The five-day Galway Food Festival (2 – 6 April) will celebrate all things foodie in a place where the likes of wild Atlantic salmon and the freshest of seafood, Connemara spring lamb, brown trout, and organic fruit, vegetables and herbs can all be found in abundance.
Now in its fourth year, this festival is just made for gourmet enthusiasts, families and anyone seeking an authentic experience of the west of Ireland.
More than 70,000 people flocked to savour its delights last year, and this Easter the highlights will include an eclectic festival food village, country markets, workshops, and live cooking demonstrations involving over 100 food outlets and producers from the Wild Atlantic Way.
The artisan producers in the coastal communities of the west are making some of Europe’s best cheeses, craft brews, seafood dishes, chocolates and more, with their primary ingredients sourced from farmers, fishermen and foragers who are rooted in local traditions.
These distinctive flavours and skills will all come together at Easter in expertly prepared dishes, served simply, in a relaxed style, and with plenty of Irish craic thrown in for good measure.
Taster trails along Galway city’s cobbled streets will take in unique locations, including the Aran Islands, where food tours will explore age-old harvesting traditions coupled with today’s techniques.
An inspirational series of talks on topical food and drink issues, comedy lunches and appearances by acclaimed Irish chefs such as Derry Clarke will contribute to the famous buzz, craic and culture of this exceptional food lovers’ event.
Live cooking demonstrations for adults and children, coastal foraging trips on the Wild Atlantic Way, tours of Galway’s contrasting landscapes, craft beer-making tours, cocktail classes and whiskey and wine tastings are also on offer.
Foodies will be able to meet artisan producers, brewers, suppliers, and talk to anyone from Michelin star chefs to the humble growers who supply outlets located along the twisting western seaboard.
Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way is alive with an array of unexpected experiences from Donegal in the north to Cork in the south, but the aroma of good food and the oohs and aahs of an army of foodies will be particularly tempting in Galway this Easter – who could resist?
