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23 Oct 2025
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23 Oct 2025
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Have a butchers at this original photo by Brendan Gleeson: Louise Casey, Eimear Carroll, Valerie Greene, Mairead Ryan, Tracey McCarthy, Noel O'Dea, John O'Dea, Tom Jones at the launch
A COUNTY Limerick parish is hoping for a sizzling end to the summer with Ireland’s first black pudding festival for home cooks.
It will be part of the annual Kilteely Dromkeen Festival at the end of August and organisers hope their new competition won’t be a flash in the pan.
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The festival in the East Limerick parish was always synonymous with a soapbox derby but insurance companies waved the red flag over that spectacle.
Organisers put their thinking caps on to put their event on the map and thought of our collective history when a pig was kept by many families. Everything bar the squeal was utilised to feed the household.
The competition takes place on Sunday, August 31 in Kilteely and festival organiser Noel O’Dea hopes the place will be packed with pudding experts.
“Everyone says their pudding is the best — now’s their chance to prove it,” laughed Noel. “We’re expecting fierce competition, plenty of local pride, and maybe even a few family secrets getting spilled along the way!”
There are two categories - home cooks and local butchers.
“If you’ve got a killer breakfast fry, a pudding-stuffed pastry, or a family recipe you’ve sworn to protect since 1950, now’s your moment. Or if you’re a butcher who thinks your pudding is the pride of the counter then let the people, and the judges, decide,” said Noel.
Entries will be judged on flavour, texture, originality, and overall puddin’ perfection.
There will be prizes but more importantly, bragging rights.
Winners will be crowned Black Pudding Champion of Kilteely Dromkeen 2025.
“We’re not saying it’ll settle every debate in the parish,” added Noel, “but it’ll certainly spice up a few breakfast tables!”
To enter, message the Kilteely Dromkeen Festival Facebook, Instagram page or contact Noel on 087 6278022. Entry is free, and all are welcome. Festival organisers can help with sourcing ingredients. Entries will use blood, of course, but perhaps best if they leave the sweat and tears out of the recipe!
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