Walk this Way!

Kate Ryan of Flavour.ie launches the 2018 summer season of her unique Clonakilty Walking Food Tour. Now in its fourth year, this tasty tour of Clonakilty unwraps the town’s vibrant food culture through a story of history, tradition, innovation and community attracting curious foodies from all over the world keen to meet the real people crafting foods treasured by locals and visitors alike.

Kate Ryan, a food writer and author of “A Taste of West Cork – Artisan Food Guide”, is based in Clonakilty and loves nothing more than to share her knowledge of the local food scene weaving a tale that opens up a world of food stories, skills and traditions that otherwise is lost from view.

Kate says, “The tour puts people in direct contact with those artisan food makers giving people a real sense of where their food comes from, the stories attached to it, the skills needed to create it and also the history around it. Some of the food producers are multi-generational businesses with hundreds of years of history behind them, all have centuries of skills in their hands to make the food for us to eat. Their stories puts the food we buy and eat in a whole new light!

“West Cork has always been at the forefront of the modern Irish food movement. The quality of Irish food is now recognised globally as progressive whilst still holding on to those skills so deeply rooted in tradition and our breath-taking landscape. This new attention in our food culture is fuelling a curiosity in visitors to Ireland who are keen to learn more and understand what makes our food so special.

“Food tourism is now one of the top reasons visitors choose to come to Ireland. On my Clonakilty Walking Food Tour, guests can expect to have a truly authentic experience connecting them to the skilled people in the town who dedicate their lives to creating beautiful things for us to eat.”

Kate’s tour has been approved by Faílte Ireland and is listed on the Wild Atlantic Way website as a Hidden Gem, drawing people into the town looking for a guided culinary experience.  Kate said, “The food scene in Clonakilty continues to grow its foodie credentials. Soon we will be able to add Clonakilty Distillery to the ever growing list of producers in the town.”

From butchers, bakers and bean-to-bar chocolate makers via cheese, ice-cream, craft beer and of course the bustling Clonakilty Farmers’ Market there really is something for everyone to get their taste buds tingling!