September 10th The first Slow Food Tour of the Festival will visit a prize winning dairy farm at milking time to view the process in action and will then meet John Flahavan at the sixth generation miller’s facility at Flahavan’s Porridge in Kilmacthomas.
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| John Flavahan |
The final stop is an opportunity to meet Grace Kiersey and take a tour of her vegetable garden also near Kilmacthomas, County Waterford. It promises to be a real treat of a day out and something that should not be passed up for any curious foodies who want to get a behind the scenes at local food production.
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| Meet Grace Kiersey at her Vegetable Garden |
September 11th is for seafood lovers. You will experience seaweed foraging on Boat Strand, a talk from Bord Iascaigh Mhara on local fisheries and a visit to Flanagan’s Fish Mongers where you will be able to taste scallops, mussels, oysters, crab, lobster and many more seafood delights.
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| Visit Flanagan’s Fish Mongers |
September 12th Visitors will be taken on a journey north of the River Suir to south Kilkenny to visit High Bank Organic Orchards where you can view the production of their organic juices and syrup and also sample the finished products.
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| High Bank Organic Orchards |
From there the tour will travel to Goatsbridge Trout Farm where you will experience their eco-riendly work environment and taste their premium fish and smoked trout produce. You will also be able to try some tasty Trout Caviar samples!
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| Goatsbridge Trout Farm |
To round off the tour, it is then on to Knockdrinna Farmhouse Cheese to observe their cheese production and indulge in some of the finished products.
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| Knockdrinna Farmhouse Cheese |
September 13th Slow Food Tour guests will be taken to experience the Ballybeg Horticulture Project & Allotments. This community driven project will demonstrate the possibility of what can be achieved when people come together for the greater good of the community. It has the chance to inspire and motivate all those who visit so it could be a great way to gain some tips and pointers for anyone wanting to start their own community garden project.
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| Ballybeg Ballybeg Horticulture Project & Allotments |
Tourists will be taken on a tour of the gardens and allotments and may even get the chance to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in! Afterwards, the tour will reach the Manor House walled kitchen garden where tour attendees will get the opportunity to view and sample some of the local produce.
September 14th (SOLD OUT, But more may get lined up) a trip to Dunhill Ecopark & Community Garden is first on the cards for this Slow Food Tour. Visitors will be able to take in the fantastic scenery of the community garden and stretch their legs out in the fine County Waterford air.
September 14th (SOLD OUT, But more may get lined up) a trip to Dunhill Ecopark & Community Garden is first on the cards for this Slow Food Tour. Visitors will be able to take in the fantastic scenery of the community garden and stretch their legs out in the fine County Waterford air.
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| Dunhill Ecopark & Community Garden |
You will also be able to sample some very tasty treats from artisan food producers and see the recently installed apiary from the Beekeepers Federation along with the Crough Venison Farm.
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| Crough Venison Farm |
September 15th is the final day of the Slow Food Tours and a trip to a traditional Waterford Craft Butcher is the first port of call. At the butchers, guests will get the chance to view and sample local meat specialities such as Crubeens, Chucks and Pig’s Tail.
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| A traditional Waterford Craft Butcher |
A visit to the uniquely Waterford Bilberry Goats Heritage Trust at Bilberry Rock, Gracedieu is a perfect way to finish up the Slow Food Tours. You will be able to experience the protected creatures in their beautiful and often perilous surroundings and sample their homemade goats cheese!
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| Waterford Bilberry Goats Heritage Trust |
All Slow Food Tours depart the House of Waterford Crystal at their appointed date and time, tickets are €14 for a place on the bus and a car travelling is €10 per car. Guests will travel on a 15-seat bus and 8 persons are required to make trip viable.
Ring 087 2109894 to book a Tour or Book Online at http://www.waterfordharvestfestival.ie/tickets/
Waterford city will be in festival mode from September 10th to 16th with events on offer for all the family. For a full programme of events and more information see www.waterfordharvestfestival.ie
Zack