JP McMahon, the proprietor of the Michelin-star rated Anair eaterie in Galway City got the 2015 Só Sligo Festival underway yesterday evening, Wednesday, June 10.
The five-day festival highlights the best of Sligo’s food finders, growers, producers and cookers. And with 2015 being the 150th birthday of W.B. Yeats, the annual Yeats Food Trail, which is an intrinsic part of the festival, takes on added significance (see separate panel).
JP McMahon kick off this year’s Festival at The Model yesterday, Wednesday, with the opportunity to dine ‘Aniar’ style, as seen in his Michelin star rated Aniar, Eat Gastro Pub and Cava Bodega in Galway city. JP’s philosophy is ‘to serve good food using local suppliers and artisan produce’. He features again, today, Thursday for a lunchtime cookery demonstration at the Factory.
This year’s Festival continues until Sunday evening with events happening all over the county. In Sligo town, the Só Sligo Food Trail has tapas sized house specialities available for €5 each in 26 venues. A map is available in participating venues showing where each eaterie is, and what is on offer.
There is something for everyone from urban foraging and seaweed walks to demonstrations and talks by local and celebrity chefs and experts including Joerg Mueller, Prannie Rattigan, John and Sally Mc Kenna, Regina Sexton and many more.
A Cookery Book Swap in aid of NW Simon Community and topics such as beer, bees and bread will keep you fed, educated and entertained.
Other events include the World Irish Stew Championship – everybody can enter – just bring along two portions of your stew at 12.30pm on Saturday 13th to the Italian Quarter (there will be facilities to heat & serve).
Foodie activities for children feature too, including a pizza making workshop and fruit carving.
Festival programme and tickets available online at www.sosligo.ie
The Só Sligo Yeats Food Trail will see 26 local eateries each offer a speciality tapas dish for just €5. The participating restaurants, bars and cafes are:
O’Connor Bros.
Hargadon’s
Rugatino
Cafe Fleur
La Fournill
Swagman
Lily’s and Lolly’s
Fabio’s
Sweet Beat Cafe
A Casa Mia
Kate’s Kitchen
WB Coffee House
The Bake Shop
Lyons’ Cafe
Fiddler’s Creek
McGarrigle’s
The Belfry
Eala Bhan
Grappa
The Glasshouse Hotel
Knox
Osta To Go
Osta Cafe & Wine Bar
Heart’s Desire
Coach Lane
Cafe Victor
