I've heard there's some foodie things going on in Galway – what's that about?

You heard right, Galway is the European Region of Gastronomy for 2018, and while it now has a title, the region has been famous for its food for years thanks to exciting artisan producers, pure ingredients, great restaurants and incredible natural landscapes from the Atlantic Ocean to the rugged hills.  

The first thing to do is head to Galway city, an urban hotbed of creative culinary skills that has made it a go-to for foodies. Nab a table at Aniar or Loam and you’ll be treated to innovative Michelin-starred cooking with a focus on beautiful, fresh, local ingredients. The cool, colourful and quirky interior of Kai makes a perfect backdrop for wonderful dishes created using produce from local farmers, fishmongers and cheesemakers, while Ard Bia serves up seasonal, gourmet food on the very edge of the River Corrib.

And when it comes to street food this city has it made: try pizza Irish-style at Dough Bros, fish and chips at McDonagh’s and local, on-the-go treats at the Galway Farmers Market on Saturdays and Sundays. Stuck for time? A Galway Food Tour is a great way to walk through Galway’s culinary hotspots.  

To get a full sense of gastronomic Galway, branch out beyond the city and into a landscape defined by crashing waves, rugged tobacco-coloured hills and deep blue lakes. It’s this environment that creates the incredible seafood, beef, mountain lamb and artisan cheese that the county has become so famous for.  

Take a tour of the waterside Connemara Smokehouse and sample its award-winning smoked salmon, trout and tuna; get to know Galway’s incredible natural ingredients up close with a unique foraging experience with Wild Food Mary; or relax with some Killary prawns, organic venison or woodcock at the delightful Fisherman’s pub at Ballynahinch Castle within the wilds of Connemara.

But getting back to 2018 and seeing Galway enjoy the title of European Region of Gastronomy. There are loads of food events taking place throughout the city and county, from festivals to fairs such as the Connemara Mussel Festival (4-6 May), Bia Lover – Festival of Food (16-17 June) and Seafest (29 June-1 July). Check out galwaygastronomy.ie for a full list of events. Enjoy! ]

Any other community members got more suggestions about Galway – European Region of Gastronomy for 2018?

Also, not to miss if you're a chef or a foodie is JP McMahon's Food On The Edge. This is a professional forum and gives chefs and food experts, bloggers etc. a chance to collaborate and get together to discuss the serious and fun side of food production, preparing and the world views on food. Find out more info here at Food On The Edge (www.foodontheedge.ie) 

Also, there is a great foodie walking tour offered by Sheena and Galway Food Tours (www.galwayfoodtours.com).
I can't recommend it enough and it also gives you a good overview of Galway.  

Hope this helps! 
Ginger