The 2025 Samhain Symposium will provide a unique platform for key voices to come together in shaping the future of food in Ireland.
The Centre of Food Culture Ireland is proud to announce the 2025 Samhain Symposium, taking place on Friday, 7th November at the Headfort Arms Hotel, Kells, County Meath.
This year’s flagship event, themed “Harvesting Connections,” will bring together key voices from across Ireland’s food industry to discuss the development of a coherent national food policy.
The symposium will provide a unique platform for producers, policymakers, educators, researchers and community voices to come together in shaping the future of food in Ireland.
The event will be hosted by acclaimed Irish food and farming journalist Ella McSweeney and will feature a keynote address titled “Connecting the Dots: Pathways towards an Integrated National Food Policy,” by Ruth Hegarty, a leading food policy and sustainable food systems specialist.
Hegarty will be joined for a panel discussion by:
- Dr. Michelle Darmody, an award-winning writer and sustainable food education expert
- Siobhán Ní Ghairbhith of St. Tola Goats Cheese, member of CAIS and the Burren Food Trail
- Kevin Sheridan, co-founder of Sheridans Cheesemongers and Director at the Centre of Food Culture Ireland
In addition to keynote and panel sessions, attendees will participate in round table breakout discussions, offering a platform for all to share their insights, challenges and aspirations. Tickets to the symposium are available here.
Online directory of artisan food producers
Coinciding with this year’s symposium, the Centre of Food Culture will launch Ireland’s first publicly accessible online directory of artisan food producers. This initiative aims to connect artisan and farmhouse food producers, growers, brewers, cider makers and distillers with chefs, consumers and food system stakeholders across Ireland.
Ella Ryan, Development Manager at the Centre of Food Culture Ireland said:
“Our vision is to support a vibrant, creative, sustainable and interconnected food culture in Ireland. This directory is a key step in showcasing the depth of talent and dedication across our food landscape in Ireland, supporting greater connectivity across the industry, particularly between consumers and food producers.”
Producers operating in Ireland are encouraged to register for inclusion in the directory
The Centre of Food Culture Ireland encourages the public to share the initiative with any producers they feel should be represented.
Sheridan’s Irish Food Fair
Following the success of its inaugural year in 2024, the Samhain Festival’s partnership with Sheridans Irish Food Fair, returns for its second year during the Samhain Festival weekend. The Irish food fair welcomed nearly 100 food producers last year and continues to celebrate the very best of Irish artisan food.
A limited number of vendor spaces remain available, and applications are open to food producers across Ireland. The market offers an unrivalled opportunity for producers to engage directly with consumers and share their stories at one of Ireland’s most vibrant food gatherings. Apply for a vendor space here.
For more information, please visit: foodcultureireland.ie
