The inaugural Bia Bundoran Food & Drink Festival has been hailed a massive success by attendees and organisers following the first staging of the event over the weekend.
More than 25 local food providers, restaurants, cafes and suppliers collaborated over the weekend to showcase the wide range of food and drink available in the seaside town which was promoted by Discover Bundoran.
The festival, which was part of the Taste The Island initiative from Failte Ireland was heavily promoted and embraced by the national tourism authority, food journalists and bloggers as well as celebrity chefs including Neven Magure, Gary O’Hanlon, Derry Clarke and Donegal’s own Chef Brian McDermott who performed the official opening of Bia Bundoran at a ceremony on Friday evening (20th September) in Madden’s Bridge Bar.
David Leonard with Brian McDermott
Failte Ireland’s David Leonard, Shane Smyth Discover Bundoran, Ernan McGettigan A Taste of Donegal and Barney McLaughlin Donegal Tourism
Bundoran Tourism Officer Shane Smyth who coordinated the event said “we couldn’t be happier with how the weekend went. It was out first year hosting it and we wanted to start small and get it right. We are indebted to all of the local providers who embraced the idea from the start and collaborated with us to make sure it was a success. I would like to thank them all for supporting the initiative and without wishing to single anyone out, a huge thanks to Brendan and Patrick at Donegal Brewing Company who created the Roguey Pale Ale for us to have as part of the festival.”
The ever accommodating host – James O’Doherty at the Chasin Bull serving up the Roguey Pale Ale
Shane Smyth Discover Bundoran, David Leonard Failte Ireland, Chef Brian McDermott Foyle Hotel and Brendan O’Reilly Donegal Brewing Company at the launch on Friday
Events like afternoon teas, gin tasting, wine tasting, talks on growing your own vegetables and a food & foto tour all contributed to the success of the weekend as well as wonderful special offers from trade partners the length of the town.
Get a sample of the events in the picture special below:
Deirdre Byrne of Sliabh Liag Distillery conducts the gin tasting session
Darren Rafferty of James Nicholson Wine Merchant hosting the wine tasting at Fitzgerald’s Bistro
Donegal’s food promoters gathered for the launch of Bia Bundoran
Cllr Tom Conaghan and Cllr Michael McMahon with Bundoran Tourism Officer Shane Smyth
The participants of the Food & Foto tour with tutor Megan Gallagher
Photographing some of the great food available across town during the Food and Foto tour
Sinead Fox at the Bistro on Friday night
Louise, Nuala and Elizabeth Kerr enjoying the wine tasting Friday night
Locals and visitors supporting the festival in foam
Forager Fred talks wild plants at his session on Saturday afternoon
The Bridge Bar’s Raymie Dawson dishing out the food at the launch
The genial host John O’Donnell at Fitzgerald’s Wine Tasting
David Leonard from Failte Ireland addresses the launch on Friday at Madden’s Bridge Bar
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