Campo Viejo Tapas Trail 2013: 'Discover a Life Uncorked'

For the third year running, the Campo Viejo Tapas Trail is back! It is without fail one of the highlights of the summer for me. Throughout the months of May to July, food and wine enthusiasts can join the culinary culture of Spanish tapas and discover the true passion, vitality and vibrancy of Spain on the Tapas Trail which will run from 8^th May to 5^th June in Cork City and from 9^th June to 17^th July in Dublin. 

Inspired by the Spanish way of life and Campo Viejo’s mantra of ‘stimulating a more expressive world’, the Tapas Trail will this year bring Spain’s expressiveness and vibrancy to the streets of Dublin and Cork through urban art.   In an exciting new collaboration with renowned Irish urban artists, Psyconautes and Fatti Burke, Campo Viejo will capture Spain’s colourful culture and passion for living through bespoke installations which can be seen and enjoyed during the Tapas Trail.   

Patatas Bravas at the Market Bar

From May 8th to the 1st June lucky participants in Dublin and Cork will get to discover ‘tapeo’, the art of enjoying tapas with friends and family at four of the very best tapas restaurants their city has to offer. At each location, you’ll get the opportunity to sample Spanish cuisine that’s simply bursting with flavour, all brought to life with a glass of Campo Viejo Reserva. Between restaurants, the guides will help you explore the streets of colour, an urban art installation in collaboration with renowned Irish urban artists, Psychonautes and Fatti Burk. In Cork you will get to visit Electric, Arthur Maynes, Oysters and The Cornstore, while in Dublin participants will visit Salamanca, Havana Tapas Bar, the Market Bar and for the first time this year, Bagots Hutton.

I have gone on the Tapas Trail for the last two years and it is without doubt one of the best value and fun nights out there. You can read all about The Purple Page's experience here. One of the things I really loved about last year was how the last restaurant provided dessert tapas. so fingers crossed for those again this year!!

Dessert at Salamanca Fusion

Tickets are 20e per person, plus a new (but nominal) booking fee of €1.10 participants. The trail takes place each Wednesday between 6.30pm and 9.00pm and each Sunday between 2.00pm and 4.30pm in participating restaurants in Dublin and Cork with 80 people attending each session. For further information and to purchase tickets log onto www.facebook.com/campoviejoireland 

or www.campoviejotapastrail.ie, but be quick they won't last very long!!

Lots of Christmas Cheer - Fairs & Events in the next two weeks

As Buddy the Elf would shout, 'SANTA! OH MY GOD! SANTA'S COMING! I KNOW HIM! I KNOW HIM!, and with only two weeks left to go there is much to do before he arrives down the chimney. Yet there is loads happening around the country so if you can, take some time out amidst all the Christmas present shopping, the partying and the organising and enjoy some well earned Christmas cheer. You can visit Santa, eat mince pies, drink Glühwein or do them all together!

Events kicking off this weekend are:

• A Cork Christmas Celebration: Cork City, 13-23. 
• Ballincollig Christmas Market: Ballincollig Shopping Centre, 16 December  
• Christmas Cracker Flea Market: Dublin, 14 – 16 December
• Christmas in Killarney: Co. Kerry, Open Air Markets are on 14th, 15th & 16th December and 21st, 22nd & 23rd December
• Christchurch Christmas Market: Dublin, 15 – 22 December 
• Christmas at the Castle: Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, 15 - 16 December 
• Christmas Food & Craft Fair: Sheridans Cheesemongers, Meath, 15 - 16
• Dame District Christmas Market: Dublin, 14 – 23 December
• Galway Christmas Market: Market Street, Galway City, 14 - 24 December
• The Fair Alternative: Cork City, 15 – 24 December
• The Little Green Christmas Market: Dublin 8, 16 December from 1pm
• Westport Shop & Spraoi Na Nollaig: Co. Mayo, 14 - 16 December  

Loads of fairs and markets throughout the country are already in full gear and some run right up until Christmas Eve:

