Entertaining Sligo
AIRPORT FOOD FESTIVAL
“Attention all passengers, a food demo is now taking off at Departure Gate 2 while a cheese tasting is checking in at the Arrivals Hall....” Welcome to Ireland’s first food festival in an actual airport.
Over 30 food stalls featuring award-winning producers Pudding Row, Shells and Sweet Beat.
It’s the current home of the Air Corps Rescue 118 service and a string of takeoffs and landings by private pilots and air schools. Now Sligo Airport is to host Ireland’s first food festival in an airport.
The airport, situated in the coastal surfing village of Strandhill, is to stage the inaugural Strandhill Food Festival, turning its facilities including baggage reclaim, departure gates and airport bar into unusual venues for cookery demos, food and drink tastings and live music acts.
The idea for the Strandhill Food Festival in the Airport is the brainchild of local man Allan Mullrooney, who for three years has hosted a Sunday Strandhill Peoples Market in the airport’s Hangar 1.
Commercial flights once operated between Sligo and Dublin, Manchester and Luton. Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Aer Arran all operated different routes before Government subsidies were withdrawn. The last passenger flight departed in July 2011.
But aviation activity has continued and with planes and helicopters taking off and landing just metres away, the Sunday market has become a must-visit for tourists and locals alike. Now the organisers are hoping the Strandhill Food Festival will become a hot new annual destination.
Strandhill Food Festival organiser Allan says: “We’ve invited the best foodies, chefs and producers to Sligo for one day to educate your palates, share delicious recipes and discuss the latest trends, challenges and opportunities in food. There will be live music and family fun events throughout the day.
“Just over three and a half years ago, we were searching for a more permanent home for the weekly market. The beachfront area which they had operated at for 4 months had proven to be the best place in the world on a sunny day, and the worst place on the windy stormy days that we’re used to along the west coast!
“Once we set their eyes on Hangar 1 at Sligo Airport, we knew this new base would offer an opportunity to grow and progress. Over three years later and the weekly event contributes over €30,000 to the local economy every week and has seen several cafe’s open as a result and countless new business startups.”
“The Strandhill Food Festival is the next chapter in this project and one the team have been working on for some time. This one day event will see the bar re-open for the first time at Sligo Airport since that last commercial flight in July in 201.”
On October 7, award-winning Sligo brewery The White Hag alongside The Draft House Gastropub will bring some of Ireland’s finest craft beers and gin’s back into the airport bar – the perfect room with a brew.
The arrivals hall where customers once waited for their flight to be called and said farewell to loved ones will now be used to house a full day of food demo’s, interactive talks and discussions on food.
The departures lounge where anxious passengers waited to board their flight will now house a children’s entertainment area with puppet shows, clowns, and storytelling though illustration and other workshops.
Hangar 1 which is usually the home to Strandhill People’s Market, will host the music stage, another craft bar and over 20 food stalls from the across the country.
The event runs from 12-8pm with live music all day, kid’s entertainment, food demo’s and more. Kids go free and adults cost €5.
Tickets can be purchased at www. strandhillfoodfestival.com or on the door on the day.
SEAN KEANE FOR GURTEEN
Seán Keane and his band will perform his unique blend of traditional Irish and contemporary folk music and song in the intimate setting of Coleman Music Centre, Gurteen on Saturday, October 7 th at 8.30pm. Growing up in a family of singers Seán learned the sean-nós style of singing from his mother and his aunts. Singing was his life, even in early childhood. By the time Seán reached his teens, he had collected thirteen All-Ireland medals in Fleadh Ceoil competitions. He was by then an accomplished whistle and flute player as well and had taken up the uilleann pipes and bodhrán. Seán Keane continues to delight audiences all over the world with his live performances and recorded work. He has worked with Johnny `Ringo` McDonagh, Sharon Shannon and Frances Black. All of his solo albums are platinum sellers and remain in constant demand. Booking 071 9182599 or www. colemanirishmusic.com