Easter Saturday I attended the Galway Food Festival. The festival showcases the best in Irish produce and it just celebrated its 5th year. This year’s theme was 100 Years of Irish Food. I was really looking forward to this festival and it was my first time going. The festival ran from 24th-28th March and the programme was chockablock with workshops, tours and demonstrations stretched out over the five days and of course there were three designated areas dotted throughout the city for food stalls.
The day started off with a coffee workshop by Badger & Dodo run by Aussie, Brock Lewin and his father-in-law. They’re third-wave artisan coffee roasters based in Fermoy, Co. Cork with a café in Galway City. The story behind the name is a clever one. Brock is Badger of Badger & Dodo, as broc is Irish for badger and his father-in-law is Dodo, which was a childhood nickname of his 😊
When I arrived for the workshop, I was glad to see a nice size group waiting as well. Brock began by introducing himself, the work he does, and how the business was set up. His baristas were hard at work whipping up an espresso tonic for everyone. I know what you’re thinking because I thought the same, how is cold espresso and tonic water going to work?! But it did and it was delicious!
The second drink to be sampled was a cold brew coffee. But isn’t that just the same as an iced coffee? Actually no, there is a difference between cold brew coffee and iced coffee. With iced coffee you brew the coffee with hot water and let it cool down. Cold brew coffee you brew the coffee with cold water. The cold brew was nice but I enjoyed the espresso tonic more.
The third sample was a coffee based dessert called coffee granita. The coffee is brewed and cooled in such a way that the coffee crystallises and then it’s topped with crushed amoretti biscuits and cream. This was delicious and light and I devoured it in seconds. Me and my sweet tooth 😊 The workshop ended with pastries and a bag of coffee and a tote bag with the Badger & Dodo logo on it to take home.
Next on my itinerary was a food tour around the city. Sheena was our tour guide for an hour or so and we kicked off the tour with an amazing scone from Griffin’s Bakery. Griffin’s Bakery is situated on Shop Street and is an award-winning artisan bakery, established in 1876. It was a good thing I didn’t eat breakfast that morning, with all the food I was about to eat ☺
Next stop on the tour was the Galway Market, which is a permanent fixture in the city, near St. Nicholas’s Church. We passed by The Bean Tree to sample their famous madras pea and potato curry. The Bean Tree is a vegetarian, family run business and they’ve had a spot at the market for 20 years. The curry was really warming and perfect food for a rainy day walking around the city.
We then moved onto Sheridan’s Cheesemongers. Sheridan’s is run by brothers Kevin and Seamus. It was established in 1995 and they started off selling Irish cheeses and soon expanded into European cheeses. We sampled their goat’s cheese and a type of cheese with cummin. I have to admit I’m not a big fan of cheese unless it’s melted on a pizza or as a cheese toastie. However, I did enjoy these cheeses. The goat’s cheese was creamy and there was peppery kick to the cheese with cummin.
Passing the oyster stall, we were greeted by Michael Brown. He gets his oysters from Clarenbridge and if you remember my must go to festivals post, Clarenbridge is famous for their oyster festival. We were told that the longer the oysters are left the chewier the meat is and stronger the taste. And seemingly oysters can change genders. Who knew! None of us were brave enough to taste the oysters, apart from Sheena of course ☺
We got very excited when Sheena told us the next stop was doughnuts. We were like giddy school girls ☺ Boychik Donuts is run by Danny a native New Yorker. If it is one thing that New York does well it’s doughnuts. I have never tasted doughnuts like these in my life! You have a choice of plain sugar or a sprinkle of cocoa or cinnamon. It was lovely to have a taste of New York in the heart of Galway City. I will definitely be returning to this stall.
We had more sweet treats in store with Le Petit Delice on Mainguard Street. It’s a little bit of Paris in Galway run by Alex and Frederic since 2010. We picked up our strawberry tartlettes to be eaten in Tigh Neachtain.
Tigh Neachtain, established in 1894, is one of THE places to go to in Galway for craft beer and live music. Situated on Cross Street; it was once the home of Richard Martin, a prominent animal rights activist. We sat down at the back of the pub to taste our tartlettes and wash them down with a half-pint of Galway Hooker ale. I don’t drink beer, I’m more of a cider and alco-pop type of girl, but I really enjoyed this it. It was light and smooth.
I was so happy to see that we were heading towards Cupán Tae, my favourite place to eat in Galway. I’ve been to Cupán Tae many times and they never disappoint. They have a wonderful menu of savoury meals for breakfast and lunch, a mouthwatering selection of cakes (their courgette and lime cake is just to die for!) and the piece de resistance…their menu of black, white and green teas (I dare you not to love their Earl Grey Blue Flower tea!). They base their food menu by what’s in season and source their food locally. You can check their menu on the website and buy tea from their online shop.
Onwards to the food village, by the Spanish Arch and to Wa Cafe’s stall. Wa Cafe is a Japanese cafe and restaurant, situated on the New Dock Road and has a stall at the Galway Market every Saturday and Sunday. Owner Yoshimi is extremely passionate about Japanese food and sushi. To gently introduce people to sushi who have never tasted it before, she uses turnip instead of fish. It’s to get those used to the taste and texture. She had some prepared for us to sample. All I can say that it was delicious!
Last stop on the tour was Kai Cafe & Restaurant. Situated on the Sea Road, it’s run by couple, David and Jessica. They pride themselves on using fresh, local produce and you know the sign of an excellent cafe or restaurant is when there’s a queue of people out the door waiting to be seated. We sampled an amazing pear and goat’s cheese lentil paté.
