2012 IRELAND 2012
Festivals, Exhibitions, Fairs, Expos
(see also: 2011 - 2009 - 2008)
February 1, 2012 Food & Bev Live
Dublin, Republic of Ireland
An exciting one day trade event for the foodservice and hospitality industry. Five national skills competitions including National Barista Championships; Junior, Senior and Gastro Pub Chef of the Year; and National Cocktail Championships. Each winner will represent Ireland at world championships.
Feb 1, 2012 Irish Barista Championships
Dublin, Rebublic of Ireland
Ireland's best baristas will compete in the categories Barista, Latte Art, and Cup Tasting.
February 7-8, 2012 Irish Farm Expo
Dublin, Rebublic of Ireland
The event will encompass every aspect of agriculture all in one central venue--tractors, machinery demonstrations, landscaping & nurseries, bio fuels, country living, farmers market and more.
Feb 29-Mar 1, 2012 10th World Food Technology & Innovation Forum
Dublin, Republic of Ireland
The 10th Annual World Food Technology and Innovation Forum 2012 gathers the world leaders in research and development, innovation and NPD to debate, and shape the future of the food industry. The current economic climate has affected all industries including food and Beverage companies and they must continue to innovate in order to survive and thrive in the short, medium and long term. This programme highlights the most effective strategies, tools and techniques to maximise innovation, competitiveness and profitability in new market conditions.
March 6, 2012 Northern Ireland Beef Expo
Dungannon, Tyrone, Northern Ireland
The event will include an extensive trade stand area, beef breed exhibits, educational and advisory exhibits, competitions, and a comprehensive seminar programme.
March 15-19, 2012 Irish Craft Beer Festival
Dublin, Republic of Ireland
A celebration of Irish craft brewing, live music, and fabulous Irish artisan food stalls. Family entertainment during the day includes creative workshops for children, face-painting, street performers, and much more!
March 16-18, 2012 Guinness Storehouse St. Patrick's Festival
Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Join us at Ireland's number one visitor attraction for live music, food tasting, and much more. On St. Patrick's Day we'll have complimentary tastings of Guinness® infused food topped off with plenty of good 'craic' for you to enjoy throughout the entire festival. Also savour tastings of the different Guinness® variants--Original, Extra Stout & Black Lager.
March 26-Apr 1, 2012 Dine in Dublin Week
Dublin, Republic of Ireland
A selection of the city’s top restaurants will offer special promotional rates. Customers will be presented with a special Dine in Dublin menu with a delicious selection of 5 starters, 5 mains and 3 desserts, also including tea and coffee.
April 6-9, 2012 Galway Food Festival - Galway, Republic of Ireland
Taking place during Easter weekend, the festival will include restaurant trails, themed menus, tastings, cookery demos, workshops, and competitions, entertainment and more.
April 6-7, 2012 Northern Ireland Farm Toy & Model Show
Portrush, Antrim, Northern Ireland
The organisers warmly welcome you to this unique event, held at the Magherabuoy House Hotel in Portrush.
April 12-15, 2012 Waterford Festival of Food
Dungarvan, Waterford, Republic of Ireland
This annual festival has become synonymous with fabulous food, fantastic family fun, magical music and much more. Celebrate the richness and diversity of our food culture in a powerful community setting.
April 24-26, 2012 IFEX Int”l Food, Drink & Catering Exhibition
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland”s food, drink, hospitality and retail exhibition.
April 27-29, 2012 Dublin Bay Prawn Festival
Howth, Fingal, Republic of Ireland
The festival features a food village packed with food stalls, cookery demonstrations, wine-tasting events, prawn shelling competitions, and musical entertainment, as well as fireworks.
May 2-7, 2012 Roscommon Lamb Festival '12
Roscommon, Republic of Ireland
A celebration of family fun, great food, farming, crafts, heritage, and community spirit in County Roscommon. The festival is in it’s fifth year and is one of the Midlands premier agricultural, country, and family festivals.
May 4-6, 2012 Connemara Mussel Festival
Renvyle, Galway, Republic of Ireland
A weekend of music, activities and of course bowls full of fresh Killary mussels. Each year Killary Harbour produces up to 2000 tonnes of rope mussels. There are both amateur and professional mussel cooking competitions, chef demonstrations, country market. Also, dancing, music, art, and childrens activities.
