Samhain Festival Of Food & Culture returns to Kells

The biggest names in Irish food and arts will gather in Kells from 7th-10th November this year for Samhain Festival of Food and Culture with Sheridans Irish Food Fair, to celebrate Ireland’s rich culinary heritage and vibrant food culture.

Throughout four feast-worthy days and three nights of arts, food, storytelling and gathering, the festival will explore our national relationship with food and drinks.

The eclectic and wide-ranging programme includes tastings, demonstrations, and debates covering all aspects of Irish and international food and drinks across the town’s most unique and characterful buildings.

The line-up features radio and TV presenter turned who has turned to regenerative farming George Lamb, tea historian Dr Detta Melia, journalist and TV presenter Philip Boucher Hayes, food historian and chef Dr. Mairtin Mac Conimaire, Guinness Archive and Heritage Manager, Eibhlin Colgan, food historian Max Jones, along with Fulbright scholar and drinks expert Susan Boyle, playwright Deirdre Kinahan and Waterboys musician, Steve Wickham.

Culinary broadcaster Ali Dunworth joins sustainability advocate Conor Spacey, with cookery giant Darina Allen, food educator Jacinta Dalton, food critics John and Sally McKenna, mixology expert Oisin Davis. Pastry innovator Graham Herterich aka The Cupcake Bloke, drinks consultant Judith Boyle, and sustainability chef Jess Murphy complete the impressive roster.

The Boyne Valley, recognised as one of the world’s best foodie destinations by National Geographic Traveller, is the birthplace of Samhain Festival. In Irish traditions, it marks the conclusion of the harvest season, when crops have been gathered and stored in preparation for the coming year.

Samhain Festival of Food and Culture with Sheridans Irish Food Fair continues this legacy of celebration, feasting from the harvest, and bringing communities together for music and storytelling. An annual favourite, on Saturday 9th, the Samhain Long Table Supper event will celebrate the best of Ireland’s food and drink producers exploring the theme of ‘Gathering’ with the very best of Irish seasonal fare telling the stories of the land, soil and sea .

The flagship festival of The Centre for Food Culture, Boyne Valley, Samhain Festival of Food and Culture with Sheridans Irish Food Fair continues to rapidly expand since being launched in 2018 by Discover Boyne Valley Flavours (food and drink producer network). This year 6,000 visitors are expected over the course of the weekend. With this year's inclusion of the long-standing Sheridan’s Irish Food Fair, visitors can sample produce from over 100 local food suppliers from apple brandy, Irish cream liqueur, blue goats’ cheese, Irish charcuterie to artisan chocolates.

“Ireland’s relationship with food and drinks continues to evolve, as we have seen this year with the expansion of hot school dinners; the sober curious cohort driving the launch of non-alcoholic spirits; growing awareness about gut health and an appreciation of the aesthetics of our meals through social media. The urge to reconnect with our food and heritage has never been so strong and this festival tackles that need,” said festival curator, hotelier and Kells Gin producer Olivia Duff. “

“We care where our food comes from, want to support our local farmers and producers with an interest in the old artisan ways. From avoiding phones at the dinner table, to carving out time to gather and share our meals in an increasingly hectic world - Samhain is not only a snapshot of Ireland’s food culture, but an immersive sensory celebration of it through cookery demonstrations, storytelling, cultural performance, workshops, farm visits, masterclasses, tasting events, long table suppers.” said Ella Ryan, Development Manager for Samhain organiser The Centre of Food Culture, Boyne Valley “This year’s programme will showcase, celebrate, share and preserve the many traditions and skills that make up our Irish food and culture to safeguard them for future generations.”

FULL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

THURSDAY 7th NOVEMBER

Oysters and stout are first on the menu for the free event to launch the festival on Thursday 7th November in Jacks Bar, accompanied by traditional music.

FRIDAY 8TH NOVEMBER

At the Courthouse, the Samhain Symposium: For the first time ever, food networks from around the country will gather to discuss the future of food; followed by a an evening of Food for the Soul featuring Ireland’s beloved artists, playwright Deirdre Kinahan and Waterboys musician Steve Wickham.

The Red Chapel will host a tasting event showcasing Irish cheeses and natural wines from Piedmonte, led by cheesemaker Kevin Sheridan and sommelier Enrico Fantasia.

The Samhain Literary Pub Crawl offers a literary journey told through Kells best pubs with Dr. Mairtin Mac Conimaire.

Playwright Deirdre Kinahan and musician Steve Wickham come together for an evening of performance and music, featuring scenes from Kinahan's award-winning plays The Saviour (Landmark Productions Ireland & New York 2023) and The Unmanageable Sisters (Abbey Theatre 2019). Audiences will also get an exclusive preview of her upcoming work, The Homecoming of Joseph Grace, with original music by Wickham. Supported by Meath County Council Arts Office.

SATURDAY 9th NOVEMBER

The Courthouse will host a panel on food and education in Feeding Knowledge with Conor Spacey, Michelle Darmody, Darina Allen, and Jacinta Dalton as MC.

Philip Boucher Hayes will give a talk on Agriculture Staying Alive at 1.5°C , examining how Ireland will feed itself in a changing climate.

George Lamb will presents his journey from BBC radio and TV presenter to farmer with Wildfarmed: Farming for the Future

Oisin Davis (author of Kitchen Cocktails) will present ‘Party in the Kitchen’ - An interactive and fun session showcasing the very best of local Irish drinks in a fun setting

Ali Dunworth will be in conversation with Eibhlin Colgan, Guinness Archive and Heritage Manager.

There will be a range of demonstrations for adults and children including Michelle Darmody, JP McMahon and Darina Allen

Boann Distillery will host Sip and Savour a curated Whiskey and Chocolate Tasting Session in collaboration with local artisan chocolatier Boho Nibz

The BookMarket will host Dr. Detta Melia’s Tea Party, offering a charming afternoon event discussing our national obsession with a cup of scald.

SUNDAY 10th NOVEMBER

A series of nearby events including Clonmellon Market, and Killua Castle

At the Vanilla Pod, the Disco Brunch will have festivalgoers grooving from noon.

At the Samhain Kitchen Stage, Sunday Sips will dive into Irish non-alcoholic drinks with Judith Boyle. The Sunday Roast will explore food and memories with Susan Boyle.

There’s plenty for kids to do, including demonstrations from The Cool Food School and other live demonstrations over the weekend. Tickets are now available online at https://foodcultureireland.ie/samhain/samhain-tickets/, ranging in price from free to €90 per person. Further events will be announced in the coming weeks,