Tempt Your Taste Buds at the Food and Drink Festival

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is gearing up for a major food and drink festival in Newcastle.

The festival will take place on Saturday 14 September at the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa in conjunction with Taste the Island, which is a brand-new initiative to promote food and drink on the island of Ireland. The Council, along with Tourism Northern Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, will be promoting Taste the Island throughout September, October and November.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “Taste the Island will celebrate the quality, creativity and entrepreneurship from our local producers. 

“We have been working closely with our industry partners to bring our food story to the whole island of Ireland and offer a compelling programme of authentic food and drink experiences to encourage visitors to come to our region. We are delighted to support this fabulous food and drink festival and I would urge everyone to come along and taste the best our region has to offer.”

Exhibitors at this year’s festival include Whitewater Brewery, Jawbox Gin, Kilmeggan Cider, Shortcross Gin and Echlinville Gin, along with local food producers including Castlescreen Farm, Kelugos Mini-donuts, Bear Necessities, The Hatch and The Fancy Fox.

Michael Weston, General Manager of the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa, said, “Now in its third year, the food and drink festival has been established as a popular autumn event in Newcastle. This year we are delighted to introduce some fun for all the family as well as providing the opportunity to showcase some of the fantastic array of local food and drink producers and their offering.”

This year the festival will have fun for the whole family with pony rides, face painting and balloon modelling and the popular Street Food Stall will make its return, with a wide selection of local treats.

The festival runs from 1pm to 8pm on Saturday 14 September with an entry fee of £5. For further information, call the Slieve Donard Resort on 028 4372 1066.

For further details on this event and other experiences happening for Taste the Island visit www.visitmournemountains.co.uk   

Caption: Kevin Keenan, Restaurant Manager, Slieve Donard Resort and Spa; Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey; Martin Robb, Resort Bars Manager, Slieve Donard Resort and Spa, Richard Taylor, Deputy General Manager, Slieve Donard Resort and Spa.