Dead Centre Brewing in the heart of Athlone town centre provided the atmospheric backdrop for ‘Taste the Island’, a Failte Ireland hosted series of workshops initiative aimed at developing a strong programme of food and drink experiences.
Businesses and individuals from Athlone and the Midlands regions who were in attendance at the event were provided with an opportunity to gain relevant knowledge and shape the development of the programme.
Commenting on the ‘Taste the Island’ initiative, Liam Tutty, Dead Centre Brewing, remarked, “Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands has an astonishing array of exceptional food and drinks producers as well as outlets and experiences that support them. We know that the passion poured into our food and drink makes us stand out and it’s important we share that passion with the rest of the world.”
Globally, Ireland is known as a nation with a vibrant culture with green fields and pristine waters together with a mild wet climate which gives us bountiful, sustainable and high-quality food produce. To enhance this reputation and to secure a greater reputation for Ireland in 2020 and beyond, a new all-island initiative – ‘Taste the Island – a celebration of Ireland’s food and drink’ has been developed by Fáilte Ireland, in collaboration with Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and a range of stakeholders.
The new initiative, ‘ Taste the Island’, will showcase Ireland’s world-class food and drink culture across the island of Ireland from September to November by providing visitors with access to authentic food and drink experiences, high quality local ingredients and world class Irish food and drink produce.
In 2018, food and drink consumption accounted for around €2.6bn, or 35 percent of visitor spend and this expensive programme will seek to create an awareness and renewed appreciation at home and abroad of the strength and richness of Ireland’s food culture today.
