Kinsale Gourmet Festival – Ireland 2025

Background & History

The Kinsale Gourmet Festival, now in its 32nd year, is Ireland’s oldest food festival, established in 1976 by the Kinsale Good Food Circle. Held in Kinsale, County Cork, known as Ireland’s gourmet capital, the festival celebrates local seafood, produce, and culinary expertise. Organized by ten award-winning restaurants, it attracts around 5,000 food enthusiasts annually, offering events like the Mad Hatter’s Taste of Kinsale and Fruits de Mer luncheon.

The 2025 edition, set for 10–12 October, will feature champagne receptions, seafood feasts, and culinary tours, reinforcing Kinsale’s status as a top foodie destination along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Event Highlights

• Mad Hatter’s Taste of Kinsale: A costumed food tour led by Alice, Queen of Hearts, March Hare, and Mad Hatter, visiting four venues with dishes from ten Good Food Circle restaurants, 11 October, Actons Hotel, ~$60–$70 USD, pre-booking required.
• Chowder Cook-Off (Cork Heat): Sampling of chowders with brewery tastings, 10 October, Actons Hotel, ~$5.50 USD.
• Opening Reception & Dinner: Champagne reception and five-course “Taste of West Cork” dinner, 10 October, various Good Food Circle restaurants, ~$60–$62 USD.
• Fruits de Mer Luncheon: Four-course seafood meal with lobster, crab, and prawns, 12 October, Actons Hotel, ~$50–$60 USD.
• Culinary Demonstrations: Local chefs showcase techniques, 10–12 October, Festival Dome (speculative), free or ~$5–$10 USD.
• Food Market: Local producers’ stalls, 11–12 October, Short Quay, free.

City

• Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland: A historic port town, 30 minutes from Cork City, known for its vibrant culinary scene, colorful streets, and landmarks like Charles Fort and James Fort.

Main Event Address

• Actons Hotel: Pier Road, Kinsale, Co. Cork, P17 Y067, Ireland (main venue for Mad Hatter’s, Chowder Cook-Off, and Fruits de Mer).
• Additional Venues: Good Food Circle restaurants (e.g., Fishy Fishy, Jim Edwards, Blue Haven), Short Quay (market), and speculative Festival Dome for demos.
• Administrative Contact: Kinsale Good Food Circle, c/o Jim Edwards, Market Quay, Kinsale, Co. Cork, P17 H590, Ireland (inquiries only).
• Note: Full venue list TBD August 2025 at www.kinsalegoodfoodcircle.ie.

Date & Duration

• Dates: 10–12 October 2025 (Friday–Sunday).
• Duration: 3 days.
• Opening Times (Estimated):
  • Friday: 3:00 PM–10:00 PM (Chowder Cook-Off, opening dinner).
  • Saturday: 11:00 AM–10:00 PM (Mad Hatter’s tour, market).
  • Sunday: 12:00 PM–6:00 PM (Fruits de Mer luncheon, market).

Venue / Location

• Actons Hotel: Pier Road, Kinsale (Mad Hatter’s, Chowder Cook-Off, Fruits de Mer).
• Good Food Circle Restaurants: Fishy Fishy (Crowley’s Quay), Jim Edwards (Market Quay), Blue Haven (Pearse St), and others for dinners and tastings.
• Short Quay: Outdoor food market with local producers.
• Speculative: Festival Dome for demos, near Market Quay.
• Note: Venues speculative except for Actons Hotel; confirm at www.kinsalegoodfoodcircle.ie in August 2025.

Contact Information

• Email: info@kinsalerestaurants.com (general and ticketing inquiries).
• Phone: +353 87 167 1004 (Kinsale Good Food Circle, office hours).
• Website: www.kinsalegoodfoodcircle.ie
• Social Media: Follow @KinsaleGoodFoodCircle on Instagram, Facebook, X.
• Ticketing: Purchase via www.kinsalegoodfoodcircle.ie (box office opens June 2025). Contact info@kinsalerestaurants.com for group bookings or accessibility needs.

Ticket Information

• How to Purchase: Buy online at www.kinsalegoodfoodcircle.ie (June 2025). Collect tickets at Actons Hotel from 10 October 2025 (bring confirmation email). In-person purchase at venues (cash/card, full price). Group bookings and accessibility via info@kinsalerestaurants.com. Cancellations until 30 September 2025 (~$5 fee). No refunds after 30 September. Book early for Mad Hatter’s and dinners.
• 2025 Pricing (Estimated, in USD, 1 EUR ≈ 1.17 USD as of August 2025):
  • Chowder Cook-Off: €5 (~$5.50 USD).
  • Opening Reception & Dinner: €55 (~$60–$62 USD).
  • Mad Hatter’s Taste of Kinsale: €50–€60 (~$60–$70 USD).
  • Fruits de Mer Luncheon: €45–€55 (~$50–$60 USD).
  • Free Events: Food market and some demos (reservation may be required).
  • Concession/Student: Limited discounts (~$5 off, ID required).
  • Kids (Under 16): Free for market; paid events 18+ due to alcohol.
• Additional Notes:
  • Prices based on past events (e.g., 2023); 2025 TBD. Free events supported by local sponsors.

Categories

• Cultural & Traditional: Showcases Kinsale’s culinary heritage and seafood.
• Events & Festivals: Weekend-long food festival with diverse events.
• Food & Drinks: Focus on gourmet dining, local produce, and tastings.

Cultural Significance

The Kinsale Gourmet Festival, a cornerstone of Ireland’s culinary scene since 1976, celebrates Kinsale’s status as the “gourmet capital of Ireland.” Hosted by the Kinsale Good Food Circle, it highlights local seafood, produce, and chefs, drawing 5,000 visitors annually. Events like the Mad Hatter’s tour blend fun and fine dining, reinforcing Kinsale’s place on the Wild Atlantic Way and boosting local tourism. Its longevity and focus on quality cement its cultural and economic impact.