• Christmas Village and Santa Train at Mount Juliet: Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, 08 - 23 December 
• Derry-Londonderry Christmas Market: Guildhall Sq, Derry, 1 - 22 December
• Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival: Dublin,  1^st  December – 1^st January 2013 
• Galway Continental Christmas Market: Eyre Square, 23 November – 22 December
• Glebe Gardens Christmas Craft Emporium: Saturdays & Sundays 11 – 6pm on 1, 2, 8, 9 December, Open all week from 15 – 24 December
• Kilkenny Christmas Market: Kilkenny City, Weekends from the 1 – 23 December
• The Christmas Market at the Milk Market: Limerick City, Co. Limerick, 29 November - 24 December
• The Docklands Christmas Festival: Dublin, 07- 23 December, 12 – 8pm
• Belfast Christmas Continental Market: Belfast City Hall grounds 17 November to 20 December
• Waterford Winterval: Waterford City, 30th November - 23rd December 

November's Food Festivals & Events

Castlebar Indoor Christmas Market 

Castlebar Christmas Market in Co. Mayo, will take place on Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 November in the Events Arena at Breaffy House Resort from 10am-5pm. With lots of new traders taking part this year it will be a great start to the festive season and a chance to pick up Christmas gifts, crafts, tasty treats and more.

Food and Design Winter Fair at Belvedere 

The 2012 Winter Fair will take place in Belvedere House in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath on the 24 & 25 November. The Winter Fair at Belvedere features contemporary collections of jewellery, interior products, gift ware, textiles, cards, ceramics as well as local food producers all indoors in the Courtyard at Belvedere.

 

Food & Wine Magazine Christmas Show

The FOOD & WINE Magazine Christmas show 2012 is back from the 30th November to the 2nd December  in the RDS Main Hall in Ballsbridge. It will be a three-day food and drink extravaganza, that will show you how to recreate world class dishes in the comfort of your own home!  There will be a Chef's Kitchen, the Artisan Market, a Wine Experience Theatre and a whole host of free masterclasses. Tickets to the event cost €20 but there is an early bird option for €15.

Galway Continental Christmas Market

The third annual Galway Continental Christmas Market will take place from 23 November – 22 December in Eyre Square. A jam-packed schedule comprising of a whole host of different events is promised for the Market’s duration, including  entertainment from Galway’s top live bands and DJ’s, performers, puppet shows, storytelling, school choirs and carol singing. Santa’s Grotto will be run by local charities and the popular Bier Keller will play host to various events throughout the duration of the market alongside offerings of festive treats, artisan food products and Christmas gift ideas.

Listowel Food Fair 

Taking place in  Co. Kerry from the 31 October to 4 November this fair promises to be better than ever. Some of the events on offer include a Food & Literary Taste Trail, a Herbal Medicine Trail and an Organic Gardening Class. There will also be a Food Village and Craft Fair, a Saturday Kitchen Live Demonstration and a Farming Seminar with Minister Simon Coveney and lots more.

Limerick Georgian Quarter Christmas Market 

This Christmas market takes place for 3 days only in Limerick City from 23 - 25 November. Visit the the stalls located throughout No. 1 Hotel & Spa & Pery Square which will include local artisan food producers, arts & crafts, Christmas gifts with a difference and much more.

Taste of Louth 

On 10 & 11, November Taste of Louth takes place in The Marshes Shopping Centre, Dundalk, Co. Louth. There will be demonstrations from Neven Magurie, Clodagh McKenna and Brian McDermott and a  big Taste of Louth Cupcake Challenge. Tickets are €10 for the cookery demonstrations and you can buy them through the Taste of Louth website.

Wild and Slow – Wild Food Harvest Festival:

Slow food Ireland presents Wild & Slow 2012, a unique festival that celebrates everything that is good about Irish food: fresh, local, traditional and wild. It takes place in Macreddin, Co. Wicklow on the 10 & 11 November. There is a huge of range of workshops and events on offer including curing, pickling, foraging, stalking, bee keeping which is just for starters. There will also be a food village offering visitors a chance to sample homemade foods.

