What inspired the beginning of the Biggest Food & Drink Extravaganza of the North West a decade ago was to establish Donegal Town & County as a major Food Destination therefore it is anticipated that a record number of Food lovers, visitors and locals will descend on Donegal Town from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th August 2018 for its 10th Anniversary!.
And, according to Chairperson Ernan Mc Gettigan, the ethos is still the same today.
From humble beginnings and since it was first launched in 2008 the success of the Festival has evolved over the years. We now attract Food Lovers from all over the world to our beautiful tented village on the Pier in Donegal Town with the backdrop of the Blue Stack Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. From day one almost the entire Programme of Events remains unchanged as our Celebrity Chefs, Experts and Exhibitors keep returning as a testament to the need to participate.
Every year we raise the bar!! We are going from strength to strength and 2018 will be no different! These successes are brought on by the Voluntary Committee sitting down post event and evaluating what worked well and what areas need to be improved in order to increase the overall experience for everyone concerned while simultaneously aspiring to raise A Taste of Donegal on the National Food Calendar of Events.
This year’s Festival once again gathers together Top Restaurants, Hotels, Food and Drink Providers. With 130 renowned exhibitors being showcased; you can meander, browse, meet the producers, smell, taste and purchase some of the finest food and drink available from all over the country giving visitors the opportunity to sample products which are new and unfamiliar to them. The showstopper each year and what we have become recognized for is our Cookery Demonstrations by high profile Celebrity Chefs.
Alongside all the Celebrity Chefs like Neven Maguire, Gary O’ Hanlon, Kevin Dundon , Martin Shanahan, Brian Mc Dermott, Catherine Fulvio, Edward Hayden, Joe Shannon and others together with Exhibitors A Taste of Donegal Food Festival provides a full entertainment programme throughout the weekend, with Fireworks over Donegal Bay, Live music, Interactive Street Theatre, Family Fun and Mime all evident!!
Ernan Mc Gettigan says “there is something here for everyone”.
There are a lot of Food Festivals but what makes us unique is that we focus on building a quality event which is true to Food and Drink giving many producers the opportunity to promote and showcase their food offerings synonymous to Donegal’s Good Food Story. Our Festival has now become an integral part of the Summer Season in County Donegal. The Committee feel that Food Festivals like A Taste of Donegal play a very important role in driving Food Tourism in Ireland by creating the perfect atmosphere and an everlasting experience for all involved. We now know that visitors are booking their annual vacations around events such as these.
The theme of this year’s festival is its 10th birthday celebration and with 25,000 people visiting the Pier Town last year, Mr Mc Gettigan credits the Local Community for the success of the Festival.
“This is an entirely voluntary Community Festival which is brilliant and not every town or village has this, so we’re very lucky,” he said. “The whole Community of Donegal Town and County really get behind and support us from our hardworking and dedicated volunteers to community groups, sponsors, and businesses.
All that is left for me to say is come along; tantalise your taste buds and as our caption says , “Discover, Dine and Delight in Donegal Town” over the Festival weekend and indeed every time you visit the region.
Full programme: www.atasteofdonegal.com