Food Cider Festival 2019

THE FIRST PLACE

TASTE OUR TRADITION ARMAGH FOOD & CIDER FESTIVAL

Thursday 19 - Sunday 22 September 2019

VisitArmagh.com

Image courtesy of: Adam and Grace Photography and Assembly Community

NI FOOD AND DRINK EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR, NI TOURISM AWARDS 2019

The world’s best cider? Look no further than Armagh. The finest apples, grown, pressed and fermented the natural way. Our apple juice is world famous too! Thanks to ideal climate and soil conditions, Armagh and apples have belonged together for thousands of years. In 1884 Henry Joseph Nicholson planted 60 Bramley Apple seedlings in the grounds of Crannagael House, just outside Loughgall. Armagh Bramley Apple orchards soon spread around what became known as ‘the orchard county’ and the rest is history.

In this year’s festival, Henry Joseph’s great grandson John and his wife Jane will host several wonderful events in the grounds of Crannagael House, birthplace of the Armagh Bramley Apple, one of only three Northern Irish foods to enjoy celebrated PGI status.

From banquets and cider tastings to food, well-being, art and floral masterclasses and artisan markets, the 2019 Armagh Food and Cider Festival promises to be a treat for the senses.

We look forward to welcoming you.

We encourage everyone to drink plenty of water, eat heaps of yummy food and consume alcohol responsibly. We embrace the craft cider way: drink local, drink less & drink better!

When booking use the code foodandciderWIN for your chance to WIN a meal for two!

2 /3 |  Book online // 1 Free event //  Free transport to and from event from local hubs

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Saturday 21 September

Friday 20 September

Thursday 19 September

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS EVENT

VENUE

TIME

Sushi Masterclass

Armagh City Hotel, Armagh

7.00pm - 9.30pm

£35.00



Flash Fiction in the Orchard

Crannagael House, Ardress

7.00pm - 9.00pm

£10.00



Cider Tasting, Irish Tapas and Dessert!

Linen Hill Kitchen & Bar, Banbridge

7.00pm - 10.00pm

£20.00



Orchard Floral Art Demonstration with Yolanda Campbell

Long Meadow Cider Company, Portadown

7.30pm - 9.30pm

£10.00



Armagh Cider, Pizza & Pie

The Vault, Banbridge

8.00pm - 10.30pm

£25.00



Orchard Floral Art Academy with Yolanda Campbell (Advanced)

Long Meadow Cider Company, Portadown

9.30am - 1.30pm

£75.00



Orchard Day Retreat, Ardress

Ardress House, Ardress

10.00am - 4.00pm

£85.00



Orchard Floral Art Academy with Yolanda Campbell (Beginners/ Intermediate)

Long Meadow Cider Company, Portadown

2.30pm - 5.30pm

£40.00



Sundown Open-Air Market

Solitude Park, Banbridge

4.00pm - 9.00pm

Free

1

Bramley Inspired 6-Course Tasting Dinner **

Newforge House, Magheralin

7.00pm - 11.00pm

£70.00



Wine V Cider Dinner

Crannagael House, Ardress

7.30pm - 11.30pm

£50.00

 

Cider Discovery Dinner with Bill Bradshaw

Armagh Cider Company, Portadown

8.00pm - 11.30pm

£40.00

 

Cooking with Fire

On the Hoof at the Keepers Lodge, Gosford Forest Park

9.30am - 4.30pm

£95.00



Snow White Apple Cupcakes for Kids (Suitable for age 8+)

The Market Place Theatre, Armagh

10.00am - 12noon

£15.00



Orchard Halo Woodturning Demonstration & Workshop

Crewcatt Farm, Richhill

10.00am - 1.00pm

£25.00



Art in the Orchard with Deborah Malcomson

Long Meadow Cider Company, Portadown

10.00am - 4.00pm

£45.00



4 /5 |  Book online // 1 Free event //  Free transport to and from event from local hubs

PRICE

ADULT/ CHILD

Sunday 22 September

Saturday 21 September

EVENT

VENUE

TIME

PRICE

ADULT/ CHILD

Blackwell House Blackwell House, Kitchen Cookery Scarva School “Autumn Dinner Party” **

