Pigtown Food Series returns for second year

Pictured at the launch of the Pigtown Series 2018 on Rigney’s Farm were Patricia Roberts (No 1 Pery Square), Mike Tweedie (Adare Manor) and Edon O’Brien (age 4).

In celebration of Limerick’s unique food heritage, the Pigtown Series is back for its second year. Inspired by the history of Limerick’s famous bacon industry, an exciting programme of themed events will take place in various venues in Limerick throughout the month of September.

Developed by the Limerick Food Group and supported by Limerick City and County Council, LEO, LIT and Marketti, the series will focus on Limerick’s unique heritage as a way to showcase the great food available locally, and encourage us to embrace our food culture.

The chef line-up for the free weekly Pigtown Cookery Demos series is a cross-section of some of the most interesting chefs working in the region including Wade Murphy of 1826 Adare; Peter Jackson of Armada Hotel; Mike Tweedie of The Oak Room in Adare Manor; Tom Flavin of Limerick Strand Hotel joined by Eithne Gavigan of LIT Culinary Arts; and Ciara Brennan of Happy Food at Home along with the Firefighting Chef Paul Knapp of TV3 IrelandAM in a ‘back to school’ themed event kicking off the series on Saturday September 1st in the Milk Market upstairs mezzanine.

The festival programme includes Guided Food Heritage Tours leaving No1 Pery Square at 10.30am each Saturday morning in September, which weave their way through Georgian Limerick’s historical streets meeting some local characters along the way with tastings, and ending up at the Milk Market in time for the free cookery demos at midday.

Themed restaurant events dotted across the month include “This Little Piggy Went to Town…” for the Limerick Food Mile, a fun evening with a menu focus on local producers where guests experience four courses in four different city restaurants – The River at the Strand, Azur, The Savoy Hotel, and Sash Restaurant at No1 Pery Square. Continue reading

Inaugural I.NY festival launched

An exciting national festival has been announced for Limerick, this time celebrating the relationship between Ireland and New York – here’s the press release:

Designer Orla Kiely, David Bowie’s musical director Gerry Leonard, director of The New Yorker Festival Rhonda Sherman and Oscar-winner Glen Hansard will appear at the inaugural I.NY festival in Limerick, Ireland. The I.NY festival takes place from Oct 5-15 and will explore and celebrate the relationship between Ireland and New York.

Irish singer-songwriter Damien Dempsey launched the inaugural I.NY Festival under the watchful eye of Irish writer Brendan Behan ‘The King of New York’ in Dublin

Irish singer-songwriter Damien Dempsey launched the inaugural I.NY Festival under the watchful eye of Irish writer Brendan Behan ‘The King of New York’ in Dublin

Other confirmed artists and participants include  Kathryn Lloyd  (Lower East Side Tenement Museum), Tim O’Connor  (former New York Consul General), musician  Damien Dempsey, Chris Byrne  (Black 47), Dermott Rowan (MD of Kiely Rowan), Qool DJ Marv (producer and DJ for HBO and Soho House New York), Dara O’Cinneide (All-Ireland winning footballer & broadcaster) and Diarmuid Lyng (former All-Star hurler & broadcaster), Mary Leonard (graphic designer),  Aidan Kelly (photographer) and club nights Sunday Times and Mother.

The festival also features: The Annie Moore Talks series inviting guest speakers from Ireland and New York to explore a range of topics from architecture to immigration; the diaspora-focused  I.NY  Gathering  hosted in Dromoland Castle; the I.NY Symposium on Creative Education in the University of Limerick; and the  I.NY Festival Club  featuring some of Ireland and New York’s most renowned DJs, producers and promoters. The I.NY festival will see participation and exhibition from New York partners including the Lower East Side Tenement Museum and Ellis Island with further announcements in the coming weeks.

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‘Urban Food Fest’ opening event of Pigtown Food & Culture Series

I’m very excited to be bringing Urban Food Fest back for 2017, it’s a lot of work for us but I know it’ll be so worth it come September 1st! Here’s the release we issued with all the details. One of those beautiful children is mine too! >>>

Pigtown Urban Food Fest at the Milk Market on Friday evening September 1st is the opening event of the Pigtown Food & Culture Series, a two-month long celebration of Limerick’s pig heritage with food, cultural and family events. See pigtown.ie for full listings.

22.08.17 Launching the Pigtown Food & Culture Series opening event Urban Food Fest at the Limerick Milk Market were, Chloe Harper (7), Annacotty, Edon O’Brien (3), Caherdavin and Charley Harper. (10), Annacotty Limerick. Picture: Alan Place

Following its enormous success last year, when an unprecedented 6,000 people turned out for the event ran by Limerick Food Group, Urban Food Fest will once again transform the historic Limerick Milk Market into a street food mecca as local producers, market traders, restaurants, and hotels come together for a unique Limerick food event. This time it’s a ‘Pigtown edition’ to celebrate the start of the Pigtown Culture & Food Series. Continue reading

Going the whole hog – Limerick’s Pigtown Food Series

I’ve been working on something very exciting with the Limerick Food Group, here’s the announcement release with all the info. I did the design work on this too, have to say I’m very happy with my Pigtown logo! >>>

This autumn, the Pigtown Food Series is taking over Limerick in an exciting celebration of Limerick’s Food Culture. Inspired by the history of Limerick’s famous bacon industry, the ‘Pigtown Culture and Food Series’ is an exciting new programme of themed events happening in September and October 2017 in Limerick.

Ruth Guiry, author of ‘Pigtown, A History of Limerick’s Bacon Industry’ at the launch of the Pigtown Culture and Food Series held at the Milk Market, Limerick. Picture Sean Curtin True Media.

Developed by the Limerick Food Group and supported by Fáilte Ireland, the series will focus on Limerick’s unique heritage as a way to showcase the great food available locally, building on their deep-rooted food heritage. Continue reading

Culture & Chips Takes To The Streets for July 12th

I’m very excited to be part of this event – this year Culture & Chips Takes To The Streets in a one of a kind street party in conjunction with Limerick 2020, the likes of which Limerick has never seen before.

Culture and Chips Launch with Fidget Feet. Picture: Alan Place.

Here’s all the info you need >> On Tuesday July 12th, the jury for the European Capital of Culture bid will visit the city and they’re going to get one hell of a Limerick welcome… Daniel O’Connell’s whole block on upper O’Connell Street between Hartstonge Street and Barrington Street (the area known as The Crescent in the Georgian Quarter) will become party central as Culture & Chips Takes To The Streets from noon until evening. Continue reading

Limerick’s Urban Food Fest

ONE FOR THE DIARY: For one night only, the historic Limerick Milk Market is being transformed into a street food mecca for ‘Urban Food Fest’, as producers, market traders, restaurants, and hotels come together for a unique Limerick food (#bialuimní) event.

I’m one of the organisers of this event so I can tell you it’s one not to miss. It will truly be a unique evening in the Milk Market and a real showcase of Limerick food and drink.

urban food fest

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