Food festivals in Dublin worth planning a trip around, by month.
Food festivals in Dublin worth planning a trip around, by month.
A free entry Christmas market at the RDS in Ballsbridge with food and drink stalls, Bavarian style bars pouring mulled wine, a covered ice rink, fairground rides and live entertainment.
TipEntry costs nothing, but the ice rink is ticketed and busiest at weekends; skate on a weekday afternoon.
TwinkleTown fills Smithfield Square in Dublin 7 from 20 November to 31 December with a Christmas market, food and drink stalls, an ice rink and the Twinkle Tavern for winter warmers.
TipEntry is free, but ice skating and the Santo Panto are ticketed, so book those before you travel.
Gifted runs in the RDS main hall in Ballsbridge each December, pairing 400 craft and design makers with a Christmas Food Emporium of more than 100 Irish artisan food producers.
TipAdult tickets are €15 online, and everything bought on the opening Wednesday carries 10 percent off.
Dublin City Council's Lunar New Year programme spans about nine days across the city, with dumpling making classes, a Chinese banquet, in store tastings at Asia Market and carnival food stalls.
TipThe dumpling masterclasses and the banquet are ticketed separately and fill first; book them in January.
Ireland's national festival runs five days to 17 March, the parade leaving Parnell Square at noon, with food in the programme including the St Patrick's Long Table dinner in Stoneybatter.
TipThe parade starts at 12pm on 17 March; the Long Table sitting at L. Mulligan Grocer costs €55 and sells out early.
Dublin Coffee Festival at the RDS in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, an annual April weekend of specialty coffee with brewing competitions, latte art.
TipWeekend pass is the value; Friday evening adds an Industry session. The brewing competition runs Saturday.
Howth Maritime and Seafood Festival at Howth Harbour in Co Dublin, an annual free entry seafood festival with chef demos, oyster bar and boat tours.
TipFree entry; chef demos run on the West Pier stage. DART from Connolly Station; arrive 11:00 to beat the lunch queue.
Bord Bia Bloom takes over 70 acres of the Phoenix Park across the June bank holiday, with show gardens, a food hall of Irish producers, food trucks and daily chef demonstrations.
TipTickets start around €30; Thursday, the opening day, is the calmest of the five.
A ten day citywide wristband run by DublinTown: about 40 bars and restaurants, Bar 1661 and Fidelity among them, pour signature cocktails at €7 to €10 for wristband holders.
TipWristbands are sold online at about €18 and must be collected in person before your first drink.
Whiskey Live Dublin at the RDS in Ballsbridge, Ireland's premier whiskey festival, two days of distillery stands, masterclasses and rare-bottle pours in June.
TipGeneral admission and masterclass packages available; book masterclasses early as they sell out first.
Taste of Dublin on Merrion Square in Dublin, an annual June multi-cuisine open-air festival with chef demos, twenty Dublin restaurants and producer.
TipStandard entry from €19.50; the Häagen-Dazs VIP Suite at €52.50. Thursday afternoon is the calmest session.
Bloomsday Festival on 16 June in Dublin, the annual James Joyce Ulysses literary festival, with Edwardian breakfasts and the Gorgonzola sandwich at Davy.
TipDavy Byrnes serves the canonical Gorgonzola sandwich and Burgundy at lunch. James Joyce Centre runs the breakfast; book a week ahead.
Fingal's county show at Newbridge House and Farm in Donabate, north of the city, with a Fingal Food Circle producer village, hourly cookery demonstrations, livestock rings and horticulture tents.
TipEntry is free if you walk, cycle or take the train to Donabate; car parking has to be booked ahead.
Four days of live fire cooking in Herbert Park, Ballsbridge, where Irish and visiting pitmasters sell small plate barbecue from about €8, alongside craft beer bars and grilling demos.
TipFriday and Saturday usually sell out in advance, and the site is cashless, so bring a card.
Dalkey turns Castle Street into Cuisine de Dalkey for a weekend each August, with village kitchens serving lobster rolls, mussels, crab claws, oysters, chowder and fish and chips.
TipFree to attend and no ticket needed; the Tramyard stalls and the Town Hall craft fair run the same weekend.
Two ticketed sessions in the Ring Hall at the RDS in Ballsbridge, pouring more than 180 beers from 35 plus Irish and international breweries, with festival food stalls and acoustic sets.
TipEntry is via Gate T on Simmonscourt Road; the ticket includes a sampling glass and pours are paid per measure.
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