Waterford Winterval 

Throughout Waterford City from 30th November to the 23rd December a big winter festival will take place with a huge range of events happening. There will be storytelling, Christmas markets, movies, craft workshops, an ice rink and lots lots more. There really is something for everyone at Winterval 2012.

Lobster and Bubbly for €22 at Brasserie Sixty6

Who doesn't love a good special offer!? As soon as I read about this one I was on the ringer to the mates! For 22 euros Brasserie Sixty6 is offering a lobster meal with a glass of prosecco thrown in. Within ten minutes I had three of the girls convinced and a table booked. I was surprised I had gotten that many to join me as they aren't the biggest fish lovers but as one of the girls said herself it was too good of an offer to miss. Sure the worst that could happen was that she would be paying for a very expensive salad!

Brasserie Sixty6 have taken all the effort out of eating lobster and  have made it simple and hassle free to enjoy. With the claws, they have skewered them and dipped them into a light Tempura batter of rice, flour, cornstarch, sparkling water and sake. It is then flash fryed until the batter is crispy and the claw is cooked through.

The remainder of the tail was lightly brushed with a Lemon and Tarragon oil and skewered. The tail was then pan roasted and cut through to make it easier to eat.  

The curry aioli dip that accompanies the meal is made with garlic, chilli, lime, coriander, curried onion and goes beautifully with the lobster pieces.

The salad is made with watercress, baby gem lettuce, pickled ginger, chilli, pineapple, ruby grapefruit and cherry tomato. This is all served with thick cut chips and a glass of bubbly washes it all down very nicely.

 

This offer is available till the end of October but it must be prebooked so call  01-4005878 if you fancy it. If lobster isn't your thing, then the brilliant Dine in Dublin is on from Monday 22nd to Sunday 28th and there are loads of specials offers to be had in Dublin restaurants throughout the week. It's a perfect excuse to go and try somewhere new. Check out what's on offer here and happy dining!!!

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

Volvo Ocean Race Galway 2012

Last weekend I got to head down to Galway for the start of the Volvo Ocean Race Galway 2012 celebrations. Sent down by work I decided to take advantage and stay a few extra days as I hadn't been there in ages. Despite the torrential and persistent rain, lugging boxes through fields of mud and having to resign a pair of my runners to the bin it was worth it. Once the work event was over I had a few days to get reacquainted with Galway and discover what the Volvo Ocean Race had to offer. 

The Galway Volvo Ocean Race is divided into two areas - the Global Village and the Race Village. The Global Village offers a food pavilion, a fun fair, a craft quarter, an innovation hub and lots, lots more. There are loads of activities happening for both adults and kids from cooking demonstrations to exploring life under the sea. The Race Village is where all gigs are happening and a huge stage has been purpose built for this. Lots of the events are entirely free.There is a bridge which connects the two sections so accessing both areas is fairly manageable. The Food Pavilion and craft area is where I spent a lot of my time tasting cheese, drinking craft beer and helping my mother with her art stand (blatant plug for the mammy!). The Food Pavilion was filled with Irish Food producers including some of my favourites such as Glenilen Farm, Just Food and The Foods of Athenry and new ones such as McGeough's, who do amazing smoked sausages, and Roscommon Chocolate Company.

Even with the rain Galway City was packed and the atmosphere was magic. I also managed to get to a few of the restaurants I have wanted to try for ages but that is another post entirely! If you can manage it, get yourself to Galway for even a day as the event has so much to offer. Unfortunately I couldn't stay longer but if I was there tonight I would be staying up late and helping to celebrate the arrival of the boats who are due in around 1am. The way into Galway harbour will be lit with bonfires from Eeragh on the northern tip of Inishmore and at the Black Fort and the Point. The arrival of the boats will be a sight to behold. The Volvo Ocean Race Galway continues until Sunday 8th July. As the tagline goes 'The race started in Alicante but the party starts in Galway' - it's already well underway!

Transformer's Roadshow: Impressive models

McGeough's

Just Food makers of one of my favourite soups!

