What really is a festival? A big party, a celebration of something? Music is usually the subject of adoration, but what good is a sweet guitar riff when you are sleeping in a muddy tent, surviving on grease-laden chips and Tesco lager, as you shiver and reminisce about vegetables and fibre? No, good food and drink plays an important part in any festival experience. Thankfully, this summer is filled with unmissable food and drink festivals across Ireland, promising days of culinary exploration and meals that haven’t just been swept off the floor and thrown into a fryer.
Five unmissable Dublin food and drink festivals in Summer 2017:
1. Taste of Dublin
When: 15th- 18th June
Where: Iveagh Gardens
This food and drink festival promises to be the “ultimate foodie festival”. Focusing on an international flair this year, the festival promises global cuisine and foreign twists on traditional Irish dishes. Highlights include Lindt chocolate master classes, Barry’s Tea cocktails and a live cooking demonstration from Darina Allen.
Tickets are purchased in 4-5 hour sessions, and start at €15 online.
2. Flavours of South Dublin
When: 25th June
Where: Rathfarnham Castle
Hosted by South Dublin County Council, this one-day event in its inaugural year aims to celebrate the county’s diversity and show the culinary excellence habiting South Dublin. The event is setting itself up to be a family-friendly day out in Rathfarnham Castle, offering food from across the globe, from Ireland to Asia, also incorporating cultural elements.
Entry is free and the festival will run from 11am to 6pm.
3. The Irish G&T Fest
When: 25th June – 1st July
Where: Throughout Ireland
The recent switch from craft beers to craft gin in the trend-o-sphere has bred a slew of new Irish gins on the market, and what better opportunity to try them? With multiple venues across the country, no county will be without an array of juniper-infused spirits. The 14 brands being showcased during the festival will also be holding their own events, such as a ukulele concert hosted by Bertha’s Revenge in Cork and a G&T demo held by Mór Irish Gin in Dublin’s Idlewild Bar.
Check out Great Irish Beverages’ website for a list of venues and drink producers.
4. Beatyard
When: 5th – 6th August
Where: Dun Laoghaire
Featuring the popular Eatyard food market and a huge array of musical acts at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, this epic festival is not to be missed. The festival boasts over a hundred food vendors, including foodie famous names like Box Burger, The Happy Pear and Pitt Bros. On the drinks front, expect a Jameson Whiskey Bar and a Brewtonic Bar serving craft beers and spirits. The festival has also expanded the yard parameter to include a Gamesyard (featuring an arcade), a design and tech-orientated Studioyard, and a Boatyard, which is essentially a big party on a boat.
Tickets are pricey (€63.79 for a day ticket) but volunteering applications are still open on the Beatyard website.
5. The Big Grill Festival
When: 17th – 20th August
Where: Herbert Park
Do you like meat? Do you like fire? Do you like combining the two with sauce? Then pop on over to Ballsbridge and fulfil your carnivorous side with the Big Grill barbeque festival. Everything from chili to hot wings will feature, with over 50 food stalls alongside live-fire cooking and eating competitions. With headline names such as Whole Cow Feast and DJ BBQ, it’s sure to be completely vegan-unfriendly and delicious.
Tickets start at €16 and are available at biggrillfestival.com
