Top travel and food writers and bloggers from Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and India – with a combined readership of more than 2 million – have been visiting Northern Ireland, to learn about our burgeoning food and drink scene. Their visit was arranged by Tourism Ireland in conjunction with Tourism NI.
The journalists’ itinerary saw them explore some of the traditions and tastes unique to Northern Ireland – including a visit to Rademon Distillery in Crossgar, home to Shortcross Gin. They also spent time at Tracey Jeffrey’s kitchen in Killinchy, to learn about Northern Ireland’s traditional breads and to try their hand at baking. The group enjoyed a fishing trip on Carlingford Lough, a cookery lesson at the Mourne Cookery School in Kilkeel and joined in a ‘Trails & Ales’ tour of Castlewellan.
In Belfast, they attended the Belfast Gin Festival at the Elmwood Hall and took part in a walking tour around the Cathedral Quarter, which included a whiskey-tasting experience.
Siobhan McManamy, Tourism Ireland’s Director of Markets, said: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to invite these influential travel and food writers to Northern Ireland. Their articles will be read by more than 2 million people – shining a spotlight on the superb culinary experience on offer in Northern Ireland, as well as some of the many other things to see and do on a holiday here. Food and drink are vital elements of the holiday experience nowadays, so our message is that Northern Ireland is a superb choice for ‘foodies’ everywhere.”
