This Halloween, celebrate the change of season at one of these fantastic foodie events …
Samhain with Bech-Bailey at Slane Castle
I can think of no better place to celebrate the shift in seasons and welcoming the new harvest than with an atmospheric long table feast in the neo-Gothic dining room at Slane Castle. From October 26-29, culinary maestro Jordan Bailey and his equally talented wife, Majken Bech-Bailey will be hosting a series of dinners to celebrate the Púca Festival and all things Samhain. In keeping with the best traditions of the ancient Celts, Jordan will prepare a nine-course tasting menu featuring excellent local produce, with the highlight being a shared centerpiece of local Rock Farm pork glazed with Slane Irish Whiskey and cooked over coals in the castle courtyard. Accommodation and overnight packages are also available. www.slanecastle.ie
Samhain Festival of Food and Culture
In nearby Kells, The Samhain Festival of Food and Culture will take place from November 2 – 5 and promises to be a wild culinary ride. There is a jam packed schedule of events at this family friendly festival, all of which celebrate the culture of Irish food, both past and present. Highlights include a long table Samhain supper in the Headfort Arms Hotel with Michelin-starred Chef, Enda McEvoy (formerly of Loam restaurant, Galway) at the helm and the Boyne Valley Food Safari on Saturday November 4 where participants can take a food tour to three award-winning local producers; Boyne Valley Cheese, The Cider Mill, and Martry Mill. Other must dos are The Samhain Literature Pub Crawl which takes place on November 3 where attendees will experience three of Kells’ incredible pubs, receiving a local alcoholic drink with Boyne Valley Bites pairing in each venue, and of course a literary piece to suit the occasion. www.boynevalleyflavours.ie
Halloween Murder Mystery Supper at The Harrison, Belfast
In the leafy Queen’s Quarter of Belfast, proprietor Melanie Harris invites guests to gather together on Saturday November 4 and attend a Halloween Murder Mystery evening at the aptly named Harrison Chambers of Distinction. Channel your inner Poirot and solve the clues with fellow guests to uncover who has committed the ghastly deed, all while enjoying a light buffet supper. When the fun is over, retire to one of the opulent guest rooms for a peaceful slumber. You hope… www.chambersofdistinction.com
Seasonal Suppers, Gala Balls and Family Fun at Kilruddery House, Wicklow
The 19th-century Grain Store at Kilruddery House will host a series of seasonal suppers, with a menu celebrating the very best of the walled garden produce and estate reared meat. Expect to be greeted with a glass of bubbles, embellished with garden botanicals, a candlelight supper and log fires to set the tone. Meanwhile, on November 11, Killruddery will host the annual Harvest Moon Gala Charity Ball in aid of Their Lives Matter, Tanzania. Guests will be welcomed with a drinks reception in Killruddery Yard before making their way to The Grain Store for a gala dinner with music, dancing and general merriment until late. Little ones are not forgotten either with a variety of pumpkin and scarecrow themed events scheduled over the mid-term break to keep everyone entertained. www.killruddery.com