Lots of Craft Beer on offer

Edible Garden

Urban Arks: I want this preferably with the chickens!

Faoi Thalamh: An Underground Dining Experience

The phenomenon of pop up restaurants is not a new one but it has taken hold of the Irish public’s imagination in recent years. It’s not unusual to see pop up restaurants, markets and even entire shopping centres take up residence in unused buildings. Personally I think it is a wonderful use of space that would otherwise remain vacant and gives retailers, chefs and other creative types out there an opportunity to showcase their talents without breaking the bank. It allows the Irish public to experience food, crafts, arts and even shopping in a different environment which lends itself to helping people feel like they are part of something special and unique. This is exactly how I felt recently when I attended an underground dining experience organised by Gary Bell and his team. 

 

The venue was an old warehouse on Barrow Street which we weren’t sure was the right place until we saw a group of people carrying quite a lot of beer in with them! The event was BYOB so we were either in the right place or heading into somewhere that looked like it was going to be a good party anyway so we gave it a shot. Turns out it was the right place and once inside the interior took on a magical quality. Filled with candles, music and chat the atmosphere was relaxed, fun and overwhelmingly friendly. 

 

    
Sitting down at our table we were introduced to a lovely bunch of people who all worked in very different walks of life but who had one thing in common – a love of good quality, creative food. We were about to have that in abundance. Our meal started off with Salt 'n' Vinegar Fish-Skin Poppadoms with Baby Chips. These were highly unique, being a mixture of fish skin and poppadoms. They came out on a communal platter which was handed around the table even though I would have happily hogged it for myself!

 

 


Then it was on to the Pan Fried King Scallop with Spring Pea Puree, Pea Shoots, Lemon and Dill butter. I am a big fan of scallops and this was perfectly cooked. The pea puree complimented it very well and added a sweetness to the dish.



The experience was enhanced by the ‘Seaweed Air’. Wine coolers were brought to the table which our waiter poured water into. The ensuing effect was this: 

 

 
The dry ice was activated by the addition of water and seaweed scented air flowed over and around the table. 

Then it was on to the Risotto of Wild Rabbit, with Parma Ham & Chives and Parmesan Cheese. This was creamy and rich with a good helping of rabbit spread throughout it. Thankfully there wasn’t too much of it on the plates as we still had another three courses to go! To cleanse our palates we were given Lemon Sorbet drowned in Absolut Vodka. I have had this before on holidays in Greece and it’s a lovely dessert. At this stage of the meal though I found it a bit strong. Turns out though that I think there was just more alcohol in mine as I did a taste comparison with my friend’s who was scoffing though hers. The Lemon Sorbet was accompanied by “Lemon Scent” which was along the same lines as the Seaweed air. 

Following hot on the heels of that was the main course: Roast Shoulder of Wicklow lamb, Baby Spinach and Dauphinoise potatoes. Lamb is one of my favourite dishes and this was grand. It was not overly done and tasted wonderful but you can’t go too wrong with lamb and potatoes as a main so I did think it wasn't as creative as the other dishes.


 

For dessert there was Strawberry and Champagne Torte. The torte was sponge based which made it extremely light and decidedly moreish, that’s if I could have fit anymore in!! By this stage I was well and truly full. The event cost us €45 to attend which is great value for the experience that we had. It was unique, the food was excellent with some really quirky experiences and the whole thing was enhanced by the socialable nature of the event. Unfortunately we couldn’t stay as I had to get back to Meath but I was ensured that dancing would follow!

Faoi Thalamh pops up around the county, as Gary has a day job as head chef at Portaferry Hotel, so the best way to find out what’s happening is to follow them on Facebook and on Twitter. This weekend they will be at Body and Soul with sittings available throughout the weekend. That event costs €50 and I am assuming you also need a Body and Soul ticket which are still available for both the weekend and for day tickets on Sunday. For more information click here. If you love the idea of underground dining these events are not to be missed.

P.S. Some of the photos are not mine, they came out too dark - it was the fault of all those romantic candles!! So these are taken off Faoi Thalamh's Facebook page.

