NEW ‘ FOODIE’ BROCHURE LAUNCHES FOR SUMMER
SLIGO FOOD TRAIL SPRINGS INTO SUMMER WITH NEW BROCHURE
SLIGO Food Trail has just launched an informative spring brochure in anticipation of the tourist season which traditionally kicks off on St. Patrick’s Day.
The A5 glossy production is a catchy combination of useful information, gorgeous photos and a helpful map.
It will be available from all 70 plus members, from Fáilte Ireland Tourist Information Offices and Sligo Tourism.
Chairman Anthony Gray said, “This brochure is the first of two seasonal brochures which Sligo Food Trail will produce this year.
“It focuses on the spring and early summer season. The second brochure which we will launch in May, will focus on summer and early autumn”.
The Sligo Food Trail spring brochure is aimed at all visitors to the county with any interest in good food.
Apart from a quirky but very usable map, it also highlights some of the more than 30 interactive Food Experiences, combining activities and food on Sligo Food Trail. These encourage people to truly engage with the wonderful landscape and local food making the Trail a really memorable part of their holiday.
Food Experiences are available for adults and families, and sometimes just for the younger foodies like the pizza making workshop for kids.
There really is something for everyone from dining in the dark to whiskey, wine or craft beer tastings and from surfing and SUPping to foraging on the seashore or inland.
Discover the superfood that is seaweed with an expert guide – and learn how to harvest and cook with it too. Some Experiences are just an hour long, others a full day and several involve overnight accommodation – along with a tour of a deer farm or a chance to find your inner shepherd.
Go into the wild outdoors in the caves or megalithic tombs of the Ox Mountains or whet your appetite for adventure, paddling on Lough Talt.
Stay indoors and try wood turning, fermenting or jam making. Or sit back, relax and enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in style. They’re really worth checking out.
Sligo Food Trail members are an exciting mix of producers, markets, cafes, restaurants, craft beer, gastro pubs and accommodation scattered all around the county.
Many are on the Wild Atlantic Way and others draw visitors inland to discover less known areas of this lovely and fascinating county.
Since the Trail was launched just over a year ago, a steady stream of awards has been won by different members. A small sample of the awards:
• Ethna Reynolds at Nook Cafe in Collooney was chosen as Best Newcomer 2016 by Georgina Campbell.
• Raw food and vegan eatery Sweet Beat was judged Best Vegetarian Restaurant by the Irish Times in December 2016 and owner Carolanne Rush was a finalist in the Best Young Entrepreneur competition.
• Eala Bhán starred in the Yes Chef Awards 2017 winning the Rising Star award, Best Chef ( Regional), Best Newcomers ( Regional & Overall).
• Hargadon Brothers pub is included in the prestigious Michelin Eating Out in Pubs Guide 2017. Only 32 pubs in the whole country are listed.
• The Draft House gastro pub in Strandhill are the Bord Bia Just Ask Restaurant of the month for February 2017.
• The White Hag Brewery was announced as Best Overall Brewery by Beoir
• Knox & Pudding featured in Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants
• Tra Bán won best Golfers Restaurant Connaught region at the Golfers Guide Annual Awards 2017
Anthony says: “Good food is nothing new in Sligo; in fact the name is derived from ‘ Sligeach’ ( meaning ‘ a shelly place’) from the abundance of fresh shellfish along the coast, rivers and estuaries.”
In Culleenamore, there is evidence of shellfish being consumed by humans 5,000 years ago.
Sligo Food Trail is the best introduction to this food lovers’ paradise, abundant in the fruits of this magnificent landscape and the wild Atlantic, served to you with pride.
Information on Sligo Food Trail is readily available through the website ( www. sligofoodtrail. ie) and on social media. # SligoFoodTrail