This year marks the birth of the Clare Food and Drink Fleadh, taking place between September 26th and 29th. The brand new festival comes at a time when Clare has truly proved its worth as the leading county for traditional Irish music festivals, writes Cian O’Broin.
Margaret O’ Brien of the Ennis Chamber conceived the idea of the festival to, “show that Clare is renowned for its food produce, with artisans of the food trade spread out all over the county.”
One particular event which catches the eye is a special bus tour, designed specifically to be, “both informative as well as fun”. The tour takes place on September 29th from 9:30am to 4:00pm. Margaret commends the modesty of a ticket ranging from only 22 euros, “if you were to calculate the true value of the ticket it would exceed the price of a weekend pass to electric picnic.” The tour kicks off with a traditional Irish breakfast at No. Forty One in Abbey Street, Ennis.
The first official stop takes place at Lahinch where tour members will be greeted by one of Ireland’s leading foragers Oonagh O’ Dwyer. “Everyone can bring a pair of wellies and a rain jacket and can take a plastic bag with them on to the beach, so that they can take home whatever they want, after an eye-opening masterclass delivered by Oonagh.”
Next up is the infamous Burren Smokehouse, where tour members will be educated on culinary techniques involving salmon and other types of fish. This visit will be delivered in the form of a masterclass and promises to be an eye-opening experience for everybody on board, with some tasting samples included also. Following this is a stop at the Aillwee Caves Farm Shop where everyone will get to tout and taste the secrets of expert cheese making.
The tour comes to an end in Ennis in the late afternoon just in time for everyone to attend the final of the Fleadh which takes place at 7:30pm.
Tickets are available to purchase online on eventrbite.ie.
