Sheridan's food festival to celebrate all things Irish

Sheridan's Cheesemongers is hosting an Irish food festival this Sunday, 30th May, at their Virginia Road Station headquarters, with many of Ireland's finest producers in attendance. "An array of Ireland's top food producers will be here to sell, sample and talk about their wonderful foods," Kevin Sheridan of the family business said. "This is a really great opportunity to celebrate the wonderful artisan foods of Ireland and the people who produce them, now more than ever we need to recognise and celebrate this most valuable resource." Exhibitors include Irish farmhouse cheese producers such as Milleens, Cashel Blue, Coolea, Cooleeney, Bellingham Blue, Corleggy, Glebe Brethan, as well as other artisan producers such as Burren smokehouse, Gubbeen salamis, Burkes Ice Cream, Janet's Country Fare and Mella's Fudge. A variety of workshops will be held throughout the day, hosted by Brigitta Curtin of Burren Smokehouse, Sarah Grubb of Cashel Blue, Enrico Fantasia of Sheridan's Wine and Kevin Sheridan of Sheridan's Cheesemongers, along with a children's food workshop. Local chef Pauric White will be doing cooking demonstrations throughout the day. He is the chef-owner of the Forge Restaurant, next door to Sheridan's Cheesemongers. The Forge was recently awarded best restaurant in Meath by the RAI. Local farmer and craft butcher Jim Ryan will be cooking up some of the best of Meath's beef and lamb for all to taste. Face-painting and a clown to keep the children entertained when they are not tasting all the yummy food will also be on hand. The event will be held on the grounds of Sheridan's Cheesemongers' warehouse and offices in the townland of Pottlereagh on the Meath-Cavan border. The site was formerly the Virginia Road railway station. Sheridans received the Ellison Award from An Taisce for their work in renovating and conserving the old railway store. This large stone building now houses a retail shop displaying Sheridan's selection of cheeses, foods and wines. Sheridan's was founded in 1995 by brothers Seamus and Kevin Sheridan, when they started selling Irish farmhouse cheeses on the Galway market. It wasn't long before they opened their first shop, in Galway city centre. This first shop was radically different to anything seen in Ireland before; with cheeses piled from floor to ceiling in the temperature controlled environment. The Irish cheeses were joined by their European farmhouse cousins as well as olive oils, cured meats, honeys and many other artisan foods found during their travels in Europe. In 1997 the brothers were joined by a third partner, Fiona Corbett, and, together with other stall-holders, founded the Temple Bar market in Dublin city centre. Workshops are from 12 noon to 4pm. Places are limited, so contact Elisabeth Ryan on eryan@sheridanscheesemongers.com or phone (046) 924 5110 to reserve a free place.