Samhain Festival of Food & Culture Puts Irish Food Producers Centre Stage with Neven Maguire & Sophie Morris in the Line Up
Returning for its seventh year, the Samhain Festival of Food & Culture has announced a mouth-watering festival programme line-up for 2025. With much loved Irish Chef Neven Maguire and food entrepreneur, author and online food star Sophie Morris. Both are long-standing ambassadors of Ireland’s local food producers and will join many other Irish food champions for this year’s celebration of food, stories and community.
From Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th November, the historic town of Kells, County Meath will once again host a celebration of Irish food, culture, stories, and community, rooted in the rich culinary heritage of the Boyne Valley.
This year’s Samhain Festival, named as one of 11 food festivals across the world to plan your travels around*, welcomes an exciting line-up of new and returning chefs and producers, alongside thought-provoking talks, unforgettable tastings, and new storytelling events. Highlights include the return of the Red Chapel Series, featuring experiences such as:
Photos by Bang Bang Visual – website here
- ‘Cocktails in the Chapel’ with award-winning drinks writer Oisín Davis
- ‘The Whistler and the Baker’ – a guided whiskey and bites pairing with Boann Distillery and baker Graham Herterich
- ‘Young Buck & Italian Family’ – an artisan cheese tasting and conversation with Michael Thompson and Giorgio Cravero
- “An Ode to Lord Henry” – a conversation and Q&A session between Lord Henry Mount Charles’ son Alex Conyngham and Hot Press Magazine
On the ‘Cooks n Books Stage’, hosted by food writer and presenter Ali Dunworth, guests will enjoy live cooking demonstrations and engaging conversations with leading Irish culinary voices, including Neven Maguire, Graham Herterich, Tara Walker, Conor Halpenny, Aoife McElwain, and Orla McAndrew.
The ‘Scoop & A Yarn Stage’, hosted by food curator Dee Laffan, will offer an intimate and insightful space for storytelling, food culture conversations, and personal food journeys.
Making its festival debut is Seanchóiche – a warm, evocative evening of extraordinary stories told by ordinary people, set against the magical backdrop of Ballinlough Castle.
Back by popular demand is the Samhain Literary Pub Crawl, a cultural ramble through some of Kells’ most characterful pubs. The Samhain Long Table Supper, themed “Food Memories”, will be a centrepiece of the festival, celebrating nostalgia, tradition and Irish seasonal produce in a multi-course dining experience not to be missed.
Also returning is the renowned Sheridans Irish Food Fair, a vibrant showcase of Ireland’s top artisan food and drink producers. Visitors can meet and taste with almost 100 makers from across the island while enjoying the festival’s unique atmosphere.
Family-Friendly Fun & Festival Value
Samhain offers plenty for younger festival-goers, with children’s food education workshops hosted by Agri Aware and The Cool Food School, alongside family-friendly games, music, food trucks, and cultural showcases.
The Samhain Weekend Pass is exceptional value at just €20, offering access to:
- All public festival events on the grounds
- The Sheridans Irish Food Fair
- Cooking demos
- Live music
- Talks, storytelling and more
This all-access pass ensures a memorable experience packed with value for food lovers, families, and culture seekers alike.
Olivia Duff, Samhain Festival Planning Committee: “The 2025 line-up for Samhain Festival is a true celebration of our Irish culture and heritage, providing a magnificent platform to showcase the incredible food and drink producers who are at the very heart of our culinary identity. The programme not only shines a spotlight on their skills, but also offers a vibrant, immersive experience for everyone who shares our passion for great Irish food and drinks.”
For more information, please visit: foodcultureireland.ie
*https://www.cntraveller.in/story/food-festivals-that-map-the-world-through-flavour/
