Over 50,000 attended Savour Kilkenny

Over 50,000 people attended Savour kilkenny  last weekend. It attracted millions of euro worth of business to the city and environs from Thursday to Sunday night.
The Parade area was buzzing throughout the entire weekend and the weather ensured everyone was free to roam around in the autumn sun, while taking in the atmosphere and enjoying the demos and wonderful food.
This was the first year that the festival introduced a new and improved lay out – which saw the main demo tents and stalls stretch from the bottom of the Parade, to beyond the Castle gates, with a new picnic area also added.
The layout was introduced to ensure people could move around more freely and allowed for less congestion.
It also meant that the Mayor’s Walk, the gravel part at the Castle Wall, could be used by people wishing to avoid the festival and gain access straight into the rose garden of Kilkenny Castle.
Feedback from attendees was hugely positive about the new layout, with many saying they believed it took the festival to a whole new level.
The festival kicked off on Thursday night with two very special and unique events.
Rosanna Davison and Kilkenny’s own Frances Walsh from The Honest Project drew massive crowds to the Newpark Hotel.
Unlock Your Full Potential with Brent Pope, David Gillick and Miriam and Gerry Hussey also took place on the same night in Hotel Kilkenny and will be remembered as one of Savour’s most memorable events of all time, with the entire crowd enchanted by the amazing speakers.
Gerry Hussey stole the show with his visualisation and people left slightly confused but asking questions about their diet, lifestyle choices and whether or not they had the right balance in their life.
Once again the food demos did not disappoint, with many of the high-profile chefs and personalities sharing wonderful and practical cooking tips for all.
The Kitchen Clash of the Ash, with Edward Hayden, Kilkenny Hurlers, Jackie Tyrrell and Paul Murphy, and Anne Neary, of Ryeland provided the crowds with much entertainment and the crowds were at times rolling around with laughter.
The events programme of the festival was particularly memorable, and a stand out highlight has to be the Tribute to the O’Connell’s of Cullohill on Saturday, which saw Edward Hayden interview six members of the inspiring O’Connell family – including Darina (Allen), Rory, Tom, Blathnaid, Richard and Patrick.
Edward chatted with the close-knit family about their wonderful food heritage, which was very much instilled in them by their mother, as well as their close bond to Laois and Kilkenny and how this has influenced strongly their relationship and their endeavors with food.

Fennelly’s of Callan a breakfast winner
Savour Kilkenny and KCLR launched a competition in August to find Kilkenny’s best breakfast, with entries from various eateries, restaurants and hotels included.
The winner was decided and announced on Saturday at Savour – the competition was high, but it was decided that Fennelly’s of Callan was the very deserving winner and was crowned the winner of the 2018 Best Breakfast in Kilkenny.
Another festival highlight this year as A Taste of Kieran Street, which took place on Friday night. The event saw the cobbled street come alive with music, food and even a fashion show. Attendees were treated to a lovely evening and it provided a great celebration of one of Kilkenny’s oldest streets.
Throughout the entire weekend events of every kind took place at locations across the city and county, with feedback and commentary was overwhelmingly positive about them all.