Celtic Taste of Carlow returns to Potato Market

Celtic Taste of Carlow returns to Potato Market

taste of carlow front

Taste returns to Potato Market and Kennedy Avenue, Carlow town on Friday and Saturday of this week (April 1st and 2nd) as part of the International Pan Celtic Festival. This dedicated craft and food fair will feature in excess of 40 producers drawn from all over the country, a craft beer marquee, food demonstrations and a dedicated children’s programme which includes face painting, make and do, storytelling and vintage carousel rides.

With great choice for visitors from Donegal tweed caps, jackets and apparel to candles, knitwear, hand-made Viking and knights’ memorabilia, hand-made and costume jewellery and wooden chopping boards, the craft fair is guaranteed to appeal to anybody seeking a special gift or those who just want to browse and soak in the atmosphere of the festival.

On the food front expect to whet your appetite with everything from steak and pork burgers to traditional home baking, delicious crepes, jams, chutneys, juices, spelt baking, organic vegetables and a choice of cheeses including Ireland’s Supreme Champion, Mount Leinster Cheddar.

Visitors can enjoy some of the marvellous variety of craft beers available in the Carlow area including O’ Hara’s and Falling Apple Cider, both from Carlow Brewing Company, 12 Acres from nearby Killeshin in County Laois, Costellos from Kilkenny and Trouble Brewing from Kildare. Speaking of the event, Seamus O’ Hara of Carlow Brewing Company stated “The availability of craft beers will be a wonderful addition to the Taste festival and gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy a number of local brews in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. With an endless supply of music of offer from our Celtic neighbours and huge variety in the food stands, the craft beer marquee is guaranteed to be a highlight of this year’s Taste. There will also be tasting competitions comparing our own brews with those of Scotland, the Isle of Man, Cornwall and Brittany so we expect some serious competition!”.

The food demonstration marquee which starts at 12 noon each day promises varied presentations from Imelda Byrne of RTE’s ICA Bootcamp and Edward Hayden of TV3 -  who are an informative and very entertaining duo - to butter making traditional style, scones and bread making and cheese making by Tom Burgess, winner of the Irish Supreme Champion Cheese Maker Award. Featuring a fully equipped kitchen and lots of tastings for attendees, each food demonstration takes approximately one hour.

 For the younger there is lots of fun entertainment throughout the day with face painting, storytelling, make and do and vintage carousel rides.

 Speaking on behalf of Carlow Tourism, who are organising Taste in conjunction with the International Pan Celtic Festival, Cllr. John Murphy stated, “Visitors to the fair will be guaranteed both excellent shopping and a very special atmosphere with a wide range of activities on both days. The Carmarthen Symphonic Wind Band from Wales which features over 50 musicians will open Taste in a very special way on Friday morning at 11 a.m.”.

Taste runs from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday and admission is free. For more information telephone 059-9131554 or visit www.carlowtourism.com A copy of the event programme including full details of all food demonstrations can be collected from Carlow Tourist Office, College Street or the Pan Celtic Festival Office at Potato Market.