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reland's green pastures, dramatic mountains and rugged, unspoilt coasts not only make for a stunning holiday destination, they've also shaped the quality and flavour of its produce. From fresh-off-the-boat seafood -- including wild salmon -- and exceptional beef and lamb, to artisan cheeses and creamy butter, the island has an exceptional natural pantry.

It's no surprise, then, that the island of Ireland is fast becoming one of the most talked-about culinary destinations in Europe. Head there in the autumn months and you'll find yourself sipping hot toddies and slurping steaming bowls of chowder while chatting to locals against a backdrop of live music. You'll also get the chance to experience Ireland's celebration of its food and drink during the Taste the Island festivities.

Taste the Island

Food experiences

Ireland's Michelin star count is on the rise, with 16 restaurants awarded this prestigious accolade in 2019. Old favourites L'Ecrivain, Chapter One and Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud (the only 2-star restaurant on the island) continue to make their mark on the Dublin food scene, while relative newcomer Ox (Belfast) is being heralded for its affordable fine-dining formula, alongside the cosy Wild Honey Inn (close to the Wild Atlantic Way), with its pub-grub menu that puts a French twist on seasonal local ingredients. But it's not just the top-tier establishments that are garnering praise – the island's also packed full of inexpensive alternatives and authentic experiences, whether it’s traditional afternoon tea at a family-run tearoom, a hearty bucket of mussels in front of a roaring pub fire, or fish and chips eaten straight from the paper as you stroll along the beach.

Dining

Experiences

or those not content with simply wining and dining their way across the island, there are plenty of unique experiences that will immerse you in the country's culinary culture. Sharpen up your Irish cooking skills with classes on oyster shucking and Irish coffee making, or head to Ballyknocken Cookery School just outside Dublin for hands-on lessons in bread making, preserves and more.

Getting outside and experiencing Ireland's landscapes is another fantastic way to find out more about the island's burgeoning food scene. Why not try your hand at catching and cooking your own seafood supper on a fishing trip, getting your hands dirty on a working farm, foraging in rural woodlands for fresh mushrooms and herbs, or even taking to the waters on a seaweed kayaking tour?

Festivals

One bite at a time

Dining

Food markets

Some of the freshest food on the island is found at the big cities' food markets and local farmers' markets. They're also a fantastic way to get a taste of community life, while discovering traditional ingredients and artisan street food. Our favourites are Cork's English Market, where many of the best local restaurants source their staples, and St George's Market in Belfast, held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Not only does this indoor Victorian market have the largest selection of fresh fish stalls on the island of Ireland, it's also home to Stock Kitchen & Bar -- get up early to taste its modern take on a Northern Irish breakfast, with its dangerously addictive potato farls.

Food markets

Distilleries

Ireland has a history of brewing beer dating back 5,000 years, and a trip to Dublin wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Guinness Storehouse and the Gravity Bar, which has 360-degree views of the city. But there are also a whole host of more intimate micro-breweries popping up all over. Head to the Hilden Brewery -- the oldest independent brewery in the country -- in Lisburn to taste over 35 beers and ciders, cosy up with a comforting pint of Coffee and Oatmeal Stout during a winter visit to the Dungarvan Brewing Company, or try the World Beer Award-winning beverages of Franciscan Well Brew Pub, built on the site of an old monastery in Cork -- the waters from the monastery well are said to have healing powers.

Distilleries

Johnstown Castle in Ireland's Ancient East will be rolling out the red carpet for nature's superstars with its Festival of Honey. Celebrate the native Irish black bee with herbs, soft fruits and picked flowers from the castle's walled gardens (all pollinated by the bees) and a variety of workshops on subjects such as growing your own produce and protecting our fragile ecosystem.

ith the food scene in Ireland at an all-time high, innovative artisan producers and world-class chefs are joining forces all around the island to showcase the best cuisine the country has to offer. The Taste the Island celebration of Ireland's food and drink encompasses food festivals, workshops, tours and more from September-November.

We've pulled out some of our favourite events from Ireland's exciting Taste the Island calendar. And don't forget, there are plenty more events happening throughout the year as well.

https://www.ireland.com/en-gb/what-is-available/food-and-drink/articles/taste-the-island/

Johnstown Castle Festival of Honey

All four corners of Ireland have staked a claim in the whiskey revolution, and each has developed its own unique personality. Even whiskey novices will be familiar with the name Jameson (you'll find distilleries in both Dublin and Cork), but travel further afield to savour the golden nectar of Bushmills (on the Causeway Coastal Route) -- one of the few producers in the world to distil, blend and bottle under the same roof – and Dingle Distillery, which pairs its produce with spectacular Atlantic Ocean views.

And the craft gin scene is hot on the tails of the whiskey distilleries, with the country's natural larder providing unique flavours -- think the seaweed undertones of An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin and Northern Ireland's award-winning Shortcross Gin; the husband-and-wife team behind the brand only use botanicals they've foraged grown in their own garden. You can also try a gin crawl around Castlebar in County Mayo -- its curated trail through 15 local pubs means you can sample an impressive selection.

28-29 September

Johnstown Castle Festival of Honey

28-29 September

Galway Oyster Festival

27-29 September

This 3-day festival is an annual extravaganza, with live music, cooking (and shucking) demonstrations, a masquerade ball, and plenty of opportunities to sample plump oysters straight from their shells. Just don't forget the weekend's crowning glory: the World Oyster Opening Championship on Saturday, 28 September.

Applefest Clonmel

26-29 September

Landlocked County Tipperary is at the centre of Ireland's apple-growing industry, so there's no better place to celebrate the art of cider making than at Clonmel's Applefest, which combines culture and heritage exhibitions, healthy-living workshops and arts and crafts projects with the humble apple.

Galway Oyster Festival

27-29 September

Applefest Clonmel

26-29 September

Donegal Feast at Mount Errigal

27 September-6 October

Dingle Food Festival

4-6 October

Savour Kilkenny

24-28 October

Donegal Feast at Mount Errigal

27 September-6 October

Tuck into a banquet dinner at the foot of County Donegal's highest peak, Mount Errigal, as part of a 10-day celebration of the region's diverse offerings. The event will take place on 30 September and will be hosted by Chris Molloy, of the acclaimed Lemon Tree Restaurant in Letterkenny, and a team of local chefs.

Dingle Food Festival

4-6 October

Dingle, on the Wild Atlantic Way, is home to some of the country's best seafood and ice cream, so you can bet its local food festival is a winner. Follow its Taste Trail circuit of 70 vendors around the peninsula, and make seafood chowder, Derry Clarke’s Dingle Pie and Murphy's sea-salt ice cream sandwich your priorities.

Savour Kilkenny

24-28 October

Named best Foodie Destination 2018 by the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Kilkenny brings a star-studded line up to its festival's main stage, from celeb chef Paul Flynn to pageant-queen-turned-body-positive-model and cookbook author Roz Purcell.

Johnstown Castle Festival of Honey

28-29 September

Galway Oyster Festival

28-29 September

Applefest Clonmel

27-29 SEPTEMBER

Donegal Feast at Mount Errigal

26-29 SEPTEMBER

Dingle Food Festival

27 SEPTEMBER-6 OCTOBER

Savour Kilkenny

4-6 OCTOBER

Win a 2-night gourmet break to Donegal

he prize includes a 2-night stay at Harvey's Point, on the banks of Lough Eske, with daily breakfast, one 4-course dinner at the 2-AA-Rosette restaurant and flights from the UK. Enter below for a chance to win. Your email address will only be used if you win, in order to contact you.

"the island of Ireland is fast becoming one of the most talked-about culinary destinations in Europe"

One bite at a time

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