10.30am - 4.00pm

£95.00



Mediterranean Culinary Masterclass

Armagh City Hotel, Armagh

12noon - 3.00pm

£40.00



Urban Orchard Open-Air Market

Shambles Yard, Armagh

12noon - 10.00pm

FREE

1

Discover Ardress Orchard Walking Tour

Ardress House, Ardress

2.00pm - 3.30pm

£8.00/ £4.00



Heritage & Food Walking Tour

Tours depart from The Shambles Yard, Armagh

2.00pm - 5.00pm

£30.00



Armagh Cidery Tour

Armagh Cider Company, Portadown

3.00pm - 4.00pm

£15.00



Real Cider Discovery Tasting with Bill Bradshaw

Groucho’s on The Square, Richhill

4.00pm - 6.00pm

£15.00



Bramley Apple Banquet

Crannagael House, Ardress

7.30pm - 11.30pm

£60.00

 

Beef Baron’s Dinner

Quails@ FE McWilliam 7.30pm - 11.30pm Gallery, Banbridge

£45.00



One Giant Step G-Astronomy Culinary Evening

Armagh Planetarium, Armagh

7.30pm 12midnight

£75.00



Retox - Detox Jazz Brunch

Armagh City Hotel, Armagh

11.00am - 1.00pm

£20.00/ £7.00



The Cook & The Gardener

Crannagael House, Ardress

11.00am - 3.00pm

£25.00



Long Meadow Cidery Tour

Long Meadow Cider Company, Portadown

12.00noon 1.30pm

£20.00



Discover Ardress Orchard Walking Tour

Ardress House, Ardress

2.00pm - 3.30pm

£8.00/ £4.00



Hedgerow Foraging & Eel Cooking & Tasting

Kinnego Bushcraft Centre, Oxford Island

2.00pm - 4.00pm

£10.00



Delightful Desserts at Blend & Batch

Blend & Batch, Banbridge

4.00pm - 7.00pm

£10.00



Foodie Film Night - The Godfather II (Strictly over 18s only)

The Vault, Banbridge

7.30pm - 10.30pm

£20.00



** OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE

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THURSDAY 19 SEPTEMBER SUSHI MASTERCLASS 7.00pm - 9.30pm // £35.00 //  Armagh City Hotel, Armagh Lough Neagh Eel, Ardglass Crab, langoustines, smoked salmon, shellfish and locally grown wasabi will be combined in a taste for the senses. Come along and master the techniques of this Japanese art form. From Temaki to Norimaki, this is a masterclass for those serious about their Sushi! Class includes an Armagh Cider tasting with Sushi food pairing.

CIDER TASTING, IRISH TAPAS & DESSERT! 7.00pm - 10.00pm // £20.00 //  Linen Hill Kitchen & Bar, Banbridge Join us for a tasting evening at Linen Hill along with Armagh Cider Company products. Enjoy sampling their range of ciders including Carson’s Crisp, Madden’s Mellow, Doyle’s Honey, Autumn Berry and Summer Fruits. The ciders will be paired with Irish style tapas and an apple dessert, all inspired by our new autumn/winter menu.

FLASH FICTION ORCHARD IN THE ORCHARD FLORAL ART 7.00pm - 9.00pm // £10.00 //  DEMONSTRATION Crannagael House, Ardress

Set within the atmospheric surroundings of the tepees at Crannagael House, enjoy renditions from selected amateur authors as they read their short works, whilst savouring small bites of locally produced food accompanied by award winning ciders and apple juices. See visitarmagh.com/foodandcider if you wish to submit work.

WITH YOLANDA CAMPBELL

7.30pm - 9.30pm // £10.00 //  Long Meadow Cider Company, Portadown Florist, teacher, demonstrator and RHS Chelsea Gold Medallist Yolanda Campbell will demonstrate how to create a number of floral displays under the theme “inspired by nature. ” A raffle of completed floral displays will take place at the end of the evening.

ARMAGH CIDER, PIZZA & PIE 8.00pm - 10.30pm // £25.00 //  The Vault, Banbridge Enjoy a great combination of local ciders specially matched with our tasty wood fired pizzas and finishing off with a selection of Armagh Bramley apple themed desserts.

6/ 7 |  Book online // 1 Free event //  Free transport to and from event from local hubs

JOHN WHYTE ARMAGH CITY HOTEL

Sushi with an Armagh twist, a masterclass in Mediterranean cooking and a retox brunch with jazz - it takes a versatile chef to mastermind such a diverse range of foodie events. Just as well John Whyte, head chef at the Armagh City Hotel, has versatility in his DNA. Voted ‘Hotel Chef of the Year’ at the 2019 Institute of Hospitality John will be putting a local stamp on the sushi masterclass using superb locally grown wasabi (Japanese horseradish used in the paste that accompanies sushi), local fish, such as smoked Lough Neagh eel and pollan, and Northern Irish Dulse (seaweed) mixed with Japanese Nori seaweed. Long Meadow Apple Cider Vinegar will be used with rice wine vinegar to prepare the sushi rice.