After the tour, I went back around to the places Sheena took us to so I could get photos for this post. I took a stroll back to the food village near the Spanish Arch to check out more of the food stalls. There was so much delicious food to sample and fine products to buy. It was wonderful to see local businesses working together – The Dough Bros, Cong Food Village, BiteClub, The King’s Head- selling their food and products.
I tucked into a delicious Indian boxty from Boxty’s Load It. To explain to you what boxty is if you don’t know, it’s a traditional Irish potato pancake. Boxty’s Load It had three different fillings you could stuff your boxty with, Irish stew, Texan, and Indian. Afterwards I treated myself to a much needed mocha from Le Petit Delice as I got a voucher from Sheena.
Every hour on the hour there were demonstrations going on in the demo’s tent. I was holding out for the 4pm demo, Sweet Moments Of The 90s demonstrated by Brassiere on the Corner. I entered the tent feeling excited for the demo, when out pops JP McMahon from Aniar, with hay and a tray of lamb chops. Now don’t get me wrong, JP McMahon is a well-known and wonderful chef here in Ireland. However, cooking lamb isn’t what I attended the demo for.
I thought I might have got the time wrong so I checked the programme. No I got the time right. It can only assume that the demos were swapped. I have to admit I didn’t stay for the demo and I was a little disappointed but despite this I had a wonderful time and will definitely attend again. The highlight was definitely the food tour with Sheena. Sheena is trying to set the Galway Food Tours up on a full-time basis, so if you’re ever in Galway definitely take her food tour. Oh and don’t eat anything beforehand ☺
Have you been to the Galway Food Festival before? What are your favourite food festivals?
I love Galway and I love food. I should get myself here! I’m wondering what the espresso tonic is like? I’ve heard it’s becoming more popular. I’ll have to try to find one… not easy in Ethiopia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You should Hannah! It’s like coffee flavoured tonic water. I love the sensation of bubbles in my mouth but wasn’t sure about the taste of it before I tried it but once I did I loved it!
LikeLike
Great, informative post. Everything looks mouth-watering! I had no idea oysters could change genders. I wonder why that is. I have to get to Ireland one of these days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Rebecca! You’ll always be welcomed 😊
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing! Galway is the number one Irish city I would like to visit that I haven’t been to yet. The food sounds amazing, and I especially want to try Boychik Doughnuts and an Indian boxty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s something about this city because there are still remnants left from medieval times; also it’s compact; you’re in the city centre but a 5 minute walk and you have a beautiful view of Galway Bay; 20 minute walk and you’re at promenade of Salthill.
LikeLike
You had me at food festival, sold me at coffee and then went on for more great food!! Cheese, oysters, I can’t even… and then craft beer. This is going on the must list. What a fun and wonderful time and something I would truly enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you enjoyed reading my post Tonya. Even though the food festival is on once a year, Sheena’s food tour is on all year round 😊
LikeLike
What a full day! As a Texan, I’m interested in what a “Texan” boxty consisted of.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was roast chicken in a bbq sauce with crispy onions 😊
LikeLike
You are lucky to have opportunity to attend such a festival. A lot of details have been narrated but I believe it is not all; there are more excited things you might think of other topics for other posts. I will plan ro have some of these experience for my blog. Thanks.
LikeLike
I was very lucky indeed to have had the opportunity to attend the festival. Thank you for your comment.
LikeLike
I am so curious about the coffee! I’ve never had cold brew and never knew there was a distinction – great to know!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not a fan of iced coffees anyway but the cold brew was quite nice. I had never heard of cold brew before the workshop.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will have to keep that in mind next time in Ireland!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful variety of food and activities! I hear great things about Irish festivals and after reading this I know better why. I would have loved to try the Espresso tonic, such an interesting idea. Definitely on my list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have so many festivals Mar! Food, music, literary, film, theatre, dance, comedy, walking, arts. The list is endless ☺ Oh the espresso tonic was delicious!
LikeLike
It’s the first time I hear about this event, thanks for sharing!
Oyster can change their gender? How come?
LikeLiked by 1 person
He didn’t actually say. They have both reproductive organs and they usually start off being male and then become female.
LikeLike
What an interesting food festival! Since Im a coffee lover, Im particular to the coffee workshop! How fun to taste diff types of coffee.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was fun! And something different to do 😊
LikeLike
Interesting guide! I did attend a coffee workshop as well before and it was a cool experience. I love the smell and the cupping time. Food in Ireland looks amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah I’m not much of a coffee drinker but I thought it would be fun to attend and I really enjoyed myself. I had most of the food eaten before I realised I should have been taking photos as well 😊
LikeLike
I’ve always wanted to do a food tour of the city. Though I can get infatuated with places, and may have never made it beyond the first bakery or the cheesemongers. 🙂 Everything looks so tasty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Galway and I’m so lucky I’m not far from it. I hope to take the historical walking tour soon. I had most of the food eaten before I realised I was supposed to be taking pictures.
LikeLike
I’ve never heard of the coffee tonic and I am a huge coffee fan. I will be on the lookout for it now. Sounds like a great day. I am pinning for future reference.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not a coffee person so I was pleasantly surprised how delicious the espresso tonic was. It was a great day 😊
LikeLike
That all looks like a lot of fun especially the coffee workshop by Badger & Dodo. I’m obsessed with espresso and would love to try that coffee granita!
LikeLike
I’ve seen some recipes for coffee granita, I hope to make it myself ☺
LikeLike
I would love to do the food tour and try the boxty! And who knew that oysters could change gender!! Interesting detail. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The food tour is all year round so you don’t have to wait until the festival. Yes I thought the oysters changing genders was very interesting!
LikeLike