Food festival whets the appetite for 'feel good' week in Sligo
Launching the poster for the Sligo Food Festival 19th - 21st of March are from left Joe Shannon, Clodagh Fitzgerald, Margaret Heffernan, Brid Torrades Phelim O Neill and Fergal Burke. Credit: Photo: Philip McCaffrey
Wednesday March 10 2010
Sligo is counting down for what may be one of the biggest festivals of Food and Culture in the North West.The Streets of Sligo will come alive in a unique celebration of food and culture the weekend of 19th to 21st March. The Festival is about Sligo producers showcasing what they do best, the production of excellent produce, the restaurants offering excellent value for money.
"There is something for everyone. This is about helping ourselves and on a serious note, keeping jobs in Sligo," organiser, Margaret Heffernan explains.
The festival will feataure theWorld Championships IRISH STEW COMPETITION for both professional chefs and enthusiastic amateur cooks using Sligo produced lamb.
The young people will not be left out either as there will be a Junior Masterchef Competition for second level students.
"The level of sophistication portrayed in these menus was heartening, with a very big entry from all around the region. These young men and women will be judged by none other than Celebrity Chef, Neven Maguire, Mc Nean Restaurant, Blacklion," she adds. It's not all about food, though it will be hard to escape from it over the weekend.
There is a street carnival and with Sligo's rich tradition of music in full swing, including samba bands, there will be music somewhere/everywhere over the weekend.
Younger children can enjoy a mad hatters party, Easter Bonnet competitions, paint a plate, vegetable painting, all of these happening around the town.
There will also be an enormous Artisans Outdoor Market in the town centre for the weekend, based in Tobergal Lane and along the River.
A seaweed gathering trip with Dr Prannie Rhatigan along the shore in Strandhill takes place on Saturday, with buses from town.
Those interested in geting re-aquainted with the brothers Yeats can join a tour of the beautiful sites associated with both the paintings of Jack and the poetry of W.B. This tour is led by Columb Mc Bride who has an enormous store of folklore to share.
The final day of the Festival will be celebrated in the Knocknarea Arena at Sligo Institute of Technology with a cooking extravaganza created by celebrity television chef, Neven Maguire, Dr Prannie Rhatigan, Seaweed Cookery expert, and Maire Dufficy, Bord Bia. This takes place on Sunday morning commencing at 11.00am sharp. Tickets will be available from THe Bord Failte Office, Temple Street, Tobergal Lane Cafe, Osta Cafe, Ko-Ko Latte Coffee shop Quayside shopping centre. Entry charge, €10.00 and family ticket (two adults and three children) €20.00.
