This autumn Ireland is throwing open the doors to a celebration of the very best of the country’s food and drink. Island-wide, all kinds of restaurants, farmers markets, producers, festivals, tours and everything in between will be serving up a feast of unmissable food and drink.
Taste the Island will also be offering plenty of opportunities to meet the makers and hear the stories behind great Irish food products. It’s the perfect way to get to the heart of their craft, see how the soil-to-service journey happens and what makes Irish food and drink so good.
Start with a tipple and experience the whole process of cider making in the fertile ‘Orchard County’ of Armagh. Meet the McKeever family, who will take you from ‘blossom to bottle’ on a tour of their Long Meadow Farm (19 October). Pick some apples, see where the cider, apple juices and cider vinegar are made, and finish off with tea and coffee, slices of apple tart and Long Meadow Cider samples.
For those interested in meeting a foraging expert, head to Broughgammon Farm on the Causeway Coastal Route on 13 October. Professional forager Dermot Hughes will be there to share his extensive knowledge of foraging for wild edibles. Kick off the day with a farm walk, where you’ll learn all about what’s edible in the hedgerows in the autumn. Learn how to harvest safely and sustainably and see a demo using the foraged food.
Every Friday and Saturday in the autumn, the family-run Ardkeen Quality Food Store in Waterford city will be the place to be for tasting one of the world's best selections of Irish artisan food and drink. The superb in-store samplings and conversations with the small-batch makers of Ireland’s Ancient East will feature everything from the floury County Waterford ‘blaa’ bread, foraged cordials, heathery mountain lamb and botanical gin.