Savour Kilkenny Food Festival reveals exclusive dining events - including medieval feast!
Savour Kilkenny Food Festival returns from October 22 to October 25, bringing an extraordinary lineup of culinary experiences and dining events to Ireland’s medieval capital
The Savour Kilkenny Food Festival returns from October 22 to October 25, bringing an extraordinary lineup of culinary experiences and dining events to Ireland’s medieval capital.
Spanning five days, this year’s dining highlights the rich food heritage of Kilkenny while offering visitors immersive gastronomic storytelling. The crown jewel of this year’s dining events is A Samhain Medieval Feast, hosted at the 17th-Century Rothe House & Garden.
Taking place on both Friday, October 23, and Sunday, October 25 at 7pm (€110pp), A Samhain Medieval Feast invites guests to step back in time to the golden age of Kilkenny’s merchant history inside the historic Rothe House. The four-course interactive long-table dinner begins with medieval-inspired cocktails in the firelit courtyard. The menu incorporates local artisan produce paired with exotic spices from historic trade routes, fire-roasted pork with root vegetables, and a Samhain-inspired dessert referencing Kilkenny’s rich folklore and history.
"Bringing Medieval life to the table at Rothe House allows us to celebrate Samhain and the end of harvest in a unique and historic setting," said the event curator Clare Anne O'Keefe.
"From courtyard cocktails by firelight to a feast that uses the garden as a living larder, this experience celebrates the warmth, folklore, and culinary heritage of Samhain at its very origin."
The festival opens on Thursday, October 22, with international flavours and craft brew pairings, including the day-long Two Cultures, One Table: Experience Polish-Irish Fusion at Coffee Date in Irishtown, evening Brewery Bites & Tastings at Sullivan’s Brewery, and A Taste of Goodly in the Autumn at The Goodly Barrow Museum & Cafe.
Friday, October 23, steps up the culinary offerings with a landmark evening of fine dining and thematic feasts. Guests can experience A Taste of South Africa at Lekker Food Collection in Thomastown, the luxurious Winemaker's Dinner at The Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate (final seats now remaining), Smoke, Sip & Savour at Paris Texas, and The Devil Wears Prada at Lyla's, alongside the opening night of the flagship medieval feast.
Celebrations continue into Saturday, October 24, with a daytime emphasis on global and communal dining, featuring the Global Kitchen: A Taste of Somali at the Kilkenny Home Rule Club, Georgian Afternoon Tea at Butler House, and two sittings of Tower & Castle Tapas Night. The evening brings further highlights, including Irish Dinner, Dancing & Music at Kyteler's Inn, The O'Malley Shared Table at Butler Gallery, and a second night of South African specialties in Thomastown.
The festival concludes on Sunday, 25th October, with grand long-table events and iconic supper clubs, featuring A Celebration of the Supper Club Series at Statham's Restaurant, the 1786 Long Table Dinner at Butler House, additional tapas sittings, and the final night of the medieval feast.
Savour Kilkenny Food Festival over the October Bank Holiday weekend, running from Thursday, October 22 to Monday, October 26 across Kilkenny City. The Festival Quarter returns on Saturday and Sunday of the festival to host over 100 artisan food vendors, live demonstrations on the Savour and Taste Stages, a Craft Brewers & Distillers Marquee, and family entertainment.
Tickets for all dining events are on sale now, with limited capacity across venues, for more information visit, www.savourkilkenny.com.