I’ve bean thinking about it, and there’s just no way of avoiding puns in this section! So, here goes: versatile, delicious, nutritious – and forever pun-tastic – beans are the focus for the second Ballybunion Bean Festival which takes place on 22 and 23 August. This gas event will take place at The Barna Way in Ballybunion, Co Kerry a 19ac organic farm, eco-social arts project and woodland coordinated by photographer Rena Blake and artist Lisa Fingleton.
Developed out of Brilliant Ballybunion which is a Creative Climate Action Initiative supported by Creative Ireland, the festival has a pulsating programme of talks, walks, workshops and performances. Human beans involved include: Theresa Elumelu from Tralee International Resource Centre and Killarney Asylum Seekers Initiative (KASI) coordinator Marilyn Catapat-Counihan to discuss how important beans are around the world; Thomas O’Connor of Manna Organics/Talamh Beo and Elaine Bradley from Irish Seedsavers on how important it is to grow food; and save seed and our favourite bean author, Ali Honour. Tickets (€75). See brilliantballybunion.com/ballybunionbeanfestival
We’re all food tourists now, seeking out the latest food hotspot whether it’s joining the queue at Flout Pizza in Belfast, trying desperately to make it to Joyce’s Bar in Borris on the days that it sells Plúr Bakery bread, or bookmarking Cassie Stokes’ restaurant and pub recommendations and pre-ordering her Best of Ireland book.
With more than a third of total visitor spend now going on food and drink, some of us with a business would like to learn how to get involved in showcasing our products, services and areas to these food tourists from Ireland and overseas.
This September, Taste 4 Success Skillnet will be running their Sustainable Food Tourism Experience (SFTE) Development programme.
According to Bridie Corrigan Matthews, network director at Taste 4 Success Skillnet, it helps food and drink businesses, farmers, tour guides and experience providers to build both profitable and sustainable food tourism offerings. Registration is open until 8 September for the eight-week online course which starts on 15 September. See taste4success.ie
Derry Clarke is bringing 50 years’ worth of culinary experience to Co Kildare with his recent appointment as culinary director at Dillon’s Rathangan. For 32 years, Derry was chef-patron of the Michelin-starred L’Ecrivain in the heart of Dublin, which he ran with his wife Sallyanne, until it closed in 2023.Nowadays, you’re as likely to find him serving a tasting menu at the Electric Picnic or on stage at the Theatre of Food All Together Now as you are to see him on your telly for RTÉ’s Today Show and Virgin Media’s Six O’Clock Show. A former Commissioner General of EuroToques Ireland – the chef, cook and producer community that promotes the use of Irish ingredients – Derry has always combined his classical French training with first-class local produce. Working with head chef John Kavanagh, he’s now bringing that eye for good food to Dillon’s. Owned by Shane Ryan since 2018, the historic building has been carefully restored with the help of a conservation architect and it’s slated to open in November. I’ve put a pin on Google maps and Dillon’s is only a short detour off the M7. Winter road trip, anyone?
Did you know that Armagh’s Bramley apple is the proud holder of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status? One of only three Northern Irish products that hold PGI status – Comber new potatoes and Lough Neagh eels being the other two – it recognises that Bramleys grown in the Orchard County have unique qualities due to their geographic origin. Sounds like the perfect location for an apple celebration, and the Armagh Food and Cider Weekend does just that from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 September.
This extra long weekend promises everything from a woodland supper hosted by On the Hoof on the edge of Gosford Forest Park, to cider, street food and live music events in the city, an apple picking tour and harvest lunch at Long Meadow Cider orchards.
Another highlight is a cider and spice pairing night hosted by drinks educator Judith Boyle at Ashburn Hotel. As a way of showcasing the best of the Bramley this autumn, Armagh certainly has the tart edge.visitarmagh.com/foodandcider
La Cocina Cuevas is something special. This Californian-style Mexican restaurant and takeaway on Fingers Crossed Farm near Naul in Fingal, Co Dublin, is run by Californian chef Jeremy Cuevas, (pictured) and his Irish partner Laura Duffy. On certain days you can find them turning local, seasonal and Irish ingredients – some grown on the farm – into breakfast burritos, brunch or tacos on site or at Dempsey’s Bar in Balbriggan. Chef Chris Maguire (previously of Delahunt, Frank’s, Locks and now head chef of Spitalfields) is coming in to collaborate on a special Harvest Dinner showcasing the produce of Fingal, including a limited edition Hope honey beer made using honey from the Fingers Crossed Farm apiary. It’s taking place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August. Tickets are €70. See lacocinacuevas.com
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