Last weekend was a Bank Holiday weekend here. For the past few years we have headed to Kilkenny on the October Bank holiday to the Savour Kilkenny Festival, but as Alfie was still recuperating this year we did not commit to anything.
However, Saturday last was an absolutely beautiful day. Glorious sunshine. One of those absolutely stunning autumnal days. So there was a quick decision made…. let’s go somewhere!
And the choice was to the Winterage Festival in Lisdoonvarna. Don’t you just love the name Winterage Festival?
Travelling to Lisdoonvarna was such a trip down memory lane. Having spent my childhood in Limerick, summer holidays were usually spent in either Clare or Kerry. And I have memories of sunshine, sand, and seaside trips to Lahinch and Spanish Point…. my Dad was never too keen on Kilkee!
We meandered down all sorts of side roads (Mrs. SatNav was up to her weird tricks again!) and finally arrived in Lisdoonvarna and found the food fair.
What a buzz?
What an amazing display of local producers. All sorts of amazing pastries and cakes, cheeses, chocolates, smoked salmon, wine…. a huge selection.
There were a number of cookery demonstrations by local chefs.
We met friend, Sile (@GarraiSile) who was raving about the delicious seaweed macaroons that we had missed at the opening ceremony. We chatted with Sally from McKenna’s Guides.
We had an impromptu indoor picnic – a delicious tomato tart and tea!
An altogether lovely pleasant afternoon. And, of course, we came home laden down with lots of deliciousness 🙂
We choose the scenic route home… down Cork Screw Hill and around by Blackhead which totally lived up to its name clouds gathering to make it look truly haunting. Well it was Halloween!
Well done to all the organisers. I do hope this is the first year of many for the Winterage Festival!
There really should be more celebrations of local producers.
Do you have a local festival?
A Year In Redwood 