The Lonely Planet has named Ireland as one of the Top 10 countries to visit in 2015 and Food is one of the reasons why!
Read all about the reasons why Ireland is number 5 for Best in Travel 2015 – experiences, topics and random facts http://www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel/countries/05-ireland?detail=1
THE Chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board has praised the organisers and sponsors of the Richhill Harvest Apple Fayre for creating an event which shows food tourism is increasingly important to our economic growth.
Dr Howard Hastings OBE, said the Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre which celebrates the Bramley Apple, allows the people of Armagh to unlock authentic stories about the county’s heritage, culture and traditions.
The event which will take place on Saturday (October 25) is an authentic celebration of Armagh’s distinctive local food and drink and celebrates the Armagh Bramley which achieved PGI status in 2012.
Speaking ahead of the event, Dr Hastings OBE said: “This event allows the people of Armagh and beyond to reconnect with our land and to celebrate what our land produces. The Bramley Apple has got PGI status for a reason and we have to enjoy our produce so full praise goes to the organisers and sponsors for making this fayre happen.
“Events like this allow us to unlock the stories of our land and also stories about the people who work on the land. Celebrating this gives us a huge sense of civic pride and boosts our self confidence as to what can be achieved. It also gives a message to the rest of the world that we are proud of who we are and what we can produce here in Northern Ireland.”
The fayre, which is sponsored by Irwin’s Bakery, Wilsons Country and Gilfresh, features cookery demonstrations, apple peeling contests, an Armagh Bramley apple tart competition, music from local school choirs, a hog roast and tea dance.
Brian Irwin, of Irwin’s Bakery, a bakery which has been part of the Portadown community since 1912, said: “As Dr Hastings has said, celebrating Co Armagh is very important. The Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre will be a fantastic fun day out for the family and is a great message to the rest of the world that we are proud of what we produce.”
Angus Wilson, started Wilsons Country from the family farm in 1980s, said: “To have an event in Co Armagh celebrating produce from Armagh, with people from Armagh, is fantastic. We are delighted to help showcase the fruits of our labour and be part of an event which we hope is the first of an annual event in our calendars.”
Thomas Gilpin, of Gilfresh, a family run company in Loughgall which was established over 50 years ago, said: “We are all local producers supporting each other and supporting our communities. We all have a close working relationship. It’s all about local businesses supporting local businesses and local events.”
The event is free to attend and runs from 10am-6pm.
CAPTION: From left, William Gilpin of Gilfresh, Hamilton Loney, chairman of the NI Fruit Growers Association, Brian Irwin, Irwin’s Bakery and Angus Wilson of Wilsons Country Foods.
Join us to find out how you can create positive change in your community!
FoodCloud is a new initiative which matches businesses with surplus food, to charities who can redistribute it to people in their local communities who would otherwise go without.
Join us for the official launch of FoodCloud to find out how you can get involved!
Date: Wednesday 22 October
Time: 11:00 am- 12:00 noon
Venue: City Church, 2-12 University Avenue, Belfast
How Does FoodCloud Work?
Via an app or webpage, businesses can post details of surplus food available, which sends a text message to charities in that area alerting them to the donation. Charities can accept the food by replying to the text message and arrange a collection within a specified time period.
FoodCloud provides the opportunity for businesses and charities to work together to solve the social and environmental problems associated with food waste and food poverty. It enables food businesses to contribute to their communities in a meaningful and practical way, reduce the cost of waste disposal and reduce their impact on the environment. It also reduces food costs of charitable organisations, allowing them to enhance their service offering.
Book Now!
For more information or to book your place, email carla.mcsorley@bitcni.org.uk or call (028) 9046 0606
Is there any end to the talents of Clogher Valley Meats in Tyrone?
They’ve just triumphed again at the European Sausage Awards held in Alencon in France. They have received a Grand Prix d’Honnuer for both their traditional pork sausage and their gourmet sausage. The presentation will take place in France in November. They are the only Food NI member to have won such a prestigious international award two years in a row.
They have also reached the final of the Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Retailer Awards for Butcher Shop of the year. The award ceremony is being held on Friday evening in Belfast.
If that weren’t enough, they are the Northern Ireland Finalist for the Butchers Shop of the Year, with the award ceremony being held in London next month.
Owner Kieran Meehan says “It’s been a fantastic year for us and it isn’t over yet”.
A whopping SEVEN out of the 11 Gold Award Winners from Northern Ireland at the prestigious Blas na h’Eireann Food Awards are members of Food NI.
The prize products announced in Dingle, Co Kerry were Molly’s Mulled Cider from the Armagh Cider Company, Tempted? Special Reserve Cider, Harnett’s Pure Rapeseed Oil, The Heatherlea in Bangor’s Rolled Oat Crisp Biscuits, Irwin’s Bakery Traditional Irish Barmbrack, Tamnagh Foods’ Maple Fruit and Nut Granola and Willowbrook Food’s Mediterranean Salad Bowl.
“This is a huge achievement and testament to the hard work of our producers whose talent is being recognised all over the world” said Food NI CEO Michele Shirlow.
The Blas na h’Eireann Awards are the biggest blind tasting of produce in Ireland.
RICHHILL will be a hive of activity later this month as locals will be welcoming artisan food and drink producers to the Village Square to celebrate the county’s famous apples.
The Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre, which will take place on October 25, is an authentic celebration of Armagh’s distinctive local food and drink and celebrates the Armagh Bramley which achieved PGI status in 2012.
Chefs, food and drink producers, people from the world of local arts and crafts will put on a spectacular display of Co Armagh charm which will celebrate the natural beauty of Armagh’s orchard country and Richhill’s built heritage.
Cllr Jim Speers joined Helen Troughton of Armagh Cider Company, Hamilton Loney, chairman of the Northern Ireland Fruit Growers Association, Assumpta O’Neill from Armagh City and District Council, Chef Mervyn Steenson from Groucho’s and Clive Gordon, chairman of the festival committee, to launch the event on Thursday. (October 2, 2014)
Cllr Speers said: “This event has all the hallmarks of what could become an annual celebration for the village of Richhill and the surrounding communities. It’s a community event whereby we can all enjoy a day which celebrates the Bramley Apple, our food and drink producers and their contribution to the overall economy.”
The event, which is sponsored by Irwins Bakery, Wilsons Country and Gilfresh, runs from 10am-6pm and will feature cookery demonstrations, apple peeling contests, an Armagh Bramley apple tart competition, music from local school choirs, a hog roast and tea dance.
Hamilton Loney said this year is shaping up to be a good harvest for Armagh Bramleys.
He said: “There is a lot to celebrate about the Armagh Bramley. Since it got PGI status we can celebrate the apple’s versatility and why it is known as the number one apple in the world. There are going to be plenty of apples this year and Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre is the perfect way to celebrate this.”
This celebration will also put Co Armagh on the map as a great place for ‘experiential tourism’.
Sara McGeary, Tourism Development Officer, Armagh City & District Council said: “Food tourism plays such an important part of the overall visitor experience for any destination. We are so fortunate here in Armagh that we have an abundance of delicious produce, including the Armagh Bramley, which was awarded PGI status in 2012. The Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre will undoubtedly be an incredible showcase for visitors wishing to sample our rich food heritage.”
Admission to the event is free and people can also pick up recipe books, learn about beekeeping and if you have apples in your garden but don’t know their identity, experts will be on hand to put a name to the apple.