Lisdoonvarna bids for Foodie Town of Ireland award

CONNOLLY, Ireland - May 6, 2014 - PRLog -- Lisdoonvarna and the surrounding Burren Region's growing status as a significant food destination has been recognised by the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI), which has named the town as a finalist in its ‘Foodie Town of Ireland’ competition.

Nominated by The Burren Food Trail, Lisdoonvarna Gateway to the Burren has been included as a finalist due to its promotion of locally sourced food, investment in the food sector, and innovative food promotions.

The RAI, in association with Admailer.ie from An Post, have also announced 9 other finalists, including Cork City, Dingle, Galway City, Howth, Kilkenny, Lisdoonvarna, Loop Head, Sligo Town and Westport.

Lisdoonvarna will be visited by representatives from the RAI and An Post this Friday. Combined with a national public voting campaign taking place online at www.foodietowns.ie, both components will carry equal weight in the voting process.

Tina O’Dwyer, Burren Food Trail Co-ordinator commented: "The ‘Foodie Town of Ireland’ award recognises a destination that works together as a community that actively promotes itself through activities such as food festivals and gourmet trails.  The award also values the existence of an established local producer/supplier network which is utilised and promoted by local businesses as well as a true spirit of co-operation between the food enterprises.  Lisdoonvarna and the Burren Region are truly exemplary in each of these areas, which makes it a worthy nominee in the final shortlist”.

She continued: "For example, the Burren Food Trail pioneered the concept of Burren Food Trail Customer Promise, whereby visitors can be assured of meeting staff who are knowledgeable about the Burren Food Story, menus which state the source of local produce, information on local food events, as well as a true commitment to maximise the use of local ingredients in prepared food.  It is also the first Food Trail to feature a Signature Dish as a means of allowing visitors to really ‘taste’ the Burren.  Furthermore, The Burren Slow Food Festival in May has been running for 9 years while the Burren Food Fayre in October celebrates food in the community.  Both festivals offer Burren food producers the opportunity to showcase their wares to the local community and tourists alike. The Burren Food Trail Mondays were launched in 2013, giving locals and visitors a choice of 30 different food activity events around the Burren throughout the summer, representing a true innovation in food tourism.  ."

"Plans for future growth and investment in the local food and hospitality industry are also being taken into consideration by judges. In this regard, work is progressing in relation to the development of a major culinary tourism project in Lisdoonvarna. The Burren Food Emporium, multi-functional food event space, will focus on presenting Irish artisan foods to visitors who travel the Wild Atlantic Way touring route. Using demonstration cookery equipment, the calendar will feature visiting chefs and artisan food producers.

"Other key components of the ultimate foodie destination that judges will be looking for include investment in food education, training, development and employment. The Burren Food Trail grew out of co-operation between The Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark and Burren Ecotourism Network, and both organisations continue to work closely with businesses in the wider Burren area, while the number of people employed in the local food and hospitality sector has also increased in recent years," Ms. O'Dwyer concluded.

You can vote for Lisdoonvarna Gateway to the Burren by visiting www.foodietowns.ie/lisdoonvarna or by special Admailer.ie voting postcards which will be sent out in the region. Voting opens Friday, May 2nd and closes Friday May 16th (via Admailer postcard votes) and Sunday May 18th (online votes).

The winning town will be crowned ‘Foodie Town of Ireland 2014’ at the final of the Irish Restaurant Awards on June 9th, and will receive a prize package worth €5,000 combining an Admailer.ie postcard marketing package and mentorship from senior An Post marketing executives to help raise the profile of their town. The nine runners up will each receive an Admailer.ie prize package to value of €500 each.