On the Saturday Armagh goes Italian as John hosts a three-hour Mediterranean masterclass, making pastas and raviolis and barbecuing marinated steaks. A classic Italian tiramisu will complete the meal.

“

When I am training the young chefs just out of college I want them to put a face to the people who supply us with this fabulous food,” he says.

“T he visitors from overseas who stay with us want to taste local culture, not the food they are used to at home, so I try to instil in my chefs how important it is we use our fantastic local produce and how proud they should be of it.

” VisitArmagh.com

LONG MEADOW CIDER COMPANY PORTADOWN

There are few more beautiful places to be than the famous apple orchards of Armagh as harvest season begins. And if you’re of an artistic bent, nowhere more inspirational either. That is the thinking behind a series of special events at the Long Meadow Cider Company orchards during the festival. These include the Orchard Floral Academies and demonstration, Art in the Orchard and Cider tours.

One of the Armagh craft cider pioneers, Pat McKeever runs the multi-award winning Long Meadow Cider Company. His father Peter began the family apple business some 60 years ago with his brothers, supplying cider makers with their apples. In 2012, Pat, along with wife Catherine and son Peter decided to use those (largely Bramley) apples to make their own, now highly acclaimed, cider.

Using a traditional process, they pick the apples in September and October, pressing within 48 hours to preserve the flavour. The fermentation, which takes place over the winter months, is completely natural and, apart from a champagne yeast, only apples are used in the whole process.

Long Meadow (the name of their farm) produces six delicious varieties of cider, as well as wonderful still and sparkling apple juice and their increasingly popular apple cider vinegar.

8 /9 | ď?ż Book online // 1 Free event // ďˆ‡ Free transport to and from event from local hubs

FRIDAY 20 SEPTEMBER ORCHARD FLORAL ART ACADEMY

ORCHARD FLORAL ART ACADEMY

9.30am - 1.30pm // £75.00 //  Long Meadow Cider Company, Portadown

2.30pm - 5.30pm // £40.00 //  Long Meadow Cider Company, Portadown

RHS Chelsea Gold Medallist, Yolanda Campbell will lead this session which is suitable for advanced and experienced flower arrangers.

Be prepared for creativity and pushing the boundaries, as the class will cover new skills and techniques to create modern/contemporary styled designs making use of seasonal plant materials, flowers and foliage. All materials and equipment will be provided, together with morning coffee and a picnic lunch in the orchard.

RHS Chelsea Gold Medallist Yolanda Campbell will lead this class for beginners and intermediates. This is an opportunity to learn how to create stunning contemporary design using seasonal flowers. All materials and equipment will be provided together with afternoon tea.

WITH YOLANDA CAMPBELL (ADVANCED)

ORCHARD DAY RETREAT AT ARDRESS HOUSE 10.00am - 4.00pm // £85.00 //  Ardress House, Ardress Relax and unwind at this retreat right in the heart of the ‘Orchard County’. Enjoy yoga, meditative walks and mindful practices led by experts, all set in the tranquil surrounds of the Ardress House orchards, walks and gardens.

Awaken with invigorating yoga overlooking the Rose Garden. Restore and calm during a unique sound ‘bath’ while sitting under the apple trees.

Enjoy a nourishing breakfast and wholesome lunch, prepared by the Lean Supper Club. There will also be an opportunity for a guided tour of Ardress House, or relax and contemplate in the fragrant Rose Garden.

WITH YOLANDA CAMPBELL (BEGINNERS/INTERMEDIATE)

SUNDOWN OPEN - AIR MARKET 4.00pm - 9.00pm // 1 Solitude Park, Banbridge Solitude Park will be buzzing with this special market specialising in great local produce. An assortment of delicious street foods will be available set against a backdrop of talented musicians to help set the relaxed scene. Join in with family and friends and celebrate all things food and cider!

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FRIDAY 20 SEPTEMBER BRAMLEY INSPIRED

6-COURSE TASTING DINNER 7.00pm - 11.00pm // £70.00 //  Newforge House, Magheralin This special 6-course tasting menu curated

by Newforge House proprietor and head chef, John Mathers showcases the very best of local produce with a particular emphasis on Armagh Bramley Apples and cider. Start the evening with Appletini cocktails and canapés on arrival and relax in the comfortable surroundings of this magnificent 5 star Georgian property.

