Waterford Festival of Food (formerly called West Waterford Festival of Food) will take place this year from Friday 19th April to Sunday 21st April 2024. So save the date as food lovers from across Ireland descend upon the scenic seaside town of Dungarvan and beyond.
The 2024 Festival Programme will be announced in the next few weeks with tickets going on sale on March 12th. This year’s festival is all about reconnecting people with food.
Plans are already well underway for events which tell the story of this vibrant food region, its food champions, passionate producers, tastes, and traditions over the course of the 3 day food festival.
You can expect pop-up dinners from visiting chefs, food tours, storytelling, a full children’s programme, guided foraging both land and sea, farm visits, live cooking demos in atypical locations, music, dancing , live bands and one of Ireland’s largest outdoor markets. This festival is very much centered on locality, regionality and personality and how those elements connect us back with food!
While you’re there, make sure you try some local favourites – Comeragh Mountain lamb, Waterford Blaa, Hake and Ling from Helvic, Newbard Farm Pork, Dun Sourdough, Irish Gourmet Butter, Flahavan’s Porridge and some of Dungarvans famous chips!
Now in its 15th year, the Waterford Festival of Food is a well established crowd pleaser which is an annual highlight for locals and visitors alike. The main hub for the event is in the scenic harbour town of Dungarvan with events also taking place in nearby Lismore Castle, Mt Congreve gardens and throughout the West Waterford region, making it a truly local celebration.
The region welcomes people from all over Ireland and beyond in particular the Dungarvan diaspora as people living, working or studying away make the journey home for the unmissable festival weekend.
The Waterford Festival of Food markets takes place on both Saturday and Sunday 20th and 21st of April and are a huge draw with up to 100 colourful and appealing stalls inviting festival goers to graze their way around the bustling town square,along the quayside and towards Dungarvan Castle. This is the perfect excuse to stock up on fresh, local produce, artisan baking, Irish and international cuisine or eat out while soaking up the music and atmosphere. The blend of sights, sounds and smells from these diverse markets is a treat for the senses, with plenty of food stalls for everyone to sample something delicious, and the well-spaced layout means the flow of people, though bustling, is at a relaxed and family friendly place.
Commenting about the festival, Eunice Power said, “Our intention in 2024 is that our festival is inclusive and accessible. We want to ensure that the local people who grow, produce, cook and sell food all have a name and a face and a presence. Acknowledging the important part food plays in all our lives is at the heart of this festival. Apart from the practical uses, many of our experiential senses are deeply connected with food that can be really healing and crucially important to local networks and relationships. We will endeavour to build these connections through many different avenues, farm visits, cookery demonstrations, kitchen table talks, pop up dinners, walking tours and visits to producers. Our children’s program is ever expanding with new events including X35 Pizza Making, Bug hotel workshop, puppet theatre, Cool Food School. We are delighted to welcome back Aisling Larkin and the Lámh Team this year for the hugely popular Lámh Cookery demo and look forward to giving a great Dungarvan welcome to Niamh Condon from Dining with Dignity. Our festival is unique in its deep rooted connections in the community which I believe is the secret of its success.’
