The Top Ten Irish Foodie Spots For 2018 Have Been Revealed

Darragh Berry

Food lovers, you’re going to want to get into your car and have a wander around to experience the best.

The ‘Top Ten Foodie Destinations for 2018’ have been announced and the race is now on to find Ireland’s best.

Foodie Destinations 2018, an initiative by the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI), launched in June and the top ten shortlisted entrants have now been announced.

The ultimate winner of the competition will be a destination that actively promotes itself through activities such as food festivals, gourmet trails or farmers’ markets, as well as great dining experiences for locals and visitors alike.

Plans for future growth and investment in the food and hospitality industry at a local level will also be taken into consideration by the judges.

The Top Ten places are:

Armagh
Boyne Valley
Cavan
Derry
Galway Gastronomy
Kilkenny
Kinsale
Mid & East Antrim Borough
Monaghan and Glaslough
Sligo

This second and final stage of the competition will include a visit to each individual region by the esteemed Foodie Destinations 2018 judges, along with a nationwide public vote.

Entrants are encouraged to campaign within their local vicinity in order to encourage public involvement. The Foodie Destinations judging process will focus on seven key areas to establish a clear winner from the shortlisted finalists.

The judges will be examining whether the entrant offers: a unique visitor experience, local knowledge and participation, local producers, promotion, festivals and community events, the prospect of future projects, along with education and training.

Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland commented: “We are delighted to move forward into the next stage of Foodie Destinations 2018 and this year the standard of competition couldn’t be higher. Foodie Destinations is an excellent opportunity for regions across Ireland to promote what makes them unique and the judges can’t wait to see what the ten shortlisted finalists have to show them.”

Online voting will commence nationwide next on the 25th July, followed by finalist judges visits which start the 2nd of August and finish on the 20th of August.

Online voting for the 2018 competition will cease on the 21st of August and the overall winner of Foodie Destinations 2018 will be announced at an event at the end of August.

You can find more information on their website here.