10 Northern Ireland food experiences to whet the appetite

Rachel Quigg, Destination PR Officer, Tourism Northern Ireland is encouraging people to enjoy a short break and savour a taste of Northern Ireland’s food experiences.

She said: “The penultimate month is ‘Legacy & Learn to’ in the Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink and we encourage everyone to stay somewhere beautiful, learn something new and eat something amazing.

“From city centre breweries to trails around Lough Erne, there is something for everyone whether you are a seasoned foodie or a novice,” added Rachel.

To help you along, Tourism Northern Ireland has put together a list of the top ten food experiences to enjoy in Northern Ireland:

Belfast

r Exclusively offering the multi-award winning Belfast Food Tour, Meet The Brewer Brewery Tour, Belfast Bar Tour, Belfast Whiskey Walk amongst others, ‘Taste & Tour NI’ take you off the beaten track in Northern Ireland. Recently awarded a five-star visitor attraction rating, participants get to experience Belfast with a local who knows and loves the food we produce in Northern Ireland, as well as where to eat and drink it.

Derry~Londonderry

r Made in Derry Food Tours offer visitors the chance to taste over 20 different foods and drinks, everything from mouth-watering local street food, to exquisite fresh fish and delectable sweet treats, washed down with refreshing local beers and drinks. As well as getting the opportunity to try mouth-watering dishes, participants sample a variety of places, engage with the chefs, owners and producers.

r Far and Wild offer a number of food tours of Derry-Londonderry, Sperrins and Lough Foyle by cycle or kayak including its recently launched ‘Special’ Tour. Appealing to those who want to take a ‘slower’ approach to their visitor experience, the tour takes in three great culinary experiences in a 2-hour cycle ride around Derry, focusing on quality local produce and some gentle exercise in between servings.

r Nestled among the yellow fields of Oilseed rape in Binevenagh, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you will find Broglasco Farm, home of Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil. The pressing room where Broighter Gold is produced is an ÉCONOMUSÉE, or working museum, where visitors can watch the artisans at work; learn about the history of their craft and the heritage of the traditional skills in this unique experience.

Co Down

r Discover the hidden gems of County Down with NI Food Tours. Aimed at both ‘foodies’ and those who just want to get to know Northern Ireland through local food and drink, four coach tours are offered covering the 115 miles of stunning coastline around Strangford Lough, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

r Another unique food tour can be found at Enniskeen Country Hotel in Newcastle where the Mourne Foods & Films Cycle Tour allows visitors to explore locally produced foods and famous filming locations on two wheels. Showcasing the wonderful artisan food in the region, visitors will also take in the many breath-taking locations in the valley used in global filming productions – Philomena, Game of Thrones®, The Fall, and Dracula Untold.

Co Fermanagh

r The Lough Erne Food Trail is a must for anyone who enjoys great local food, stunning landscapes and a story or two along the way. Erne Water Taxi have teamed up with the best food producers, brewers and restaurants around Lough Erne to deliver a truly unique food experience. The new season starts in March 2017.

Co Antrim

The ever-changing tapestry of scenery and colours, set against a dramatic coastal backdrop makes County Antrim the perfect place for a leisurely food tour.

r Causeway Coast Foodie Tours are guided tours showcasing some of the best local produce and hidden gems the Causeway Coastal Route has to offer. The tours include the Coast and Country Tour, and the Catch and Sea Tour where visitors get to catch their own breakfast in the crystal clear waters of the Causeway Coast.

r Ballycastle Food Tour draws on the town’s rich and varied cultural history and local, award winning food producers. With a quick introduction to Ballycastle and the surrounding Causeway Coast and Glens visitors get to experience the industries and landscapes that have made Ballycastle the perfect place to enjoy its superb seafood and local produce.

Co Armagh

r You’ll experience a food tour with a difference on the Tayto Castle Tour. See first-hand how these famous crisps and snacks are made and even get to meet Mr Tayto, the brand mascot.

Book a Foodie Weekend in Northern Ireland

With all these food experiences, you may want to wet the whistle too with our many brewery and distillery tours such as Bushmills, Hilden or the Walled City Brewery in Derry. Whatever your preference, book a short break to Northern Ireland and experience the ambience, the heritage, the landscapes, and of course, the people that make our food and drink community so delicious.

Find out more about the Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016 celebrations at www.discovernorthernireland.com/yearoffoodanddrink2016/