Overnight accommodation packages are available - book online at newforgehouse.com

WINE V CIDER DINNER

CIDER DISCOVERY DINNER WITH BILL BRADSHAW 8.00pm - 11.30pm // £40.00 //   Armagh Cider Company, Portadown Bill Bradshaw a renowned international photographer, writer and “most importantly” cider enthusiast will be joining forces with award winning Groucho’s Restaurant, Richhill and Armagh Cider Company in this special evening set amongst the apple orchards. Bill will use his knowledge to guide patrons through a range of ciders, which will accompany delicious dishes prepared by Groucho’s head chef Mervyn Steenson, using the very best local ingredients and all served in the atmospheric setting of the former 17th Century Meeting House.

7.30pm - 11.30pm // £50.00 //   Crannagael House, Ardress Wine paired with food is an obvious choice, but this event set among the apple orchards of County Armagh will encourage you to challenge your palate. Local cider producers and wine maker, Alex Graffard founder and owner of Henri Champliau winery in Burgundy will explain their rationale for pairing the selected ciders and wines to each of the specially curated courses, as prepared by Simon Dougan from The Yellow Door. You can decide whether the cider or wine matches each course best. The evening will conclude with musical entertainment by Gypsy’s Wish.

10/11 |  Book online // 1 Free event //  Free transport to and from event from local hubs

JOHN MATHERS NEWFORGE HOUSE

You can be certain that any meal at the 5-Star Newforge House, close to the village of Magheralin, will be special. John Mathers, who runs this multiaward winning Georgian country house (in his family for nearly two centuries) with wife Louise, is an award-winning chef with a passion for the finest local produce.

John learned the chef’s art with Roisin Hendron and Simon Dougan at the Yellow Door in Gilford, before he and Louise renovated the beautiful house in which he grew up. Sensitively restored with elegant period furniture and family antiques, its six bedrooms are named after the wives from each generation of the family.

The meal will reflect the joys of harvest time and the dessert will celebrate the rich local tradition of Armagh Bramley Apple baking. Herbs and vegetables will have made the short journey from John’s garden to the kitchen. He can proudly claim that nearly everything he cooks will come from the gardens or local artisan producers.

“

Irish country house cooking should be about great produce, simply cooked. It is part of our DNA here that we not only source the best ingredients from local suppliers but make the most of our own resources here. We have our own chickens, for instance, and the guests love to feed them and know where their eggs come from.

”

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FIONA CHAPMAN THE RED BUS COMPANY

It promises to be a magical day and one which will expand your culinary skill sets in the most exciting ways! The Red Bus Company’s Fiona Chapman’s masterclass on Cooking with Fire takes place in her garden in the beautiful setting of Gosford Forest Park, not far from Armagh City.

As well as the visual theatre of the fire pit this is a great opportunity to learn various methods of outdoor cooking, make the most of the wonderful local produce and enjoy the unbeatable taste of barbecued meats.

Having the best meats is just part of the story; one of the most important skills to be

learned on the day is how to cook the perfect steak. You will also learn how to clay bake fish in the fire pit and make various rubs and sauces.

A central part of the masterclass will be “On the Hoof”, the Red Bus Company’s famous wood-fired smoker. This is a Second World War army water tank Fiona’s son Rory has converted into a meat smoker, the first of its kind in Ireland. Used in many of the events they host, a range of meats are slowly cooked (up to 14 hours) over native timbers, such as applewood, to create the tenderest result.

“

While our Red Bus, a 1965 London Routemaster, known as Ruby may have been restored and refitted to offer a unique and moveable space for creative events what will never change is the quality of the local produce we serve.

”

1 2 /13 |  Book online // 1 Free event //  Free transport to and from event from local hubs

SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER COOKING WITH FIRE 9.30am - 4.30pm // £95.00 //  On the Hoof at the Keepers Lodge, Gosford Forest Park This amazing one-day course will instruct you on how best to cook with fire! Make a simple smoker, create a fire pit, select the best wood and charcoal, prepare the high quality local produce - meat, fish, rubs and sauces. Cook your own breakfast and a BBQ supper. During the six sessions throughout the day there will be lots of tips and tricks to equip you with the skills needed to prepare your own feast at home.

Musical entertainment will accompany the evening meal.

ORCHARD HALO WOOD TURNING DEMONSTRATION & WORKSHOP 10.00am - 1.00pm // £25.00 //  27 Crewcatt Road, Richhill Experience the art of woodturning and participate in pen making following a demonstration involving apple and local woods. Enjoy a short guided tour of the orchard and nature trail, which incorporates part of the old Armagh /Portadown Railway line, introducing the unique world of apples and animals which live here. Bees have an important role to play, helping to produce a unique flavour of honey and a beekeeping expert will introduce you to this art and its intricacies.

Hot-spiced apple juice and apple tart will conclude the event.