May 18-20, 2012 So Sligo Food Festival
Sligo, Republic of Ireland
This year’s line up includes: World Irish Stew, Professional Chef, & Amateur Competitions, Connacht Junior Chef Competition, Signature Dish Competition, Food Village, Cookery Demonstrations, Talks, Films, Tastings, Food Trails, Farm Walks, Street Entertainment, and Kiddie Activities.
May 18-20, 2012 Burren Slow Food Festival
Lisdoonvarna, Clare, Republic of Ireland
Farmers Market, Cookery Demos, Talks on Responsible Irish Fishing and Holistic Chefing, Tea at Father Ted's House, Ecotourism experiences and more.
May 21-27, 2012 National Vegetarian Week
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Various locations
National Vegetarian Week (NVW) is the annual awareness-raising campaign promoting inspirational vegetarian food and the benefits of a meat-free lifestyle. Celebrated by the Vegetarian Society since 1992, the Week is now an established event that gets bigger and better every year. (also: www.vegsoc.org)
May 25-27, 2012 Baltimore Seafood Festival
Baltimore, Cork, Republic of Ireland
Held in conjunction with the Baltimore Wooden Boat Festival, this three-day event is a showcase for the products of Baltimore's fishing and fish farming industries and for other local food producers.
May 25-27, 2012 Charleville Cheese Festival
Charleville, Cork, Republic of Ireland
Celebrating Charleville's role as a cheese processing center, the festival includes music, a pageant, vintage car parade, hurling tournament, talent show, and much more.
May 26 , 2012 Whisky Live
Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Whether you are a whisky enthusiast, newcomer to the world of the dram, or just want a day out at one of the most entertaining events of the year, Whisky Live has something to offer everyone.
May 26-27, 2012 Moira International Food Festival at the National Countrysports Fair
Moira Demesne, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
The International Food Festival at the National Countrysports Fair is one of the largest of its kind in the UK and Ireland. Now in its ninth year, it continues to attract the top producers from home and abroad. Housed in a 10,000 sq. foot Food Village at the heart of the Fair, the Moira International Food Festival has become a permanent and popular feature at this two-day event.
May 26-27, 2012 A Taste of Carlingford
Carlingford, Louth, Republic of Ireland
A two day celebration of fine food and drink set in the idyllic surroundings of the Mediaeval village of Carlingford. All the restaurants, bars and cafés will provide visitors a taste of the wonderful range of cuisine on offer, in a veritable market place of tents and stalls.
June 1-3, 2012 Foynes Irish Coffee Festival
Foynes, Limerick, Republic of Ireland
Celebrating Foynes' role as an aviation center during the 1940's era of 'flying boats' and the famous Irish coffee drink invented by chef Joe Sheridan to warm passengers after a long flight. The festival includes the World Irish Coffee Making Championship, parades, fireworks and entertainment.
June 1-3, 2012 Wexford Strawberry Festival
Enniscorthy, Wexford, Republic of Ireland
Celebrating its 45th year, the festival will feature street music, an outdoor market, amusements, craft fair, and the Strawberry Queen.
June 14-17, 2012 Taste of Dublin
Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Fine dining will be transported to Iveagh Gardens for four days of summer eating, drinking and entertainment. 20 of the city’s best restaurants will be dishing up their finest in an unbeatable alfresco gourmet feast, while 100 producers provide a bounty of the best food and beverages.
June 16, 2012 67th Annual Saintfield Show
Saintfield, Down, Northern Ireland
First held in 1945, the Show continues to attract the best exhibitors from across Home Industries, Poultry, Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Clydesdales, Horses, Ponies, Carriage Driving, Donkeys, Miniature Horses, and Show Jumping. A fun day out for all the family with Refreshments, Children's Amusements, Vintage Tractors, Trade Stands, Craft Fair and a Dog Show.
June 20-24, 2012 56th Westport International Sea Angling Festival
Westport, Mayo, Republic of Ireland
This annual festival is internationally acclaimed and attracts sea anglers from all over the world for both shore and boat competitions.
June 22-24, 2012 Festival of Food Fish & Fun
Dunmore East, Waterford, Republic of Ireland
The program includes many cookery demonstrations and seminars, arts & crafts, angling competition, mobile farm, and festival grazing throughout the village.
