Armagh’s Food and Cider Weekend is set to return this September, hosting a celebration of food, flavour, and the world-famous PGI status Bramley Apple.
From Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 September, the Orchard County will host immersive dining experiences, orchard tours, artisan markets and a collection of unique, high-end curated experiences, from fire-cooked feasts and terrace dining to cocktail masterclasses and elegant afternoon teas, designed to appeal to food lovers, couples and families alike.
Armagh has long been recognised for its exceptional local food culture and internationally acclaimed craft cider industry. At the centre of that story is the PGI-protected Armagh Bramley Apple – grown across more than 4,000 acres of orchards and renowned for its distinctive sharp flavour, firm texture and outstanding quality.
Among this year’s programme is the return of the Woodland Supper on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September, hosted by the Chapman Family of On the Hoof, where guests will enjoy a four-course feast cooked over applewood on the edge of Gosford Forest Park. On Sunday 6 September, food enthusiasts can take part in the premium Cooking with Fire experience, a hands-on masterclass in open-fire cooking, culminating in a shared BBQ feast.
Local businesses will host a series of events over the duration of the weekend, including Long Meadow Cider, one of the region’s long-established family-run orchards and cider producers. Long Meadow Cider will host a series of orchard experiences throughout the weekend including Cocktails & Canvas on Thursday 3 September, Orchard Hooley on Friday 4 September, and an Apple Picking Tour & Harvest Lunch on Sunday 6 September, offering visitors a unique insight into life at the heart of a working Armagh orchard.
Armagh Cider Company will also host an immersive Murder Mystery – Cider & Screams on Friday 4 September, where guests will become detectives for the evening while enjoying some of the region’s finest cider and a three-course meal from Hidden Gem.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Councillor Mary O’Dowd said: “Armagh Food and Cider Weekend is a celebration of everything that makes this region so special – our people, our produce, our hospitality and our proud orchard heritage. The Bramley apple has shaped the identity of this place for generations and remains at the heart of our food and drink story today.
“This annual festival gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience the incredible quality and creativity that exists across our borough, from our artisan producers and family orchards to our talented chefs, cider makers and hospitality businesses. We are proud to welcome visitors from near and far to experience the warmth, flavour and atmosphere of this Food Heartland.”
Chef Mervyn Steenson of Groucho’s Restaurant, who will host Wine V Cider, a 5 Course Small Plate Tasting Menu paired with wine and cider said: “Armagh Food and Cider Weekend is a real celebration of the connection between our orchards, producers and hospitality industry. Cooking in Armagh means working with ingredients that come with genuine provenance – apples grown a mile down the road, vegetables pulled from local soil, cider pressed by families who’ve been perfecting their craft for generations.
Steenson continued, “The weekend shines a spotlight on the creativity, collaboration and quality that make the Food Heartland such a special place to cook and dine.”
The weekend will also feature a lively programme of demonstrations, tastings and markets, including the Artisan Street Market in Armagh City Centre by day and Cider in the City at Shambles Yard by night, alongside Sundown Market at Solitude Park in Banbridge on Saturday 5 September. Visitors can also enjoy a range of masterclasses throughout the weekend exploring everything from cocktail making and cider tasting to nutritious cooking using local produce.