SNOW WHITE APPLE CUPCAKES ART IN THE FOR KIDS (SUITABLE FOR AGE 8+) ORCHARD 10.00am - 12.00noon // £15.00 //  The Market Place Theatre, Armagh Get hands on experience decorating a box of 12 cupcakes to take home. Learn how to pipe buttercream, handle and colour using florist paste and cut sugar paste to top your cupcakes.

Complete your creations by sculpting mini apples, miniature trees and leaves from icing, all inspired by Snow White’s love of this delicious fruit. All materials will be supplied and the tutor is Rosemary Hughes from Rosie’s Country Cottage.

WITH DEBORAH MALCOMSON 10.00am - 4.00pm // £45.00 //  Long Meadow Cider Company, Portadown Art in the Orchard offers a day of creativity combined with great food right in the heart of this working family apple orchard. The workshop, suitable for the complete beginner, budding or seasoned artist will provide the opportunity for participants to apply their creative response to the surroundings - trees, apples and landscape.

Deborah Malcomson, a professional visual artist will guide and support each participant through the process of exploring line, colour and form through a range of media. The event includes morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea and all materials and equipment.

BLACKWELL HOUSE

VisitArmagh.com

SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER KITCHEN COOKERY SCHOOL

“AUTUMN DINNER PARTY” 10.30am - 4.00pm // £95.00 //  Blackwell House, Scarva

Step into award winning 5-star Blackwell House and learn new dinner party cookery skills with acclaimed Proprietor and Chef, Joyce Brownless.

Whether you have a newfound fondness for cooking or are a culinary whizz, a day in the Blackwell House Cookery School will inspire you with tips and new dishes to use and enjoy at home. Using only the very highest quality local produce, you will learn how to cater a tempting Autumnal Dinner Party including slow cooked blade of beef, Bramley Apple crumble cake with proper eggy custard and more.

Overnight accommodation packages are available - book directly through Blackwell House T: +44 (0) 28 3883 2752

URBAN ORCHARD OPEN - AIR MARKET 12noon - 10.00pm // 1 Shambles Yard, Armagh One of the highlights of the festival programme is the all-day, open-air, artisan food and cider market set within the historic city of Armagh.

Enjoy a cider in the Orchard Bar or take a chair in the indoor cocktail lounge where DJ Superfly will play a set especially designed for this event from his Mod/Soul catalogue. Don’t forget to explore the artisan market at your leisure for a deluxe food experience. Spend some time to eat, drink, relax and catch up with friends and family.

DISCOVER ARDRESS ORCHARD MEDITERRANEAN WALKING TOUR CULINARY 2.00pm - 3.30pm // £8.00|£4.00 //  MASTERCLASS Ardress House, Ardress 12noon - 3.00pm // £40.00 //  Armagh City Hotel, Armagh Be transported to sunnier climes and expand your culinary repertoire with this hands-on masterclass hosted by head chef John Whyte.

Recreate some of the best dishes from the different Mediterranean regions. He will show you how to achieve great results using locally sourced ingredients while grilling, boiling, poaching and smoking. Try your hand at making fresh pastas such as tagliatelle and ravioli. Finish the session with lunch, prepared by you and accompanied by a glass of cider or wine.

Explore the picturesque orchards surrounding Ardress House on a guided tour led by National Trust volunteers. Learn why the area is ideal for apple growing and why the honeybee is so important. Enjoy a complimentary sample of MacIvors cider or fresh apple juice.

14 /15 |  Book online // 1 Free event //  Free transport to and from event from local hubs

JOYCE BROWNLESS BLACKWELL HOUSE, SCARVA

It took Joyce and Steve Brownless two years to make Blackwell House a multi award-winning guesthouse (the latest is Guesthouse of the Year 2019 in the Georgina Campbell Awards). It is set in idyllic countryside not far from the historic village of Scarva.

Restoring a beautiful but somewhat down at heels country house into one of Northern Ireland’s most luxurious and hospitable guesthouses takes dedication and passion.

That commitment to excellence extends to every facet of their business like the wonderful breakfasts including delights like wheaten bread made with Armagh Bramley apples and cider from the Armagh Cider Company.

You will get a feel for the Blackwell House ethos at both The Cook & The Gardener event, hosted at Crannagael House and at the Kitchen Cookery School hosted at Blackwell House, where Joyce, a renowned cook, will be sharing her favourite dinner party menu with participants. After tea and coffee with their famous shortbread, Joyce will take guests on a tour of the vegetable gardens and greenhouse to choose ingredients for the meal.