Food & Drinks

• Actons Hotel: Snacks, champagne, and meals during events (~$5–$60 USD).
• Good Food Circle Restaurants: Fishy Fishy, Jim Edwards, Blue Haven, and others offer festival menus (~$20–$60 USD).
• Short Quay Market: Free tastings from local producers (e.g., cheeses, seafood).
• Nearby Dining:
  • The Bulman: Scilly, Kinsale (seafood, $15–$30 USD, 10-minute walk).
  • Max’s: Main Street, Kinsale (fine dining, $20–$40 USD, 5-minute walk).
  • Cosy Café: Pearse Street, Kinsale (casual, $10–$20 USD, 5-minute walk).
• Alcohol Policy: Champagne and wines included in ticketed events; no outside alcohol permitted.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly:
  • Short Quay market is free for all ages with supervision.
  • Most events (e.g., Mad Hatter’s, dinners) are 18+ due to alcohol and themes.
• Accessibility:
  • Actons Hotel and Good Food Circle restaurants are wheelchair-accessible with ramps.
  • Contact info@kinsalerestaurants.com for accommodations or ISL events (details August 2025).
  • The free market enhances affordability.

Getting There

• By Air: Cork Airport (ORK, 25 km, 30-minute drive to Kinsale).
• Public Transport:
  • Bus: Bus Éireann Route 226 to Kinsale Town Centre (5-minute walk to Actons Hotel).
• By Car: Paid parking at Kinsale Town Centre (~$1.17 USD/hour, 5-minute walk).
• Rideshare: FreeNow or local taxis from ORK (~$20–$30 USD).

Program Details (Estimated for 2025)

• Confirmed Events:
  • Mad Hatter’s Taste of Kinsale: 11 October, 11:30 AM, Actons Hotel, food tour, ~$60–$70 USD (pre-booking required).
  • Chowder Cook-Off: 10 October, 3:00 PM, Actons Hotel, ~$5.50 USD.
  • Opening Reception & Dinner: 10 October, 6:30 PM, various restaurants, ~$60–$62 USD.
  • Fruits de Mer Luncheon: 12 October, 12:00 PM, Actons Hotel, ~$50–$60 USD.
• Hypothetical Events:
  • Culinary Demos: 10–12 October, Festival Dome (speculative), free or ~$5–$10 USD.
  • Food Market: 11–12 October, Short Quay, free.
• Note: Programme speculative except for confirmed events; full details TBD August 2025 at www.kinsalegoodfoodcircle.ie.

Past Notable Performances

• 2024 Highlights: Mad Hatter’s tour with 11 restaurants, chowder cook-off with local chefs.
• 2023 Highlights: Five-course “Taste of West Cork” dinner, Fruits de Mer luncheon.
• Past Achievements: Running for 45 years, crowned Kinsale, Ireland’s No. 1 Foodie Town in 2018.

Sustainability Initiatives

• Local Sourcing: Emphasizes regional seafood and produce.
• Waste Management: Recycling bins at Actons Hotel and Short Quay.
• Note: 2025 sustainability details TBD; check www.kinsalegoodfoodcircle.ie.

Educational Impact

• Culinary Demos: Free or low-cost sessions on cooking techniques, 10–12 October.
• Chowder Cook-Off: Showcases chef skills, educational for food enthusiasts.
• Community Engagement: The Free market promotes local producers, fostering culinary education.

Cultural Activities

• Food Market: Free tastings at Short Quay, 11–12 October.
• Mad Hatter’s Tour: Costumed culinary walk, 11 October, ~$60–$70 USD.
• Demos: Chef-led sessions, 10–12 October, free or ~$5–$10 USD.
• Historical Tours: Guided walks of Kinsale’s historic sites (~$7–$15 USD, book via info@kinsalerestaurants.com).

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Tickets ($5.50–$70 USD) for Mad Hatter’s and dinners sell out; book via www.kinsalegoodfoodcircle.ie (June 2025).
• Weather Prep: October in Kinsale (45–55°F) is cool and rainy; pack waterproofs and layers.
• Explore Locally: Visit Charles Fort (10-minute drive, $5 USD) or James Fort (5-minute walk, free).
• Public Transport: Use Bus Éireann Smartcard (~$10 USD).
• Festival Info: Check www.kinsalegoodfoodcircle.ie for digital schedules (no app).

Local Attractions

• Charles Fort: Kinsale Harbour (10-minute drive, $5 USD). Historic star-shaped fort.
• James Fort: Kinsale Harbour (5-minute walk, free). 17th-century fort.
• Kinsale Museum: Market Square (5-minute walk, $3 USD). Local history.
• Desmond Castle: Cork Street (5-minute walk, $5 USD). Medieval history.
• Scilly Walk: Coastal trail (10-minute walk, free). Scenic views.

Accommodation Options

• Hotels:
  • Actons Hotel: Pier Road, Kinsale ($100–$200 USD/night, festival hub).
  • Trident Hotel: World’s End, Kinsale ($120–$250 USD/night, 5-minute walk).
• B&Bs: Perryville House, Long Quay ($80–$150 USD/night, 5-minute walk).
• Hostels: Kinsale Hostel, Guardwell ($20–$50 USD/night, 10-minute walk).
• Airbnb: Kinsale apartments ($60–$150 USD/night).
• Booking Tip: Reserve 3–6 months in advance for the October peak.

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at Actons Hotel; nearest hospital is Cork University Hospital (30-minute drive).
• Security: Bag checks at ticketed events; Garda presence.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; optional masks indoors.
• Weather Preparedness: Most events indoors; bring umbrellas for outdoor markets.