Leenane

24 September 2012 - 25 September 2012

The Leenane Food Festival will be held in the picturesque village of Leenane, set at the head of Killary Harbour, on the 24th and 25th September, 2012. Over 1,500 visitors descended on the tiny village for the inaugural food festival in 2009, with larger numbers attending in 2010. This year's line up of chef demonstrations will showcase local produce from international award winning smoked tuna, Killary mussels to organic lamb from the village mountains. Heading the line up of chef’s demonstrations is Derry Clarke chef/patron of L’Ecrivain and proud owner of one of only six Michelin starred restaurants in the country, where only Connemara hill lamb is served. Derry will cook the lamb in the village marquee and visitors can watch and learn from the gastronomic master at work. Also attending will be Graham Roberts of Connemara Smokehouse who will be demonstrating the uses of smoked salmon and his smoked tuna which snapped up the bronze medal at the prestigious Great Taste Awards in London. Rick Stein’s claim that “Grahams smoked tuna is the finest I have ever tasted” led to Stein serving it in all his restaurants within a week of first tasting of the tuna. Also participating will be local restaurateur Oran Daly of Portfinn Lodge and Fjord Restaurant recently featured on RTE’s At Your Service. Oran will be cooking lobster, mussels and scallops all fresh from the Killary. Chefs will be on hand for questions after each session while visitors will have the opportunity to sample the delicious fare. Local farmers and producers will have a market at the festival where artisan produce ranging from chowder, breads, bisque, jams, cheeses, fudges, smoked tuna and salmon will be for sale. Connemara Lamb is indigenous to this region and have roamed the village hills since the 1800s. The sheep feed on wild herbs, heathers and grasses. It is this diet which gives the meat is beautiful colour and remarkable flavour. It is less fatty than regular grass fed lamb and therefore healthier. Local Farmers will be available to take orders for Connemara lamb for your winter supplies.

Telephone:+353 (0)95 42 017

Email: info@leenanevillage.com

Website: www.leenanevillage.com

Address: Leenane, Co Galway