Joyce says,

Image: Joyce Brownless

“

We welcome people from all over the world, from Russia to Japan and the US. T hey all tell us they can’t get this quality of produce at home.

”

VisitArmagh.com

SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER HERITAGE & FOOD WALKING TOUR 2.00pm - 5.00pm // £30.00 //  Tours depart from The Shambles Yard, Armagh The best way to discover The Food Heartland of Armagh City (featured in the top 5 Foodie Destinations of Ireland) and all its many culinary wonders is by joining this special informative historical tour. Visit restaurants to sample our very best local food and drink and hear the stories of our passionate producers. Learn about food pairing ideas from the experts, sample a selection of beverages from the ‘Orchard County’ and beyond and learn of the stories and traditions of this oldest of cities during the 90 minute guided walk.

REAL CIDER DISCOVERY TASTING WITH BILL BRADSHAW 4.00pm - 6.00pm // £15.00 //  Groucho’s on The Square, Richhill Bill Bradshaw, renowned international photographer, writer and most importantly cider enthusiast will take you on a journey of local ciders at a unique tutored cider tasting at Groucho’s on the Square. So many factors affect the taste and flavour of cider, from the varieties of apples used to the soils and climate of where they are grown as well as the methods and techniques used in its final production. Bill will work his way through a number of Armagh Ciders with tasting notes, for you to find out which suits you best.

ARMAGH CIDERY BRAMLEY APPLE TOUR BANQUET 3.00pm - 4.00pm // £15.00 //  Armagh Cider Company, Portadown

7.30pm - 11.30pm // £60.00 //  

Learn about the Armagh Bramley apple and its unique PGI status, the history of Ballinteggart House and Armagh Cider Company. The Troughton family have been growing apples at Ballinteggart for four generations since 1898. The tour will take you through the orchards, the mill and the bottling hall for you to see the complete cider making process ‘from blossom to bottle’, showing the production of their own cider and apple juice. The tour includes tea/coffee, a slice of apple tart and a bottle of cider.

This 5-course culinary adventure created

by The Yellow Door Deli is a treat for guests who simply love great food, delicious ciders and juices, musical entertainment and great company! Hosted at the home of Jane and John Nicholson, whose ancestors planted the first Bramley seedling in County Armagh, you are invited to share the very best of local food. Set amongst the stunning orchards and dining in luxury tepees, this is a foodie’s dream come true!

Evening includes musical entertainment, ciders and wines.

Crannagael House, Ardress

16/17 |  Book online // 1 Free event //  Free transport to and from event from local hubs

CRANNAGAEL HOUSE & THE YELLOW DOOR Armagh, the ‘Orchard County’, is world renowned as the home of the finest Bramley apples and, in recent years, superb craft ciders. But where did it all begin? Four exciting events during the festival will take you to the birth of the legend; Georgian Crannagael House, three miles outside Loughgall.

Back in 1884, Henry Joseph Nicholson from Crannagael House bought 60 Bramley seedling trees to plant here. He bought them from Henry Merryweather in Nottingham, the man who developed the Bramley. The ideal conditions encouraged the planting of other local orchards and the rest is history.

Henry’s great grandson John Nicholson and wife Jane have turned the family house into a much sought after selfcatering guesthouse, still with extensive Armagh Bramley apple orchards.

Pairing up for Food and Cider Festival, Simon Dougan and his multi-award winning team bring Wine V Cider to the venue on Friday night. While Alex Graffard from Henri Champlaiu in Burgundy will pair local ciders and fine wines with the food, Simon will create five courses of (not so) small plates, all featuring wonderful local produce. You judge what drink works best with each course.

The following night, Simon will be cooking for the Bramley Apple Banquet, a five course culinary epic, again accompanied by fine wines and local ciders and again enjoyed in luxury tepees.

Brought up in the Armagh countryside, the baking tradition he inherited from his grandmothers is now reflected in the many breads for which the Yellow Door Deli in Portadown is famous. Just last year they picked up three prizes in the World Bread Awards.

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BARRY SMYTH

MANAGING PARTNER AT YELLOW DOOR DELI It promises to be one of the most unique nights of gourmet dining you’ll ever enjoy and top chef Barry Smyth will be at the heart of it.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the landing on the moon, the Armagh Planetarium will host a cosmically inspired dinner, along with stylish cocktails and fine wines, served in a style befitting space travel! Barry doesn’t want to spoil the surprises on the night, but the former Michelin starred chef has promised it will be a night food lovers will not forget!

