Westport Food Festival has a brand new date this year, June 24-26. Don’t miss the big banquet, seaweed foraging, food village or the great Irish food quiz.
While you’re there, make sure you take the opportunity to eat at Newport native, Aine Maguire’s gorgeous restaurant, The Idle Wall located at the gates of Westport House. The setting is spectacular and Aine’s cooking is no less accomplished. Come here to feast on the finest local mountain lamb, native oysters and mackerel so fresh it’s landed at the slipway outside the front door, all in the most convivial, cosy setting.
Also look out for local producer/food legend Red Cabot’s delicious homemade dips and chutneys. We can’t get enough of his Smoky Mackerel Pâté, made with local Wild Atlantic mackerel, smoked by his pal Jerry Hasset, and enriched with Greek yoghurt rather than rich cream cheese for a lighter touch, with fragrant fennel, grated horseradish and lime juice adding that essential kick.
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