And don’t forget Ulster FRYday on January 29!

Tourism Northern Ireland is kicking off the Year of Food and Drink 2016 how everyone in NI should start their day, with breakfast.

January 2016 is Breakfast Month and according to Tourism NI, Northern Ireland is simply brimming with great places, including hotels, B&Bs, cafes and restaurants, that all serve delicious, locally produced food that will satisfy your taste buds and set you up for a fun day trip or relaxing short break to one of NI’s great tourist attractions or destinations.

Rachel Quigg, Communications & Destination PR Officer at Tourism Northern Ireland explains why everyone should tuck in to Breakfast Month:

“Northern Ireland’s dedicated farmers, talented food producers and creative artisans have been using our unique fields, rivers and lakes to make world-class food, for centuries.  And breakfast, hailed as the most important meal of the day, features some of NI’s finest produce including Abernethy Butter which is churned by hand in Dromara, Annaghmore Mushrooms, Kennedy bacon, White’s Oats – I could go on!”

Breakfast lovers take note as January 29 is Ulster FRYday and Tourism NI wants everyone in Northern Ireland to send in photos of themselves enjoying breakfast.

Rachel continued:  “We want to end Breakfast Month on a high with a delicious celebration of Northern Ireland favourite, the Ulster Fry with Ulster FRYday.  We will be asking absolutely everyone, businesses as well as individuals, to post photos online of their breakfast using hashtag #ulsterFRYday, in order to win a great prize.  So tell your friends, work colleagues, schoolmates and family to take a snap of their breakfast and share it on social media to join in the fun.”

Tourism Northern Ireland has listed some of the key events happening around Northern Ireland for Breakfast Month as well as some local delicious products to try.

Tasty Events!

Farmhouse Breakfast Week, January 24 – 30 2016. The Farmhouse Breakfast Week campaign raises awareness of the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast and demonstrates the wealth of wonderful breakfast produce available around the country.

Ulster FRYday, January 29 2016. This day is a celebration of the much-loved Ulster Fry!  Everyone has their own take on the Ulster Fry – some people love beans whilst others must have mushrooms, fried egg versus scrambled egg – so this is a chance for individuals and business owners to upload pictures of how they enjoy their Ulster Fry.  So whether you cooked it yourself or you have been served it at a hotel, B&B, restaurant or café, take a snap and share it online using the hashtag #ulsterFRYday and include @DiscoverNI.

Breakfast at Hastings Hotels – Hastings are offering gourmet all day breakfasts at each of their 6 hotels throughout January.  Guests can already avail of a choice of tasty breakfast options but Hastings Hotels is taking this one step further and for one month only people will be able to enjoy breakfast all day long. Two Gourmet All Day Breakfast Specials have been introduced and are available for only £10 every day from 12pm. Made using only the very best of local produce, enjoy the Armagh Apple Potato Cake with a Gracehill Black Pudding Sausage, Moyallon Dry Cured Streaky Bacon, Clements Poached Egg and Homemade Ketchup or a Mini Northern Irish Soda Bread with Poached Egg, Glenarm Smoked Salmon and Hollandaise Sauce.

Winterfell B&B, The Cuan, Strangford Village, Co Down. The Cuan is offering an authentic Winterfell breakfast of hot bread, butter and honey, blackberry preserves, bacon, eggs, cheese and a pot of mint tea. Enjoy Dinner, B&B from only £84.95.

The Big Breakfast at the Elk, The Elk, Toome, Co. Antrim, January 30, 8am – 12pm. As part of NI Year of Food and Drink 2016, The Elk are holding a Big Breakfast where people can come along and enjoy a delicious freshly prepared and locally sourced breakfast and in return they will be asked to give a small donation to Chest Heart and Stroke NI.

Where to eat breakfast?

If you are thinking of taking a short break or heading out for breakfast with friends and family somewhere in Northern Ireland during Breakfast Month then take a look as this menu which features some excellent places where you can tuck into a hearty breakfast in beautiful surroundings.

If you are heading to Co. Antrim home of the stunning Causeway Coast, visit Ballygally Castle, Ballygally, Beechmount Farm B&B, Muckamore or pop into The French Rooms in Bushmills who all serve delicious breakfasts.

When in Co. Armagh, which is known for its historic cathedrals, try the Armagh City Hotel, Orchard House B&B or the Moody Boar for some memorable food to help kick start your day.

Co. Down is renowned for stunning mountainous views and is home to a host of tasty places for breakfast including the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa in Newcastle, Seaview Guesthouse in Rostrevor and Quails at the Gallery in Banbridge.

If you are heading to Co. Fermanagh for a weekend break then you are sure to experience a delicious breakfast in the Lough Erne Resort, Enniskillen, Dromard House, Lisbellaw or the Crowes Nest Enniskillen.

Before exploring some of the many attractions available in Co. Derry~Londonderry such as the Peace Bridge or the historic City Walls, enjoy a hearty breakfast in the Everglades Hotel, Number 8 Guesthouse, City of Derry Hotel or Lost and Found Brew Bar, Coleraine.

Visitors to Co. Tyrone will find a wide range of tourist attractions to visit such as the Ulster American Folk Park and the Sperrin Mountains. You will also find lots of places to enjoy breakfast such as Corick Country House in Clogher, The Laurels B&B Lodge, Omagh and An Creagan Restaurant, Omagh.

Don’t forget to celebrate Ulster FRYday on January 29, for your chance to win an overnight stay at the spectacular 5* Culloden Hotel and Spa for two, including a sumptuous breakfast.  To enter simply share a photo of your Ulster Fry and upload it on social media using the hashtag #ulsterFRYday. For more information go to www.discovernorthernireland.com/ulsterfryday.

For more information on things to do in Northern Ireland visit www.discovernorthernireland.com or your local tourist information centre.