Clare County Council 'exploring' options to showcase the Banner's 'rich food heritage'

Clare County Council has confirmed is is exploring avenues to both showcase and support the county's incredible food sector and its local artisan producers. 

This news comes as a result of a Notice of Motion submitted to the council by Fianna Fáil Cllr Antoinette Baker Bashua. She asked that the potential of establishing a food festival in Ennis be evaluated. 

Welcoming this motion was Siobhán McNulty, the Director of Tourism Development, who declared that this was in line with the 'celebrate our creative vitality' objective of the Clare Tourism Strategy 2030. 

In past years, similar festivals were organised, such as the 'Clare Food and Drink Fleadh.' This was established by the Ennis Chamber in 2019 under the banner 'Taste the Island' which was a national event that was supported by Failte Ireland. 

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This festival evolved in 2024 to an artisan food and drink market that runs for four consecutive Saturdays in the lead-up to Christmas. However, it is now no longer running. 

In a written reply to Cllr Baker Bashua, Ms McNulty said, "Having researched with other counties, it seems the cost to re-start and organise such an event in Ennis would be significant and any such event would need a support network and structures for it to be successful.

"We are currently exploring opportunity to showcase the county's rich food heritage and support to local artisan producers such as hosting specific food awards events and/or promotions via Irish Food Writers Guild," she added. 

Concluding, she confirmed that the Tourism Directorate is committed to working with the Ennis Municipal District and they are set to continue exploring options around tourism festivals and promotions for the county.