Campo Viejo Tapas Trail

Last year as soon as I heard about the Campo Viejo Tapas Trail I knew I had to be part of it. The idea was simple, for €20 you would be brought around on a guided tour of Dublin, stop at five well known tapas joints and get to sample their best tapas along with a glass of wine. Food, wine and music - how could I not want to go on that!! So after rounding up a group of friends, off we went to what turned out to be one of the best nights of the summer.

One hundred people attended each night during the event and were spilt into groups of 20 with each group following a different trail. Our expectations of the night were exceeded from the beginning with 3 tapas from each restaurant, followed by a glass of wine and entertainment in a few of the venues. The flamenco dancing got a fair few of the group up onto the dance floor as well and the atmosphere in the venues was electric. We learnt more about the tapas from each venue and about Campo Viejo wine. The tour itself was fun and informative with our wonderful guide telling us facts about Dublin that none of us ever knew. Did you know that there is a medieval wishing well in the middle of Temple Bar?! I'll bet you a glass of Campo Viejo that you didn't!

So this year the Campo Viejo Tapas Trail will take place on Wednesday 27th June to Sunday 19th August. The price is once again €20.  Every Sunday from 2pm - 4.30pm and Wednesday from 6.30pm - 9pm, the trail will visit four Dublin tapas restaurants – Salamanca, Salamanca Fusion, Havana Tapas Bar and the Market Bar. 

Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday 20th June, and can only  be booked through campoviejotapastrail.com or facebook.com/campoviejoireland. One word of advice though, if you want your group to stay together book the tickets in one go - it will make everyone's life easier! I already have my group prepped and ready to book so don't dillydally as it was totally booked out last year!

You know you want some!!

The second World Social Media Day takes place on the 30th June and Cork is to host its own special celebration. Last year's event was a huge success and this year's event organisers, Margaret Smith of UmNumNum and Cian O'Regan, have planned a jam packed day. The idea of the event is to demonstrate to lots of people how little communities are growing and flourishing online from foodies to wine buffs, from knitters to artists, poets, musicians, photographers, sports fans, gardeners, politics junkies, hill climbers, runners and of course the coders and tech guys. Basically the day will be beneficial for everyone to attend.

The day will see many speakers lined up who have stories of how Social Media enriches their lives. They will have novel ways of presenting their stories and the talks will be limited to 15-20 minutes so if something doesn’t interest you then you won’t have long to wait until the subject matter changes!  The event will have really young participants from CoderDojo, like Harry Moran (youngest App developer) to  people in their 70′s and 80′s, showing that there are no barriers to who can enjoy the web and make it a social outlet.

A large part of the day has been set aside for bloggers and wannabe bloggers with a range of workshops covering everything on how to set up a blog, writing for a blog, food photography and how to make money from a blog. To finish off the day with a bang there will be a huge party afterwards in the Bowery, a brand new venue in Cork City Centre.

This  event will take place in the Rubicon Centre,CIT Campus, Bishopstown on Saturday June 30^th from 10.30am – 4pm. The event is totally free so there is no excuse not to make it and the only bad thing about this event is that I can't go!

So in the spirit of all things social media you can get information on the event on Twitter, on Facebook and of course on their blog.

Food Cycle 2012

For the fourth year running, Dublin Cycling Campaign and Dublin Community Growers are organising a Food cycle, with visits to a number of Dublin's many community gardens.  There will be three rides, starting from different locations to visit several community gardens before converging on the OPW walled garden in Phoenix Park. In Phoenix park there will be a talk and guided tour of the walled garden, by Brian Meade of the OPW. It will finish with a picnic in the park!

The starting points are

• Santry Community Garden, Santry Demesne
• Mud Island Community Garden, Newcomen Court, Newcomen Avenue, North Strand
• Pearse College Allotments, Clogher Road, Crumlin

All rides start at 11am on Saturday 16th June. Don't forget to bring food along for the picnic. This is a great idea and one which will help people to get active, learn about community gardens and see more of their city. So even if the weather is a little dodgy at the moment get those waterproofs on and the bikes out and get cycling!

