A unique food and drink tour will bring Gaeilge into the heart of Ballina’s hospitality scene this September
Ballina is set to celebrate its food, hospitality and Irish language this Culture Night with a unique event that will invite participants to experience the town through Gaeilge.
Camchuairt Bhia & Dí, Béal an Átha (Food & Drink Tour of Ballina) will take place on Friday, 18 September from 5:00pm – 7:30pm, bringing participants on a culinary and cultural journey through some of the town’s local businesses.
Organised by Gnó Mhaigh Eo, the tour will visit The Pizza Pod, Poacher’s Restaurant, Daniel’s Kitchen & Bar and Rouse’s Bar, giving participants the opportunity to sample local food and drink while chatting and enjoying the experience through Irish.
Importantly, the event is open to everyone, regardless of their level of Irish – from those with just a cúpla focal to confident Gaeilgeoirí.
Ann Nic Dhonnacha of Gnó Mhaigh Eo said the event was about making Irish part of everyday experiences and bringing people together. “We are delighted to organise Camchuairt Bhia & Dí as part of Culture Night in Ballina. It is a wonderful opportunity to bring Gaeilge into our local cafés, restaurants and pubs and to show that the Irish language is for everyone. You don’t need to be fluent – a cúpla focal is more than enough to take part. We hope people will come along, enjoy the food and drink, meet others and have a bit of fun using their Irish.”
Mairéad Melody Carr, Manager of Mayo North Tourism, welcomed the initiative and said it was wonderful to see the Irish language being celebrated as a living part of the local community. “It is fantastic to see the range of activity taking place in Ballina to celebrate our language, culture and community. Gaeilge is an important part of our identity and it is particularly encouraging to see it being brought into everyday experiences and our local tourism and hospitality businesses. Events like this give people an opportunity to engage with our language in a relaxed and enjoyable way, while also showcasing the wonderful businesses and hospitality Ballina has to offer.”
Gnó Mhaigh Eo supports the use and visibility of the Irish language among businesses and communities across Mayo, helping to create more opportunities for people to use Gaeilge in everyday life.
The Culture Night event is part of a wider programme of activity celebrating culture and creativity across Ireland and provides a particularly fitting opportunity to showcase the strength of Ballina’s community, hospitality and Irish-language culture.
Places for Camchuairt Bhia & Dí, Béal an Átha are limited and booking is essential. To book, email [email protected].
