- Golden Vale Table launched as a food community initiative led by Visit Ballyhoura.
- The initiative connects farmers, producers, chefs and local people.
- Opening events sold out including Gather in the Forest and Homecoming dinners.
- The programme continues into 2027.
- Golden Vale Table celebrates community growing and local food.
Golden Vale Table has launched as a new food community initiative led by Visit Ballyhoura. The initiative brings farmers, market gardeners, food producers, chefs, hosts and local people together through dinners, farm visits, markets, workshops and shared growing projects. The opening autumn and winter programme takes place in Ballyhoura across North Cork and East Limerick.
The initiative is curated by Ciara O’Brien, owner of Barnahown and a Visit Ballyhoura board member, alongside Anthony O’Toole, a food and tourism design specialist. Golden Vale Table grew from a partnership between Cashel Palace Hotel and Mitchelstowns food producer community which launched artisan food tours earlier this year.
The opening events sold out. At Ballyhoura Farm Escape, Anne and William Drake hosted Gather in the Forest, a long-table supper with Mary O’Farrell of Galtee Valley Catering, Eight Degrees Brewing and food writer Caroline Hennessy. At Barnahown, three Homecoming dinners brought Mitchelstown native Ciara Kenneally, head chef at Carton House, home to cook and share her food and stories.
Ciara O’Brien shared “We want people living here to feel proud of what is on their doorstep, and visitors to understand the Golden Vale through its food and people. These events are just the beginning.”
Norma Kelly shared “We work with local producers every day, and there are wonderful people and stories behind the ingredients we use. Golden Vale Table gives us a way to share that bigger story with our customers.”
