Organisers of the Athlone River Festival and Food Village have revealed details of what people can look forward to during the upcoming event, set to take place from Friday, September 9 to Sunday, September 11.
The River Festival programme will celebrate the River Shannon’s connection with Athlone with a host of river-based events including the thrilling raft race, a boat illumination show, fly boarding, rowing and dragon boat racing, river swims, angling for adults and children, a sub aqua demonstration, and a magnificent Viking boat display. The event promises to entice families, foodies, and fun-seekers during an action-packed weekend.
The official launch of the festival on Friday, September 9, will see a traditional Guinness and oysters served riverside at Athlone Castle to the cool tunes of jazz on the river. Fancy wood-fired pizza and beer instead? Chef Cathal Moran of The Villager Restaurant will be cooking pizza on Friday evening also.
On Saturday, September 10, at 6.30pm there will be a medieval hog roast in action, sponsored by Oliver Carty Meats. This will take place directly after the ‘Viking versus children battle’ in the Athlone Castle car park. The hog roast will include a pig on a spit, pulled pork sandwiches, and pork sausages from the grill, all served with delicious coleslaw and fresh salads. Music will follow with John Spillane headlining the entertainment on Saturday night from 8.30pm. Entry is free.
Sunday will be the highlight for foodies with the ‘Taste of the Midlands’ food village showcasing the best of the Midlands and the west. Restaurants in attendance will include Kin Khao Thai Restaurant, Thyme, The Fatted Calf, The Villager, Lott & Co, The Bastion Kitchen, and Il Colosseo.
The food village will also host a range of local producers and growers including Richmount Cordials, Marty’s Mussels, Drummond Garlic Farmers, Horan’s Pork Butchers, Gillivan’s Meats, Greene’s Fresh Falafal, and Wild Irish Foragers. The ‘Festival Demo Kitchen’ will also take place on Sunday with some of the best chef talent in the Midlands giving demonstrations.
Renowned Michelin chef, J.P McMahon of Aniar, Cava Spanish Restaurant & Eat Gastropub in Galway, will cook a surprise dish. This will be followed by ‘The Boxer, The Butcher & The Artiste’ event. Athlone’s John Coffey, chef/proprietor of Thyme Restaurant, will go head-to-head with Independent Deputy, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, also a formally trained chef. With lamb supplied by Gillivans, it will be a battle of wills and creativity to see whose dish the audience prefers.
Find Athlone River Festival & Food Village on Facebook for more information and to keep up-to-date on event details. Visit www.athlone.ie/visit/river-festival-food-village/ or call (085 ) 7389448.