July 5-8, 2012 27th Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival
Kilmore Quay, Wexford, Republic of Ireland
Centered on seafood, fishing, and fun for all the family, events include an angling competition, children's activities, photography exhibition, music, arts, and parade. Local restaurants compete to create the best and most exciting seafood platter.
July 8-15, 2012 Ballina Salmon Festival
Ballina, Mayo, Republic of Ireland
A family friendly festival in the 'Salmon Capital of Ireland', incorporating the Ballina Street & Arts Festival. The program includes a triathalon, Fly Casting Day, motorbike show, raft race, street music, fireworks, and more. Attendance: 200,000.
July 14, 2012 Castlewellan & District 45th Annual Agricultural Show
Castlewellan, Down, Northern Ireland
Held within the beautiful grounds of Castlewellen Forest Park, the event is recognised as one of the foremost one-day shows in the country and is a good day out for the family.
July 19-22, 2012 Feile Bia na Mara--Achill Seafood Festival
Achill Island, Mayo, Republic of Ireland
Féile Bia na Mara is a culinary celebration of Achill's rich heritage with the sea, showcasing the bountiful harvest of the Atlantic Ocean. Events include cookery demonstrations, seaweed safaris, fish markets, seafood BBQs, and a family sandcastle competition.
August 4-5, 2012 Ballinlough Food Festival at the Irish National Country Fair
Ballinlough Castle, Co. Westmeath, Republic of Ireland
Traditional Irish Food Festival organised as a part of the Irish National Country Fair at Ballinlough Castle
August 11-12, 2012 Carlingford Oyster Festival
Carlingford, Louth, Republic of Ireland
Two days of Oysters galore, Oyster Pearl Hunt, World Crab Fishing Contest, Street Entertainment, Oyster Tent, Food Markets, Sailing Regatta, and the Famous Carlingford Seafood Chowder. Enjoyment for all the Family!
August 24-26, 2012 A Taste of Donegal Food Festival
Donegal Town, Republic of Ireland
A three day celebration of Great Food, Drink, Celebrity Chef appearance's, Tutored Wine Classes by Wine Experts, Food and Drink Exihibitors with Tastings and Music and Much More.
August 25, 2012 Iverk Agricultural Show
Piltown, Kilkenny, Republic of Ireland
Started in 1826, this is Ireland's longest running agricultural fair.
August 25-26, 2012 Oughterard Agricultural Show
Oughterard, Galway, Republic of Ireland
The 49th annual exhibition of cattle, sheep, ponies, horses, donkeys, dogs, pets, vintage machinery, arts, crafts and farm produce, as well as the International Connemara Pony Performance Championships.
August 31-Sept 2, 2012 Clarenbridge Oyster Festival
Clarenbridge, Galway, Republic of Ireland
Celebrating our most famous export, the succulent Clarenbridge oyster, with a festival of food, entertainment and fun.
September 6-9, 2012 Hillsborough International Oyster Festival
Hillsborough, Down, Northern Ireland
In 2012 the Festival will be celebrating it’s 20th Anniversary. Highlights include an oyster eating competition, gala ball, concert & dance, children's entertainment, vintage car displays and raft race.15,000
September 10-16, 2012 Waterford Harvest Festival
Waterford, Kilkenny, Republic of Ireland
Join us for nine days of fun filled foodie events with cookery demonstrations, food tours, foodie films, tastings, taste workshops, restaurant trails, quayside markets, barbecues, street performances and big outdoor music gigs.
October 5-6, 2012 Northern Ireland International Ploughing Championships
Drumahoe, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
The 69th Northern Ireland International & the 29th European Reversible Ploughing Championships.
October 5-7, 2012 Dingle Food & Wine Festival
Dingle, Kerry, Republic of Ireland
The 6th annual festival will celebrate the best that the Dingle Peninsula has to offer in terms of food, fun and the beauty of Dingle. Highlights include a Taste Trail with over 55 outlets and the annual Blas na hEireann, National Irish Food awards.
October 12-14, 2012 36th Annual Kinsale Gourmet Festival
Kinsale, Cork, Republic of Ireland
Highlights include the Cook Off on the Streets of Kinsale and the Mad Hatters Taste of Kinsale.
November 22-24, 2012 13th Belfast Beer and Cider Festival
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Serving up the biggest bar in Ireland, selling almost 100 real ales and 20 real ciders and perries. And of course there will be some fantastic live music. CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Northern Ireland.
|
