July 09, 2013

Irish Food Festivals & Events: 8 - 30 July 2013


This annual family-friendly festival in Ardmore, Co Waterford has at its heart the age-old tradition of honoring the local Patron Saint, St Declan, but its revival in recent years has seen it become a week-long celebration. There will be music, fun and food in Ardmore, Co Waterford from the 21 - 28 July.

This festival will take place in Co. Mayo from the 7 – 14 July and also incorporates Ballina Street and Arts Festival. There will be a whole host of events taking place including treasure hunts, arts and crafts and Prátaí Picking! There will also be a fireworks display on the 13th at 11pm. 

Bray Summerfest  
This year's SummerFest will take place over 5 weekends from 5th July to the 4th August. There will be over 60 free events covering music, kids workshops, sport, the airshow and of course food. For the foodies among us there will be a continental craft market and a Food & Garden Festival on the weekend of the 25th July.
 
Pierre Lawton is an eight generation Bordeaux-based wine merchant specializing in top chateaux wines. He is the owner of Alias and his family has been selling wine in Bordeaux since 1739. This evening with Pierre Lawton, Bordeaux and Ted Murphy, Irish Wine Geese, and author ‘A Kingdon of Wine – The Story of Ireland’s Wine Geese’, will take place in the Sculpture Gallery, The Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, Thursday 11th July, 6pm. The cost is €12.

This festival reflects the great local fishing tradition and the emphasis on seafood in the local restaurants in the Doonbeg area. It takes place from the 26 - 28 July and it will have something for everyone. Events include Curragh racing, Duck Race, Farmers Market and a Vintage Rally and for the first time a Queen of the Sea competition. Chef Michel Nichan will feature as this years Celebrity Chef, visiting from The East Coast of America.
  
Féile na Mara – Achill Island Festival of the Sea
This festival takes place on the beautiful Achill Island in Co. Mayo from the 19 - 21 July.  Events include cookery demonstrations, seaweed safaris, fish markets, seafood BBQs and a family sandcastle competition. Local (and guest) talent includes Cailín agus Buachaill Óg contests.

International Craft Brewing and Distilling Convention
This event is an opportunity for people in the craft beer industry and those that are interested in it to gather together to share ideas. There conference itself costs €65 to attend but it is possible to get an expo only pass for €10. For more information and to see what other activities are on offer visit their website at www.alltechgathering.com.

Taking place in Kinsale, Co. Cork from 6 - 14 July, this festival has a huge range of events on offer. Visual Art, Theatre, Music, Literature, Film, Dance, Architecture, Family Entertainment and Food are all covered. Two events that I particularly like the sound of are the 'Come Home for Your Tea Social' and the performances of a 'Wine Goose Chase'.

Kenmare Food Carnival in Co. Kerry aims to showcase all of it's wonderful food from award winning restaurants, to local producers, 5 star dining, charming cafes, bustling bakeries and delicious delis all done in a 'Carnival' style atmosphere. The festival takes place from 12 - 14 July.  

Meath Food Series   
Throughout Meath with events running until September. Please see separate post here for more information.

The 10th annual Sneem Family Festival takes place from the 17 - 21 July. Activities include wife carrying, crab fishing & lake fishing, sheep shearing, traditional music and set dancing, a craft and country market and street entertainment.

The Strawberry Fair is a family event taking place from 2pm to 6pm on Sunday 21st July 2013 on the Lower Road, Strawberry Beds, Chapelizod. There will be a Family Fun Picnic on the community field at the bottom of Rugged Lane, near the Wren’s Nest, with face painting and balloons, family dog competition and performances from Blanchardstown Brass Band and magician. There will be copious amounts of strawberries and lashings of cream as well!

Valentia Island King Scallop Festival 2013 is a family fun weekend on Valentia Island on the 13-14 July. Festival activities this year include a junior triathlon, craft fair & country market, cooking demonstrations, an angling competition, a display by the Coastguard helicopter & the Valentia Island RNLI Lifeboat, live street music and the crowning of this year's Mr. King Scallop and for the first time the crowning of Ms Queen Scallop.

This festival takes place in Kanturk, Co. Cork, from the 25 - 28 July. There is a huge line up of events including music, a food and craft fair, a medieval event in Kanturk Castle, and a big fireworks display. 

N.B Even though the events section is updated frequently, dates and times are liable to change so please do check the websites yourself as well. If you would like to have your event added please contact Kat at thepurplepageireland (at) gmail.com

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