Supercars get barbecue festival off to a flying start

THE roar of up to 140 supercar engines will get a barbecue festival on the shores of Lough Derg off to a flying start this month.

Up to 30 different events in venues throughout Ballina and Killaloe will turn up the heat on how to barbecue the best quality food at the An Fulacht Fia – the Gathering International Barbecue Festival and Food Fair.
Proceeds from the main events at the festival will be donated to the Killaloe Ballina Rugby Football Club.

This year’s festival packs a punch with a week-long programme, starting with the arrival of the Cannonball Run charity supercar event on Sunday, August 25 and culminating with the International Barbecue Competition at Flanagan’s on the Lake on Saturday, August 31.

Hundreds are expected to flock to see top of the range supercars including Masorati, Lamborghini, Mercedes and BMW when the Cannonball Run Charity Premier Car Display, in aid of the Lauren Lynn House, arrives.
It is expected the road from Molly’s to the Lakeside Hotel will be closed so that patrons can view all the cars in a proper line-up. People can also enjoy water sking and live music and a barbecue at Flanagan’s Marquee, who are the main organisers of the festival.

Now in its fourth year, the festival sees all the local restaurants showcasing their culinary expertise with a trail of barbecue parties, including one on board the cruise boat The Spirit of Killaloe on Friday, August 30.
On Monday, August 26, barbecue menus will be promoted by all local restaurants, bars, supermarkets and butchers and will culminate with the announcement of the Fulacht Fia junior and senior art competition shortlist after a wine reception at Quay Arts.

Gourmet garden parties will be held in a number of restaurants on Wednesday, while a pub quiz at Liam O’Riain’s in aid of Killaloe Ballina RFC and other barbecue and music events will be hosted on Thursday and Friday.
The intenational barbecue competition, has already attracted 25 teams from the US, UK, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Libya and Ireland and will battle it out for the coveted International Fulacht Fia Cup.

Also looking forward to this year’s competition is last year’s winner, Martin Kavanagh of Kavanagh’s Butchers, who declared he and his team are relishing the challenge this year’s field has to offer.
The competition will be overseen by the Irish Barbeque Association (IBBQA) who will be on hand for the week promoting and demonstrating safe and fun methods of barbecuing for all the family. A feature on the day will be the recreation of an ancient fulacht fia.

On Sunday, September 1, Ken Switzer from IBBQA will give a barbecue demonstration and display, which will be followed by another barbecue garden party at the Lakeside Hotel.