Ninth Burren Food Fayre goes virtual

ONE of the highlights of the autumn calendar in North Clare, the Burren Food Fayre is to go virtual this year, enabling audiences to enjoy a host of demonstrations, discussions, tips and advice.

The eagerly anticipated event boasts an impressive line-up of food producers and chefs from all over the Burren, who will be taking part in a series of free online events last this month.

The event now, in its ninth year, will be live streamed on Facebook and YouTube over 12 days from October 23 to November 3 at 7pm each evening.

“Our aim is simple, we want to showcase the rich food culture we have here in the Burren,

and bring the recipes of our hugely successful book, Burren Dinners, alive,” said Jarlath O’Dwyer, CEO of Burren Ecotourism Network and organiser of the fayre.

“This event is particularly important this year as it brings the Burren to attendees who are unable to travel, due to Covid-19 restrictions, as well as those who have a connection to the area. It means we are still able to offer a taste of the Burren in a safe and responsible way.”

Over the course of the event, 12 chefs or food producers will present a 20-minute demo each evening from wherever they are in the region.

“It is a great opportunity for attendees to tune in and learn the recipes from the book and get expert tips and advice from chefs, producers and growers in the Burren,” added Mr O’Dwyer.

Those taking part include head chef Robbie McAuley from Gregan’s Castle hotel, Chef John Gilmartin from Hotel Doolin, Birgitta Curtin from the Burren Smokehouse, Siobhan Ni Ghairbhith from St Tola Goats Cheese, Oonagh O’Dwyer from Wild Kitchen and Ciara O’Halloran from Flaggy Shore Oysters.

The Burren region is widely known as the ‘Fertile Rock,’ and includes a wide variety of food producers including fish smokers, beef, dairy, sheep and oyster farmers, as well as distillers, foragers, herbalists, cheesemakers, bakers and chefs. This group have been working together for many years and have made the Burren an award-winning food destination, with the Burren Food Trail scooping the Burren Food Town Award in 2015.

People who aren’t able to attend the event live online, can catch up later as everything will be recorded and available on Facebook and You Tube.

“We are hoping to reach a bigger audience on the social media platforms and also to give more people a chance to see some of our well-known chefs, producers, cheesemakers, foragers and bakers in action,” added Mr O’Dwyer. “If people like what they see, when it is safe to travel again they can visit the Burren and taste the foods in person.” For more information go to burren.ie search for Visit the Burren on Facebook.