Culinary Connemara
Once voted ‘ Best Food Festival ’ by the acclaimed McKennas’ Guides, this is the 11th year of this three day celebration of great food, honouring the Killary mussels.
The Connemara Mussel Festival has established itself as a must attend event in the west of Ireland. The festival will gather together a host of culinary delights in the beautiful village of Tullycross, Renvyle with the back drop of the Connemara Mountains.It will be held this year, from April 29th to May 1st.
“The 2016 festival programme has been designed with families, children, artisan producers and food enthusiasts alike in mind,” announced Committee Chairperson,Gerard Coyne. “We have endeavoured to offer a diverse range of events with something for everyone and look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far to scenic north-west Connemara.”
The School of Culinary Arts at GMIT has developed an exciting food programme, with demonstrations from award winning chefs Jess Murphy of Kai Restaurant,Tim O’Sullivan of Renvyle House Hotel, Jonathan Keane of Ashford Castle and Michael O’Meara of Oscar’s Seafood Bistro who will also sign copies of his book “Seafood Gastronomy” which has been shortlisted for the “Best in the World Gourmand Cookbook Awards 2016”. The students at GMIT will also showcase their skills with a seafood recipe competition.
One of the most popular events for children is the ‘Kids in The Kitchen’ workshops. This years theme is ‘Sugar Crush’. Jacinta Dalton, Failte Ireland Food Champion and Lecturer at College of Tourism & Arts at Galway Mayo Institute of Technology alongside her colleague Cait Noone, head of GMIT’s College of Tourism and Arts, will focus on healthy treats and lunch-box snacks without the use of sugar – a relevant and topical conversation taking place around Ireland – early booking is essential.
The weekend will also be choc-a-bloc with fun activities for all ages; including talks on beekeeping, organic gardening, Oscar Wilde’s Connemara Connections, artist William Evan’s watercolours of pre-famine time Connemara, local heritage as well as guided walks exploring the surrounding area.There’s something on offer for all tastes.
In the evenings, there will be concerts by Sean Keane and Cois Claddagh Choir and the local pubs will offer traditional music, dancing and entertainment and much more !
For more information visit www.connemaramusselfestival.com.
The School of Culinary Arts at GMIT has developed an exciting food programme, with demonstrations from award winning chefs.Pictured launching the cookery programme are: Gerry Coyne, Festival Committee Member, Tim O’ Sullivan , executive chef at Renvyle House Hotel, head chef at Ashford Castle Jonathan Keane, and Cait Noone, head of GMIT’s College of Tourism and Arts. Photograph by Martina Regan.
