An army of up to 40,000 foodies is expected to descend on the Marble City for this year’s Savour Kilkenny Festival of Food over the October Bank Holiday weekend.
The increasingly popular festival was formally launched by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed TD last Friday in the courtyard of Rothe House.
The Minister’s taste buds were tickled by the samples of delicious foods that will be on offer, and the breadth and quality of the planned events.
“Kilkenny has a profound heritage with food, and it’s something which we must continue to invest in and celebrate,” he said.
“Savour Kilkenny presents the perfect opportunity to highlight the work being done by food producers all across the country. It provides a platform where their work is showcased and reminds us just how creative and talented the people working within this industry are.
“Savour Kilkenny is also a great attraction for tourists and it’s fantastic once again to see the medieval city put on a world-class festival for everyone to enjoy.”
Savour Kilkenny Chairperson Ger Mullally said he can’t wait for this year’s festival.
“We believe visitor numbers are going to be at an all-time high, with attendees expected to reach 40,000.
“We can attribute this increased interest in the festival to many factors, including the stellar line-up and packed itinerary of events, as well as the continued support and participation from all the producers and businesses in Kilkenny, not to mention Kilkenny’s recent win as Ireland’s Top Foodie Destination.
“All of this combined means the festival is set to be taken to a whole new level this year,” he said.
The Children’s Programme will take priority, with a wide variety of activities and events to suit all age groups.
This includes everything from The Young Food Producers Market, to treasure hunts and cooking classes, and everything in between.
The itinerary for the five days is jam packed with something for all the family. Festival highlights include cookery demonstrations with The Happy Pear, Edward Hayden, Rosanna Davison, Derval O’Rourke, Rory O’Connell, David Gillick, Kevin Dundon, Domini and Peaches Kemp, Kevin Thornton, Finn Ní Fhaoláin, Eugene McSweeney and JP McMahon, to name but a few.
A special feature at this year’s Savour Kilkenny, which will also mark a first for the festival, is The Darkness into Light Bowls Exhibition.
The Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, in association with Ceramics Ireland and Savour Kilkenny, invited ceramicists from all over Ireland to donate a Darkness into Light bowl in aid of Pieta House, and these will be auctioned at Savour Kilkenny 2018.
The events itinerary is wide and varied, with events featuring some well-known and loved personalities, including Darina Allen, Rory O’Connell, Frances Walsh from The Honest Project, and some of Kilkenny’s local hurling legends, including Jackie Tyrrell, and Paul Murphy.
For more information on Savour Kilkenny Festival of Food, click here.