Armagh man Barry first tasted success at Roscoff, the internationally renowned restaurant of Belfast food renaissance pioneer Paul Rankin back in the early 90s. Here he learned the value of using the best local produce. He took that a step further at the restaurant, The Oriel he opened in Gilford in 1999. At the Oriel he commissioned various producers to grow vegetables especially for the restaurant and championed local produce.

The word spread quickly and the small village of Gilford suddenly became an important foodie destination. Awarded the highly coveted Michelin Star in 2004 and 2005, something, which remains one of Northern Ireland’s most remarkable culinary achievements.

Image: Barry Smyth

“

I have always been into flavour, Barry says, but when I was younger I was attracted by more complex flavours. As you get older, you develop a taste for simpler flavours and become aware of the power of fresh ingredients. I love the freedom of exploring flavours with such wonderful produce.

”

18 /19 |  Book online // 1 Free event //  Free transport to and from event from local hubs

SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER

SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER

BEEF BARON’S DINNER

RETOX-DETOX JAZZ BRUNCH

7.30pm - 11.30pm // £45.00 //  Quails @FE McWilliam Gallery, Banbridge

11.00am - 1.00pm // £20.00/£7.00 //  Armagh City Hotel, Armagh

A packed meaty menu will celebrate all things bovine, focusing on the best of local beef, bred and butchered by restaurant owners, the Quail family. Head chef Fernando Correa will use variety and creativity with a dash of locally sourced ingredients to make this a mouthwatering, 5-course meal an experience for meat lovers. Prosecco on arrival and musical entertainment will add to the atmosphere.

Additional drinks are available at an extra cost.

Relax and refresh after a busy festival weekend with the Retox-Detox Jazz brunch. Savour a locally inspired, lavish menu featuring cured meats, cheeses, yoghurt, fresh fruits and breads and more to revitalise and restore you whilst listening to the strains of jazz music.

ONE GIANT STEP G-ASTRONOMY CULINARY EVENING 7.30pm - 12midnight // £75.00 //  Armagh Planetarium, Armagh Celebrate 50 years since man first stepped on the moon with an evening of G-Astronomy in Armagh Planetarium. The cosmic inspired, 6-course menu curated by innovator and former Michelin star chef Barry Smith will combine a heady mix of unusual ingredients, flavours, textures and culinary techniques and innovative technology paired with mouth-watering wines and exciting, inventive cocktails. From Honey Caviar and Smoked Onion and Wasabi Foam to Sous Vide Beef Short Rib, this promises to be one-off, interstellar evening for the taste buds!

THE COOK & THE GARDENER 11.00am - 3.00pm // £25.00 //  Crannagael House, Ardress The event is hands-on harvesting and cooking held in the beautiful grounds of Crannagael House. After meeting the owners John and Jane, learn a little of the history of this fascinating Georgian property. Jane, a talented gardener, will take you on a walk of the vegetable and fruit gardens, including the orchards teaching you how to identify, select and gather a selection of plants and fruits plus offering some growing tips. Once you have gathered your ‘crop’ of food, Joyce Brownless, Proprietor and Chef at award winning, 5-Star Blackwell House will help you prepare your plate of food, teaching you cooking methods, complementary flavours and ways to serve. Dine, festival style, under the shelter of luxury tepees in the beautiful gardens.

Ticket price includes a two-course lunch plus a glass of local cider or apple juice.

RETOX- DETOX

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SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER LONG MEADOW CIDERY TOUR 12.00noon - 1.30pm // £20.00 //  Long Meadow Cider Company, Portadown Owned and operated by the McKeever family, experience a guided tour of the Long Meadow orchards. Walking through the orchards, you will learn about the different apple growing systems and pick apples. The guided tour will feature a visit to see the production plant to including apple storage facilities, cider vinegar making, cider press and information on the fermentation process. As part of the tour, visitors will receive a bottle of their choosing from Long Meadow Cider products. The tour includes tea/coffee and slice of apple tart and samples.

HEDGEROW FORAGING, EEL COOKING & TASTING 2.00pm - 4.00pm // £10.00 //  Kinnego Bushcraft Centre, Oxford Island A family friendly event, you can explore the autumn bounty hidden among the grounds of Oxford Island and learn about what can be eaten and how it can be used, both as food or as a medicine. Paying homage to the PGI designated Lough Neagh Eel, the event will teach you how to cook eels on an open fire.

DISCOVER ARDRESS ORCHARD WALKING TOUR 2.00pm - 3.30pm // £8.00 | £4.00 //  Ardress House, Ardress

DELIGHTFUL DESSERTS AT BLEND & BATCH 4.00pm - 7.00pm // £10.00 //  Blend & Batch, Banbridge Join in the festival celebrations as you enjoy a range of desserts and drinks infused and inspired by local ingredients, along with musical entertainment.

