Irish Food Festivals and Events: 2 - 11 August 2013

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. 

A Taste of Cavan

A two-day festival in Cavan Town on the 10 & 11 August which celebrates locally produced food. Discover artisan cheese, chocolate, ice-cream, bread and much much more with over 75 stands taking part. There will be lots of cookery demos, events for the kids and a jazz band to keep everyone entertained. Admission is €2 and under 16s get in free. 

Annascaul Beerfest

The Annascaul Beerfest is a charity event run by the people and publicans of Annascaul in West Kerry from the 2 – 5 August. It’s all about good beers, good music and good company — and all in aid of a good cause! There will be an Irish Craft Beer and Food Tasting, a bbq, music and lots of other events taking place.

Carlingford Oyster Festival

Taking place from the 8 – 11 August this festival has a lot to offer with a colourful Festival Street Market, lively street entertainment, Artisan Craft & Food Stalls & local restaurants offering delicious fishy dishes, chowders and local cuisine. There will also be a sailing regatta on Carlingford Lough, guided medieval tours and the opportunity to try your hand at kayaking. There will, of course, be plenty of opportunities to try out the wonderful Carlingford Oyster. The Festival also features Morgan's Ocean Fresh Carlingford Oyster Pearl Competition.

Dublin Horse Show

The Horse Show is a Dublin institution and takes place in the RDS from the 7 - 11 August. It is one of Ireland's largest events in which the best show horses and the best international show jumpers compete for honours. If you aren’t into racing though there will be plenty of food, entertainment and shopping to keep you occupied. Or get your glad rags on and enter ladies day on the Thursday.

Enniscrone Black Pig Festival

This festival takes place in Enniscrone, Co. Sligo from the 8 - 12 August. There will be a parade, live music, fireworks and a market day on the Sunday.

Meath Food Series

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

 

Moynalty Steam Treshing Festival

This is one event we go as a family without fail every year. Farming traditions from the late 19th century are celebrated with displays of steam and horse threshing. There is also lots to discover with old traditions such as butter churning and metalwork being demonstrated. There is also lots for the kids to do with a funfair, a dog show and lots of animals on display. Indeed every year I have to be persuaded not to come home with a puppy! Takes place on Sunday 11th August in Co. Meath.

National Country Fair

The National Country Fair is Ireland's national countryside event. This two-day family fair is a mix of fishing, shooting, and equestrian events and competitions. Visitors can enjoy one of the country's largest food festivals with dozens of artisan producers, a crafts fair and an antiques fair on offer. The Fair takes place at Borris House in Co. Carlow over the 3rd & 4th August. 

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

Irish Food Festivals & Events: 8 - 30 July 2013

Ardmore Pattern Festival Food & Craft Fair

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.

Ballina Salmon Festival

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 13^th 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 25^th July.
 

Bringing the Wine Geese Home with Pierre Lawton

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.

Doonbeg SeaFood Festival

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.

Kinsale Arts Festival

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  

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.

Sneem Family Festival

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.

Strawberry Fair

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

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.

Wild Boar Festival

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

July Foodie Festivals & Events: 16th - 31st

Achill Seafood Festival / Feile Bia Na Mara

This festival takes place on the beautiful Achill Island in Co. Mayo from the 19th - 22nd July.  Highlights of the event will include a Gala Seafood Buffet, an 'Achill's Got Talent' contest, Cailín óg & Buachaill óg Competition, seaweed safaris, lots of cookery demonstrations, a  fresh fish markets and much, much more.

Ardmore Pattern Festival Food & Craft Fair

The Ardmore Pattern Festival Food and Craft Fair aims to bring alive the old traditions alongside a fun-filled festival. There will be music, fun and food in Ardmore, Co Waterford from the 27th - 29th July.  Kevin Dundon will be cooking 'Supper by the Sea' in St Declan's Hall on the Thursday evening.

Bray SummerFest

This year's SummerFest will take place over 5 weekends from 6th July to the 6th August. There will be over 60 free events covering music, kids workshops, sport, the airshow and of course food. For the foodies the Bia Galore section of the festival will give visitors the opportunity to take part in workshops, attend demonstrations, visit the continental market and perhaps get a free ticket to the Bia Galore Chef's Theatre.

Cork Food Week

The very first Cork Food Week will take place from 28th July to the 4th August. It is a celebration of Cork food and the great Cork Culture. Each day has a theme such as Food and Kids or Food and the Arts with different events happening on each day. The week is being kicked off in Cobh as part of the Titanic Ball.

dlr Fusion 2012

dlr Fusion takes place on Saturday July 28th and Sunday July 29th 2012 from 11am to 6pm in the People’s Park, Dún Laoghaire. The weekend aims to promote diversity and be a vibrant, fun-filled weekend for all the family. Events such as ultimate frisbee, circus workshops and street theatre are all part of the line up.

Doonbeg SeaFood Festival

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 20th to the 22nd July and it will have something for everyone. Events include Curragh racing, Duck Race, Farmers Market and a Vintage Rally and will feature cooking demonstrations from both local and national chefs such as Wade Murphy, Adrian Medvec and Odran Lucey.

Flavours of Fingal Show 

This two day event will take place in the beautiful surroundings of Newbridge House, Donabate, Co. Dublin on the 21st and 22nd July. The Flavours of Fingal Show will combine the sights and sounds of an agricultural show with an unforgettable farm, food and family fun experience. The programme is packed full of fun events such as cooking demos, workshops, dog competitions and of course a food fayre. Tickets are 12e and each ticket allows two children under 16 in free.

Irish Examiner Food Festival

The Irish Examiner Food Festival will be held in Fitzgerald’s Park from July 19th until July 22nd. There are over 15 restaurants taking part where visitors can sample a range of delicious food along with a plethora of other exhibitors. There will also be demonstrations by Rachel Allen, Paulo Tullio, Andrew Rudd and the Queen of Cooking, Darina Allen. Tickets are €12 and children under 12 get in free.

Sneem Family Festival

The 9th annual Sneem Family Festival takes place from the 18th - 22nd July. Activities include wife carrying, crab fishing & lake fishing, sheep shearing, traditional music and set dancing, a craft and country market and Street entertainment.

N.B Even though the events section is updated weekly, dates and times are liable to change so please do check the websites yourself as well.

If you would like to have your foodie event added please contact Kat at thepurplepageireland (at) gmail.com