Thursday 7 May 2015

Big Fun at the Big Shed

The Kerrygold Ballymaloe Literary Festival of Food and Wine is nearly here... it's now just ten days away. So I wanted to take a moment to give you a taste of what's planned.

You're Invited!

Join us for the LitFest Opening Party from 7.30pm in The Big Shed - there'll be live music, food and drink stalls and great craic. And it's FREE!


Image: @gracebeforemeal on Twitter

The Fringe Festival 

The Fringe Festival in The Big Shed has exploded this year- there's so much on offer over the weekend - free workshops, talks, delicious food stalls, crafts and funky music. 





Entry into the festival this year is €5 per person per day. Children under 12 go free. This will include access to The Big Shed and the fringe programme that will be jam-packed with child friendly activities, crafts, art, music, food, conversation and fun. Anyone who has purchased tickets to any event has free entry. You will be able to pick up your festival entry pass at the Welcome Area on the weekend.


This is just some of what's on offer at the Fringe Festival


  • In the Big Shed we have demonstrations all day including: Ballymaloe classic techniques, seed saving, fermentation, microbreweries, making mozzarella...
  • In the Kerrygold Corner there will be cookery demos all day celebrating butter.

  • In the Family Area you can do arts and crafts, bake cookies, play games...
  • Get your cookery books signed by your food heroes – and bump into others as you stroll around the food, drink and craft stalls.
  • Hang out with your friends at our long tables, bean bags and sofas soak up the atmosphere… and make new friends, whilst enjoying a selection of great food and drinks.
  • Dance the night away to our DJs and live music.


  • Take a guided tour or a leisurely walk around the gardens at Ballymaloe House… or Cookery School. 
  • Enjoy readings and rants in the garden tent.
  • Join Grow it Yourself and Cully and Sully with demos a plenty to inform and inspire.
  • Visit the stunning photography exhibition in the Grain Store.
  • Plant a seed in the glasshouses at Ballymaloe Cookery School -where workshops run every 1/2 hour.

See the full schedule of Fringe events here.

On a practical note: 
  • Shuttle buses will be in operation between Ballymaloe House & Ballymaloe Cookery School throughout the weekend from 09.00 - 19.30
  • Food stalls run from 10am-10pm on the Saturday and Sunday.


Want tickets? 

If you're wanting to attend an event, there are still places on some cookery demonstrations, talks and workshops - check the website as they're selling fast. LitFest.ie

Stop Press...

In our festival brochure there was a misprint - oops! - April Bloomfield's cookery demo is listed as running from 11-12 but it's actually from 9.30-12!... April's just brought out a new book, Eat Your Greens which is taking New York by storm. At last vegetables are moving to the centre of the dinner plate and April is at the forefront of this - so this is an opportunity not to be missed.