FOODIE FILM NIGHT “THE GODFATHER II” STRICTLY OVER 18’S

7.30pm - 10.30pm // £20.00 //  The Vault, Banbridge Classic film and classic pizza – a winning combination! Following on from The Godfather screening at last year’s festival, we continue with the second in the trilogy served with amazing pizza.

2 0/21 |  Book online // 1 Free event //  Free transport to and from event from local hubs

ARMAGH CIDER COMPANY & MERVYN STEENSON, GROUCHO’S ON THE SQUARE The Troughton family have been growing apples in the orchards of 18th century Ballinteggart House since 1898 and Phillip and his wife Helen now have over 80 acres in production, helping to create a much lauded awardwinning artisan cider renaissance in the area. As at last year’s festival the Troughton’s will be launching their Madden’s Orchard Bramble Cider, made with damson plums from their own orchards.

The Cider Discovery Dinner will be held in the early 17th century Meeting House in the Cider Company’s grounds. Having held many uses over the years, it has now been transformed into a tasting venue. Each course as created by Mervyn Steenson, head chef at Richhill gastro pub Groucho’s on The Square, will be paired with one of the Armagh Cider Company’s acclaimed ciders. Bill Bradshaw, cider expert will lead the evening and discuss the differences in ciders.

“

My philosophy is that the better the ingredients, the less you need to do with them in the kitchen. Most of the produce we use is sourced from within four or five miles of the restaurant.

T hat includes specialities of the area, like the beautiful smoked Lough Neagh pollan, just as much as the fabulous craft ciders of Armagh.

”

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JOE QUAIL QUAILS, BANBRIDGE

If you are lucky enough to get tickets for this year’s Beef Baron’s Dinner, you can now be assured your taste buds are in good company. Quail’s Limousin herd from which they obtain their famous beef, has recently won the Best Large Herd (out of over 500 herds!) in Northern Ireland. All their hindquarter beef is dry-aged in their Himalayan Salt Chamber for a minimum of 28 days to ensure extra tenderness and flavour. Products like their beef cheek, homemade gourmet steak burger, and steak burger, all recent Great Taste winners, benefit from this process. Joe says,

“

We can stand by the provenance and quality of every animal we use. Apart from our own animals, we source only from local farmers we know well. T hen it’s down to our team of highly skilled artisans - butchers, deli staff and cooks, many of whom have been with us for decades, who are passionate about their craft.

” 22 /2 3 |  Book online // 1 Free event //  Free transport to and from event from local hubs

GENERAL FESTIVAL INFORMATION We are offering you the chance to WIN a meal for two!

Enter today at visitarmagh.com/foodandciderWIN ACCOMMODATION PACKAGES Local hotels and accommodation providers are offering fabulous festival accommodation packages.

There is a wealth of accommodation available in the area from hotels to boutique guesthouses, cosy bed and breakfasts and more. Weekend and overnight accommodation offers are available to view online visitarmagh.com/foodandcider HOW TO GET HERE Armagh is easily accessible by private and public transport (bus and rail) and is in close proximity to airports, ferries, rail stations and excellent road networks. Dublin 1hr 20 mins//Belfast 45 mins

NORTHERN IRELAND

TRANSPORT TO SELECTED EVENTS Free transport is available (subject to availability) from Portadown and Armagh to selected events as marked. Stops include Richhill, Loughgall and Moy. To book transport please contact Denise Phillips e denise.phillips@marketplacearmagh.com p +44 (0) 28 3752 9600 Ext 3435 All transport must be booked by Monday 16 September 2019

CRAIGAVON

ARMAGH

LARNE BELFAST

BELFAST

LURGAN PORTADOWN

BANBRIDGE

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

DUBLIN

GALWAY

Motorway Dual Carrigeway Rail Network Airport

CORK

Ferry / Port

Please note that during the events, photographers and videographers may be present and will capture images, which may be used on future print, social media, online and for other publicity purposes. If you would prefer that your image was not used for such purposes, please speak directly to staff at the events.

Every care has been taken to ensure accuracy in the completion of the brochure.

All information supplied is accurate at time of print.

VisitArmagh.com

Food Heartla n Armagh

City, Banb

Northern

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ridge & Cra igavon

Ireland

For further information about the Food and Cider Festival and to book tickets, please contact: w visitarmagh.com/foodandcider // e info@visitarmagh.com f /VisitArmagh // t @Visit_Armagh // i VisitArmagh Armagh Visitor Information Centre p +44 [0] 28 3752 1800

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