Sligo Food Trail launches sizzling Taste The Island calendar

press release

Sligo Food Trail launches sizzling Taste The Island calendar

Pictured at the launch of Sligo Food Trail’s calendar for Taste The Island were (l-r)
Back: Hans & Gaby Wieland, Chef Marc Gallagher, Niall Tracey (Director of Marketing, Fáilte Ireland), Carolanne Rushe, Chef Joe McGlynn, Neil Byrne
Front: Anthony Gray, Prannie Rhatigan, Cllr. Marie Casserly (Chair Sligo Food Trail), Coeurine Murray, John Neary (Wild Atlantic Way, Fáilte Ireland)

 Sligo Food Trail officially launched a compelling autumn calendar packed with Taste The Island events at Sligo Oyster Experience on Tuesday 10^th September 2019. The new Fáilte Ireland Taste The Island programme, celebrating Ireland’s seasonal ingredients, adventurous tastes and bold experiences, dovetails perfectly with Sligo Food Trail experiences. Network members have produced some really creative and attractive food-related events, with the Sligo Food Trail Harvest Feast on Friday 18^th October as the showcase event.

Speaking at the launch, Niall Tracey, Director of Marketing with Fáilte Ireland, said “Initially Taste The Island is targeting places easily reached by the visitor. In year 1 the focus is on domestic visitors from places like Donegal, Dublin or Longford. The second year will target international destinations with direct access from Knock.” He spoke about the Sligo specific promotion, saying, “There are two Sligo specific promotions this year – at the end of August and the end of September. This includes five half page ads in national papers as well as social media and radio campaigns”.

The full Taste The Island programme includes more than 700 food and drink-related events and experiences across the country. Taste the Island Sligo style is an eclectic combination tasting, trying, making and learning including sushi and seaweed, a tapas trail, food tours, farm to fork, fermented foods and Japanese Kaiseki. It comprehensively covers all five pillars designated by Fáilte Ireland: Taste of Place, Meet the Maker, Make it Yourself, Trails and Networks Festivals and Events

Marie Casserly, Chair of Sligo Food Trail spoke about Sligo Food Trail’s Taste The Island events, saying, “Sligo Food Trail is proud to spearhead Taste the Island programme in Sligo. During the 12 week Taste The Island campaign this year Sligo Food Trails has created 30 events. Collaboration is key for all these experiences. We have the people, the passion and the produce to make Sligo a leading food destination”.

Meet the Maker video seriesSligo Food Trail premiered the first of their Meet the Maker video series on the launch night and network member Couerine Murray of food producer Murson Farm introduced it to the audience. The inaugural video features Carrow Coffee Roasters from Beltra. Husband and wife team Andrew and Paola Willis were inspired by a four year stint in Colombia to launch their own coffee roasting business.

Full details of all the Sligo Food Trail events for Taste The Island are available on the website www.sligofoodtrail.ie