For a more indepth breakdown of the routes please visit dublincycling.ie/foodcycle2012

Are you a Home Cook Hero?

Are you super at stirring, sizzling, searing, slicing and sauteing?? Well now is your chance as the search for Ireland’s favourite recipes and masterpieces has begun! If you bake beautiful buns, create tiny treats or get lucky with your larder on a daily basis, the Easy Food Home-Cook Hero Awards is waiting for your nomination. 

The Easy Food Home-Cook Hero Awards is a national cookery competition, which is open to all home-cooks and aspiring chefs. For the second year running, they are looking for supergrans, supergrandads, supermoms, superdads, superkids or someone who is just plain super! With ten categories for super home cooks to enter into, there is something for everyone.

The competition will culminate with three  cooks being shortlisted from each of the 10 categories who will then be invited to cook their recipe in a good fun cook-off in front of a panel of judges on November 2nd at the state-of-the-art kitchens in Cooks' Academy,  Dublin 2.  Judging this year’s competition are renowned celebrity chefs Kevin Dundon, Catherine Fulvio and Catherine Leydon, as well as Vanessa Greenwood of Cooks Academy and Gina Miltiadou, Publisher of Easy Food Magazine and Co-Founder of Zahra Media Group. The judges will be looking for tasty food that is quick and easy to prepare.

Home cooks can enter by logging onto www.homecookhero.ie or by picking up a copy of Easy Food Magazine and sending in the application form along with the recipe and what it means to them in less than 50 words. Remember you have to use the sponsor’s product in your recipe unless otherwise stated and recipes should  be quick and easy, taking between 30 and 80 minutes to prepare and cook, depending on the category. Closing date for entries is 28th September 2012. So get the whisks, rolling pins, and mixers out it’s time to cook!!

 

May/June Foodie Festivals & Events: 28th May - 4th June

Ballyhaunis Summer Festival 

A 6-day Festival in Co. Mayo with quizzes, a family fun day, an open fishing competition and a traditional fair with lots more taking happening. Taking place from the 30th May - 4th June.

Blue Jean Country Queen Festival

Based in Athboy, Co Meath, this Macra na Feirme event has been running for 25 years.There will be a street carnival, a farmer's market, a Ceilí and of course the Blue Jean Country Queen competition.  It runs from the 1st - 4th June.

Bloom In The Park

Bloom, Ireland's largest gardening, food and family event, will take place in the Phoenix Park Dublin during the June bank holiday weekend for 5 days from 31 May – 4 June. There will be something for everyone with cookery and craft demonstrations, free gardening advice from the experts, Irish food produce, live entertainment and gardening workshops.

Irish Coffee Festival

Taking place in Foynes, Co. Limerick from the 1st - 3rd June, this festival has a varied range of events including Irish coffee making demonstrations, a food and Irish craft fair, workshops and lots of music. 

Love Gourmet Week 

For Love Gourmet Week 2012, ten of the best restaurants in Limerick and the Shannon region will offer a  dining experience from €35 per person. The ethos of the event will be a celebration of local produce, great Irish food and organic produce. As part of Love Gourmet Week, midweek promotions will take place in all participating restaurants with wine deals, cocktail specials and unique seasonal menus on offer to celebrate the event. This event runs from the 1st – 10th June.

Tipperary Fayre

The Tipperary Fayre takes place on the 2nd of June in The Source in Thurles. Bringing together local growers in Tipperary the festival gives visitors the opportunity to browse, taste and buy produce. There will also be arts and crafts stall, music, entertainment and chef Catherine Fulvio will be running a cookery demonstration at 4.30pm.

Strawberry Fest 

This is predominantly a music festival which runs from the 1st - 3rd June but lots of events are taking place in Enniscorthy town. Events such as the All Ireland Farmers Market, The Strawberry Princess, WexFactor and The Strawberry Half Marathon. The 5th Annual All Ireland Farmers Market Competition is due to be held on Sunday 3 June 2012 with the celebrity judge of the competition being Paolo Tullio!

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