- Taste of Kildare 2026 takes place on the 15th and 16th of August.
- The event celebrates local producers, artisans and food businesses in Kildare.
- Organisers expect strong growth following a successful event last year.
- Food and culinary experiences form a central part of Kildare’s tourism strategy.
- The festival highlights provenance, storytelling and community connections through food.
Taste of Kildarelaunched its 2026 festival today with a panel discussion themed Beyond the Plate. Host Aisling Larkin invited controibtions from speakers including Jacqui McNabb of the Local Enterprise Office Kildare, travel writer Eoghan Corry, chef Gina Daly and Paul Leneghan of Hartes Group. The conversation examined how food creates experiences, stories and community connections that attract visitors.
The panel discussed topics such as emotional links to food, the rise of experiential travel, changes in hospitality and the role of festivals in local economies. It concluded with each speaker sharing their vision for Kildare’s future food story.
Carnel Kelly chair of Kildare county council shared: Last year I came but had to leave for another event. I did not bring my comfortable shoes and I had lunch before I arrived. So this year my note to self was: come hungry, bring comfortable shoes and do not have another event booked. It is going to be an incredible day.
It is not just about eating great food. It is about celebrating our local producers, business owners, bar owners and artisans, those of you who are cultivating our food and reminding us that local is best for sustainability, for our community and for everything that is good. It is about staying local. What could be better than eating local food, drinking local beverages and enjoying this fabulous facility here in Kildare
Enjoy the 15th and 16th of August. The child of Prague is already out. I do not know if we can top last year because the weather was absolutely amazing.
David Kelly, chair of Kildare tourism shared: Food is at the heart of the guest experience. Culinary experience is a core part of the government’s tourism strategy and we have very ambitious numbers. I was delighted to see food and culinary experiences included in that.
The late great Anthony Bourdain said: “Food is everything we are. It is an extension of nationalist feeling, ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your tribe and your brand. It is culture you can taste.” That is what it is. It is more than something on a plate. It is an experience and it relates back to your community, your family and who you are.
We have great producers, hospitality businesses, restaurants and artisans here in Kildare who are all promoting food as a key part of our offering. Food is something we all do 365 days a year, so it is a key selling point for our tourism industry.
We are talking a lot with Fáilte Ireland about further developments in our food offering and food tourism going forward, so watch this space.
Gina Daly content creator shared: I am not a chef. I did not know how to cook until my late 30s. For me, food was always about core memories, coming home from school to my granny’s cooking. People connect with the stories behind the food. Real stories, real life. That is why people engage. Food has guided me through success and difficult times. It creates connection.
Eoghan Corry travel writer shared: Food was not central to travel until relatively recently. Now countries use gastronomy to attract tourists. Well-fed tourists are happy tourists. Ireland was a little late to the table but we have extraordinary ingredients, we are one of the biggest beef exporters in the world. We need to tell those stories better and connect producers, chefs and visitors. Chef-owned restaurants and respect for seasons are driving change.
Jacqui McNabb of Kildare LEO shared: We are building an ecosystem connecting producers, hotels and restaurants. Provenance and authenticity are what people want now. Events like this create those tangible connections.
