100 GREAT IRISH BREAKS: 1. TASTE OF CARLINGFORD:If you can't wait for the Carlingford Oyster Festival on August 11th and 12th, take advantage of Carlingford at its most delicious on May 26th and 27th.
Local restaurants set up a marketplace for you to nibble your way through the village. If you feel like meeting your hunger face to face, there’s crab fishing at King John’s Pier.
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2. VALENTIA ISLAND KING SCALLOP FESTIVAL
This scallop-fest mightn’t have the history of other food festivals around the country, but that doesn’t mean there’s any discrepancy in the quality of food over July 14th and 15th.
Southwest Kerry has some cracking seafood on offer year-round, and this is a good opportunity to check out the locally sourced king scallops to see what all the fuss is about. For more information, email valentiaislandtouristoffice@gmail.com
3. BURREN SLOW FOOD FESTIVAL
Over May 18th-20th, Lisdoonvarna slows things down for once with a festival showcasing good food that comes to those who wait. Beer tastings, a Donal Skehan cooking demo, a farmers' market, seaweed foraging, and, oh yes, a walking tour to Fr Ted's house (no word if a Mrs Doyle-sized pile of sandwiches awaits) fills the weekend. slowfoodclare.com
4. BALLYMALOE COOKERY SCHOOL
The array of courses at Ballymaloe is almost intimidating. You can do everything from decamping to Midleton for no less than 12 weeks and return to wow your friends and family with your new skills, to just spending an afternoon learning how to design a herb garden.
And if you need to know how to cure pig meat in a day, forage in the autumn, bake with Rachel Allen or make sushi, this really is the destination.
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5. DUNMORE EAST FESTIVAL OF FOOD, FISH AND FUN
The programme for this fishy festival taking place from June 22nd-24th has yet to be fully announced, but expect cookery demonstrations (using local ingredients such as foraged seaweed), seaside BBQs, angling, coffee tastings and plenty to learn on everything from cheese to bees. waterford-dunmore.com
6. TASTE OF DUBLIN
The hugely successful food festival in the Iveagh Gardens returns with Jamie Oliver on hand to get proceedings going. Five new restaurants have been added this year, including 777 and the Green Hen, and there are various tastings and talks through June 14th to 17th.
A standard ticket is €20, but remember, you’ll also have to buy the festival currency of Florins to purchase tasting plates.
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7. SO SLIGO FOOD AND CULTURE FESTIVAL
If it’s stew you’re after, from May 18th to 20th Sligo hosts the World Irish Stew professional and amateur competitions. This is also a festival brimming with activities.
Charter a boat for a catch-and-cook expedition, take part in the Mum Knows Best baking competition, go on a tour of Coopershill venison farm and take part in several foraging events. A busy weekend with bucket-loads to do. sosligo.com
8. DINGLE FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL
Running later in the year, from October 5th to 7th, this foodie weekend showcases why people consistently head to the peninsula for nosh.
Dingle’s pubs and seafood are famous for a reason, and you can sample them all in one go on a trail of 55 outlets during this festival as well as taking in the National Irish Food Awards, which big up the best tasting products in Ireland.
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9. GIY 2012
The Grow It Yourself gathering on September 15th and 16th in Waterford city celebrates its fourth year in 2012.
Forages, workshops, demonstrations, talks and QAs make sure you'll learn as much as you'll eat over the two days, and hopefully expand your knowledge beyond the festival. giyireland.com
10. KINSALE GOURMET FESTIVAL
Kinsale doesn't mess around with food, and while this festival has plenty of trimmings in terms of social events, it's still the grub that stands out. Over October 12th to 14th there are escorted tours of Kinsale restaurants – the Kinsale Good Food Circle – and a cook-off on the streets with the circle's chefs. kinsalerestaurants.com