Every weekend of the summer there are food festivals taking place across the country. However, there are few that are celebrated quite as far and wide as the Taste of West Cork. From Clonakilty to Macroom, Skibereen to Bantry, the 10-day festival, which runs from Friday 8 September until Sunday 17 September, has such a huge range of events on offer that instead of focusing on just one, we picked a few of our favourites.

The Future of Fairs and

Markets in Ireland

West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen

Friday 8 September |

11am-5pm |€65.

Are you a small business hoping to grow through farmers’ markets? What are the opportunities and challenges you face? Or is there potential for your local area to develop a farmers’ market?

These are the areas that will be addressed at this event. Leading the way is Darina Allen. She started the first modern Irish farmers’ market in Midleton. It will be a day to hear from the experts about successes and struggles over the years. Plus, with workshops in the afternoon, it is an opportunity to have your own voice heard.

The Islander’s Rest Barbeque

with guest chef Derry Clarke

The Islander’s Rest, Sherkin Island |

Sat 9 September |1pm-5pm |From €20.

Sherkin Island is one of the most beautiful places in the country and it will be paired with some fantastic food as award-winning chef Derry Clarke from L’Ecrivain in Dublin will be firing up the coals and cooking up a feast.

Now known as one of the key dates in the west Cork calendar, this annual fundraiser is in aid of the RNLI Baltimore lifeboat station. Best of all, tickets start at €20, which, for a barbeque prepared by this top chef, is very good value.

West Cork Cheese and Wine Tasting

Red Strand Design Studio, Fishers’ Cross, Clonakilty |Saturday 9 September |

7pm-10pm | €35.

Cheese and wine, wine and cheese, what’s not to love? Well, place yourself in the intimate Red Strand Design Studio, a brand new venue in west Cork overlooking Long Strand just outside Clonakilty, and it brings the flavours even more alive. This unique event is hosted by Kate Ryan of Flavour.ie and west Cork’s wine expert Fionnuala Harkin of Wines Direct.

Journey through the Franco-Irish grá of vin and fromage and enjoy the best of west Cork cheeses matched with some truly exceptional French wines. As you sample, you’ll get to hear the stories behind the flavours. It really is the makings of a great evening.

Wild Bere Foraging Walk and Buffet

Bere Island | Saturday 9 September | 3.30pm | €20

It’s very trendy to be eating seafood these days but how does the slime on the seashore make the journey to become the appetising crunch on your plate?

Stephanie O’Toole will show you how as she leads a foraging walk along the seashore of Bere Island, collecting edible plants and seaweed along the way and then bringing them to the Heritage Centre where she will show you how to prepare them using simple, straightforward recipes and basic equipment.

Then it’s time to taste all on offer. Combined with homegrown produce from the island, this buffet lunch is a real treat.

Singing for your Supper

with Robbie Krawczyk

Levis Corner House, Ballydehob |

Friday 15 September | 7pm | €45

Singing for your supper. This event was a roaring success at last year’s festival and it’s back in force this year as top Irish chef Robbie Krawczyk (formerly of Tankardstown House, RAI best chef in Leinster 2016) returns to his native west Cork to setup shop in Ballydehob’s legendary Levis’ Corner House pub.

With food writer Joe McNamee hosting, Krawczyk will serve up his own take on a traditional west Cork dinner using the finest produce of the hinterland. If anyone wants to top off the night with a free meal, diners are encourage to stand up and sing a song of choice, with the winner getting to skip the bill. Fine food and great craic, what’s not to love?

est Buffaloes Tour

Start from Macroom | Tuesday

12 September | 9am to 4pm |€60.

Mozzarella might be traditionally associated with Italy but now west Cork comes to mind thanks to Johnny Lynch’s Macroom Buffalo Farm, which produces some fine cheese. A visit to his farm is part of a tour of the Buail Le Buabhaill area of the county.

Starting out in Macroom, you’ll be led through the town by Dorothy O’Tuama of Lee Valley Taste Trails, visiting the bustling market square and Macroom Castle before heading to the Gearagh Nature Reserve where you’ll meet the happy, grass-fed Irish water buffaloes. After that, you head to the Store of Memories Museum for a traditional brown bread-making demonstration, lunch in Shorten’s pub in Ballingeary and a visit to the beautiful Gougane Barra National Park.

Lunch at the Loft, Glansallagh Gardens

Sunday 10 September | 1.30pm | €45

This is Sunday lunch with a difference. Glansallagh Gardens in Ballydehob are simply gorgeous and if you’re down for the festival, resident chef Bob Cairns will be putting on quite a treat with his five-course tasting lunch.

Bob moved to west Cork from London, where he was head chef at Soho stalwart Andrew Edmunds. The menu is yet to be revealed but Bob describes his style of cooking as simple, rustic, modern European food. Served in the light and airy space of the Tractorshed Loft in the heart of Glansallagh Gardens with panoramic views of the sea and countryside, it is one not to miss. CL