their delicious wares in marquees on the town’s Pier area. All tastes are catered for at this buzzing event; visitors sample local seafood, gourmet meats, Aran Islands cheese, fresh bread courtesy of Donegal craft bakery, and of course, a local tipple from the likes of Donegal Brewing Company! The event also features chef competitions, comedy cookery theatre and cookery demonstrations, and even a fireworks display over the pretty bay. Of course, the setting is just as inviting; Donegal town is a great base from which to explore this wild and expansive county. Be sure to visit Sliabh Liag (Slieve League), home to some of Europe’s highest sea-cliffs, and charming St. John’s Point Lighthouse, a great spot for divers.

SWEET TREATS AT DINGLE FOOD FESTIVAL

You’ll be as charmed by the quaint fishing town of Dingle as the food festival that takes place there each year. Sitting on the headland of jutting Dingle Peninsula, it’s home to both sandy white beaches and the soaring mountains typical of rugged County Kerry. For one weekend each October, farmers’ markets line the streets of this picturesque getaway, while shops, pubs and restaurants all take part in festivities, too. Chat to friendly locals and sample their delicious organic produce, join food trails, sample wine tastings and go on foraging walks in the stunning Kerry countryside. In the evenings, take a stroll through the town and visit some of Dingle’s many award-winning restaurants.

GALWAY INTERNATIONAL OYSTER AND SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

Onto Galway next, a bustling and vibrant city that has retained its unique, intimate charm. Just minutes from its cobbled streets – home to an array of craft shops, boutiques and pubs - you’ll find Salthill, an iconic seaside strand that looks out to the wild Atlantic. It’s no surprise then that the city plays host each year to a festival dedicated to seafood. Every September, Galway welcomes worshippers of the ostrea edulis (a type of oyster) for gourmet food, fine wines and plenty of celebration.

The local molluscs grow undisturbed for three years in Galway Bay in order to become perfectly juicy for connoisseurs and novices alike at the three-day event. Kicking things off, a colourful parade weaves its way through the city, heralding the start of the festival’s famous World

Oyster Opening Championship. Celebrations continue well into the wee hours each night, with plenty of fun, quirky events like the Masquerade Mardi Gras and a Silent Disco having delighted festival-goers in previous years.

KINSALE GOURMET FESTIVAL

The historic port and fishing town of Kinsale in County Cork provides the gorgeous setting for the next stop on our trail of world-class Irish food festivals. Located at the mouth of the River Bandon, this town is a veritable foodie’s paradise. An array of respected culinary establishments and artisan food producers has earned Kinsale its well-deserved title of gourmet capital of Ireland. Kicking off with a champagne reception each October, you can sample a delicious five-course menu offering the best of West Cork’s fare, learn a few tricks at the celebrity chef cookoff, or head along on the Mad Hatter’s walking tour, where you’ll dine on the delights of Kinsale’s Good Food Circle of 10 restaurants. On the Sunday, there’s a Fruits de Mer Luncheon where you can taste locally caught lobster, crab, prawn and much more.

A TASTE OF WEST CORK

The entire region of West Cork is renowned for its wild beauty, and long-famed for its artisanal produce. At A Taste of West Cork in the town of Skibbereen (from An Sciobairín, meaning ‘little harbour town’), you’ll meet the producers of some of Europe’s best cheeses, and taste some delicious locallygrown produce. Indeed, if cheese is your thing, welcome to the home of Gubbeen, Durrus, Milleens and Carrigaline. Running over 10 days during September, the festival includes a street market showcasing tasty local wares, daily workshops, banquets and home visits to producers. There’s plenty of non foodrelated activities around this idyllic town too – why not head out onto nearby Lough Hyne for a spot of romantic moonlit kayaking, browse through its art and craft centres, or simply take a scenic walk and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of this area.

BURREN WINTERAGE WEEKEND

Heritage and farming take centre stage at the Burren Winterage Weekend, which celebrates the living landscape and farming families that work the land of The Burren. Understanding The Burren means encountering it firsthand; this unique, craggy 250sq km stretch of land in County Clare translates from the Irish Boireann, meaning ‘rocky place’. Farming this land has traditionally been tough, given the lack of soil cover, yet this sparse area retains a haunting beauty. At the festival, which takes place each October, you’ll dig in at the community feast, hear about sustainable farming at insightful talks and visit the farms that feed you.

Since it’s near Samhain (Halloween) time, you might even hear a banshee story or two. The figure of the banshee, or bean sí (female fairy) is rooted in Irish mythology; her unique cry is said to be the omen of death – if you hear her, you’re not long for this world!

MORE FESTIVALS

We’ve profiled some here, but there are lots more edible festival finds along the Wild Atlantic Way. Off the coast of Galway, you’ll find the island of Inishbofin with its fabulous Bia Bó Finne, which celebrates local food and traditional skills each October.

Elsewhere, fish fans won’t want to miss Connemara Mussel Festival in County Galway in May or Valentia Island King Scallop Festival in July. Also in County Kerry is Flavour of Killorglin, held in September for food lovers, the local community and visitors alike. Don’t miss the guided fishing and walking tours.

For adults, the coastal town of Doolin – famed for its traditional Irish music – hosts the Doolin Craft Beer and Food Festival. Each August, over 20 local craft brews are available to sample, with plenty of live music over the weekend, too. Further north in beautiful and remote Donegal, the Wild Atlantic Craft Beer Festival, held in the first weekend of August, lets you meet the brewer while you sample small batch brews and decide which is best.

Courtesy of Failte Ireland