Olivia O'SullivanFor the fifth year in a row, the Pigtown Food and Culture Series festival is taking place this September and October across Limerick city and county, from September 16th to October 31st 2021, to celebrate Limerick’s food culture, local food producers, and famous food heritage.
Developed by Limerick Food Group and supported by Limerick City and County Council, organisers had to change the festival dramatically in 2020 to work within Covid restrictions, but several dining events managed to take place as well as family fun with Pigtown’s giant pig, which usually leads the Culture Night Pigtown Parade around Limerick City in previous (pre-pandemic) years and hopefully we will see the return of next year.
Chair of the organizing committee and food consultant, Chef Tom Flavin, explained:
“Last year we had to curtail our festival somewhat given the Covid restrictions but we focused on the dining element and local producers, and we’ve taken that one step further this year, particularly with our new opening event, The 061 Dinner, on September 16th.
Obviously we are missing the annual Pigtown Parade through the city that is always a big colourful family event for us, but hopefully that will be back next year – instead we will have a Culture Night Pigtown Party in the Milk Market this year with our giant piggy.
I hope people enjoy the delicious locally produced food in some of the wonderful establishments we have in Limerick and it might open visitors’ eyes to the great food we have in Limerick.”
Here’s a rundown of the events announced so far:
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16th SEP: THE 061 DINNER #061dinner
This year, the festival kicks off with ‘The 061 Dinner” (0 Imports, 6 Restaurants, 1 Goal) on Thursday 16th September 2021. This will be a 3-course dinner to be served in different restaurants at the same time using only Limerick suppliers on the menu.
Restaurants taking part in The 061 Dinner serving an exclusive Limerick-produced menu on Thursday September 16th include 1826 Adare, the East Room at UL, Longcourt Clubhouse at Newcastle West Golf Club, River Bar and Restaurant at the Limerick Strand Hotel, Sash Restaurant at No 1 Pery Square, and Tuscany Bistro in Castletroy. Cost is €40 per person, contact each venue to book.
These suppliers will include Rigney’s Farm, Bally Goat Farm, Attyflin Estate, New Leaf Urban Farmers, Croom Eggs, Adare Microgreens, Ballyhoura Mushrooms, Barry Butchers, Cotter Organic Lamb and many other Limerick food producers and suppliers throughout the county.
Treaty City Brewery have an exclusive beer brewed for the 2021 Pigtown Culture and Food Series, called the ‘Pigtown Pilsner’, a bohemian pilsner brewed in Limerick especially for this night.
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17th SEP: THIS LITTLE PIGGY WENT TO THE MARKET FOR CULTURE NIGHT
Of course The 061 Dinner is only the opening event to the festival, the following night Pigtown will celebrate Culture Night on Friday September 17th with family fun at the Milk Market in a Pigtown Party that will include a FREE pig mask making workshop, hot food vendors, craft stalls and more.
The mask making workshop will be hosted by Lumen Street Theatre and run from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. It is suitable for children aged 10-13 years, younger participants will need a parent to assist. Places in the workshop are limited to 12 children and will operate on a first-come-first-serve basis.
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18th SEP: PIGTOWN COOKERY DEMOS PRESENTS
Michael Tweedie, Executive Head Chef, Adare Manor Hotel
First in series of cookery demos at the Milk Market Upstairs, capacity limited (please note, this event will be filmed)
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23th SEP: PIGTOWN DINNER AT THE MUSTARD SEED
An annual sell-out evening in the renowned Ballingarry restaurant, the Pigtown Dinner at the Mustard Seed returns for another year on Thursday September 23rd 2021 with four course menu €49pp.
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25th SEP: PIGTOWN COOKERY DEMOS PRESENTS
Wade Murphy, Chef/Owner, 1826 Adare
Second in series of cookery demos at the Milk Market Upstairs, capacity limited (please note, this event will be filmed)
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26th SEP: ANTIQUE & CRAFT FAIR
As part of the Pigtown festival, the Milk Market will host an Antique and Craft Fair on Sunday September 26th from 11am to 3pm.
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2nd OCT: PIGTOWN COOKERY DEMOS PRESENTS
Tom Flavin, Chef & Food Consultant, Failte Ireland Food Champion
Third in series of cookery demos at the Milk Market Upstairs, capacity limited (please note, this event will be filmed for broadcast)
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9th OCT: PIGTOWN COOKERY DEMOS PRESENTS
Keith Piggot, Head Chef, No1 Pery Square
Spanish-themed cookery demo at the Milk Market Upstairs, capacity limited (please note, this event will be filmed for broadcast)
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10th OCT: ‘THE ART OF PIGTOWN’ ART FAIR
As part of the Pigtown festival, the Milk Market will host The Art of Pigtown art fair on Sunday October 10th from 11am to 3pm that proved very popular in previous years
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31st OCT: AUTHENTIC LIMERICK TACOS AT SPRINGFIELD CASTLE
Created especially for the Pigtown festival menu is an authentic taco evening at the Green Room Café in Springfield Castle, Broadford, Co. Limerick, using all local ingredients at €20pp covering food and entertainment.
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STAYCATION IN LIMERICK
For the duration of the festival, No1 Pery Square Hotel and the Limerick Strand Hotel are offering Pigtown staycation packages with lots of local food offerings.
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The Pigtown festival is organised by Limerick Food Group, a group from industry formed since 2015 working together to promote Limerick food.
For full details on this year’s festival programme and booking details, visit the website at pigtown.ie and look out for updates on instagram, facebook and twitter.
#pigtownlimerick