IN PICTURES: great turnout for first day of West Waterford Festival of Food

Up to 70,000 visitors are expected to descend on the beautiful harbour town of Dungarvan, nearby Lismore and throughout West Waterford this weekend for the much-anticipated West Waterford Festival of Food, one of Ireland’s largest and longest running community festivals. 

The 3-day festival, from 14th-16th April, shines a spotlight on locally produced, wholesome food and chefs from the county and will feature more than 70 events.

Everything kicked off on Friday with family farm buses and Richard Shore will host story time in Dungarvan Library with exciting tales and adventures of ‘The Tangled Tuna’.

That evening a Gala Dinner took place in the resplendent Lismore Castle, which honoured Paul and Maire Flynn and was cooked by Chefs who are all ‘past pupils’ of the Tannery. The culinary couple also chatted with award winning author John McKenna. Others gathered at the unusual venue of Dungarvan Mart for ham sandwiches and crisps, music, laughter, and family stories the Clancy Family.  Other unique events on Friday include a Burlesque dinner show in Merry’s, Park after Dark, tapas trails and much more.

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Anyone looking for an early start on Saturday got their fix with Sunrise yoga, sauna and breakfast on Clonea beach and the much-loved Flahavan’s festival breakfast taking place at Mount Congreve. A Tirlan family fun zone will also take place for the day where kids can experience animal magic, wobbly circus, mobile farm, sensory cooking classes, LAMH cookery demonstration, Food Waste Warrior workshop, and lots more.

Don’t miss Bia not Bluster, panel conversations around change in the food industry, from the future of restaurants to farming and real sustainability, in the town hall between 11am-4pm. 

Dungarvan will be a hive of activity for the afternoon with the Festival Quayside market, RNLI Duck race at 3pm, craft cocktail classes, restaurant trails, afternoon tapas – the list goes on!

As evening falls on Saturday, there will be restaurants literally popping up everywhere! From Chefs on Trial at the Courthouse, to a tablescaping workshop and dinner at the Old Market House Arts centre, a seasonal adventure with Irish Food with Caitlin Ruth at The Tennis Club, the Rugby Club, Legacy Cider, to a Surplus to Spectacular dinner with Food Cloud at 2Sisters Restaurant. Mike Hanrahan and Eleanor Shanley will also entertain music lovers at Dungarvan Mart – not to be missed.

Start off Sunday with a shifting sands, seaweed infused breakfast and yoga in the beach, or maybe you would prefer a lazy Sunday brunch at Interlude or a gin fuelled brunch at Blackwater distillery? Cork’s famous Goldie also comes to Dungarvan!  And a highly competitive junior bake off will take place from 11am to 2am so make sure you pop by. Taste Waterford demos and chats will be going all day in the Town Hall whilst outside the Dungarvan Square will be home to one of Ireland's largest markets with over a 100 artisan producers.

Many events are free, some are ticketed, and many are already sold out, so make sure to book to avoid disappointment.  See www. westwaterfordfestivaloffood. com/.

The West Waterford Festival of Food is funded by Waterford Council, Waterford Leader Partnership, Fáilte Ireland, and Waterford LEO and would not be possible without the support of sponsors, friends circle and the community.

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