As part of the ‘Taste the Island’ initiative for the next 12 weeks DiscoverNorthernIreland.com will have the top three food experiences and events in their weekly 10 things to do listing. DiscoverNorthernIreland.com has stacks of fun things to do across NI, from family days out to gigs and cultural events. Here are ten exciting things taking place this week including three food experiences and events (16-22 September)
1. Armagh Food and Cider Festival, Armagh, 19-22 September. An international extravaganza featuring a huge spread of unmissable events in venues across the county. Festival visitors to the iconic city of Armagh and its surrounding fruit-laden orchards can expect to raise more than a glass to an incredible range of mouth-watering events.
2. Wee Buns – Preserve the Season , Dungannon, 20 September. Capture the essence of Autumn in this preserving class using foraged damsons, rose hips and blackberries from the local hedges and locally grown fruit. Learn about the fundamental techniques and skills of home preserving, make your own soda bread and take home a jar each of jam and pickles.
3. Gins and Poitins of the Mournes, Newry, 19 September. Brendan Carty of Killowen Distillery will host an evening dedicated at traditional bar, Crawfords, to the top quality craft gin and poitín he produces in the heart of the Mournes. Several sample drinks will be served, including cocktails and mixers. The final sample will be a Poitín Irish Coffee. Food will also be paired with each drink.
4. Art in the Orchard with Deborah Malcomson, Portadown, 21 September. Suitable for the complete beginner, budding or seasoned artists, this workshop will provide the opportunity for participants to apply their creative response to the surroundings – trees, apples and landscape. Deborah Malcomson, a professional visual artist will guide and support each participant through the process of exploring line, colour and form through a range of media.
5. Festival Lough Erne, Enniskillen, 21-22 September. The tranquil setting of Enniskillen Castle will see a hustle of families and foodie lovers sampling local produce and enjoying the tranquil setting of the River Erne. From live cookery demos with chefs and experts to entertainment on the bandstand, it’s set to be a fun weekend for all the family.
6. Mourne Mountain Marathon, Newcastle, 21-22 September. Ireland’s only two-day endurance and navigation event for teams of two. Enter one of four categories, covering between 35km and 55km over two days. Camp overnight and be self-sufficient. The Marathon is open to everyone from walkers to elite runners.
7. Culture Night and Day Belfast 2019, Belfast, 20-21 September. Over 200 free, family-friendly events across the city centre including gigs, talks, tours, walks, activities, screenings, workshops, children’s events and more.
8. Deep RiverRock Belfast City Half Marathon, Belfast, 22 September. Over 5,000 participants are expected to take part in the largest half marathon event in Northern Ireland. Entrants will take on the popular flat and fast 13.1 mile route, which weaves its way throughout the four corners of Belfast city.
9. Montalto Foraging Experience, Ballynahinch, 21 September. Take a walk with NI Survival School and be introduced to some of the most common plants and trees that inhabit our island and discover some of their secrets that make them useful to us in edible or medicinal ways. After the return to the woodland camp and enjoy making tea and a light lunch from the foraged species.
10. Kilkeel Walking Food Tour, Newry, 19 September. Enjoy a three-hour walking tour of Kilkeel, led by an enthusiastic and experienced local tour guide. The vast history of Kilkeel’s fishing and farming town is served up through fascinating facts and insightful stories whilst you enjoy some local delicacies.
For more information on these events or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit www.DiscoverNorthernIreland.com. For additional Taste the Island events, please visit www.discovernorthernireland.com/tastetheisland