Giant Eats and Beats Weekend in Newcastle – Bia agus Buillí ar an Chaisleán Nua
Food and music lovers are in for an unforgettable weekend as the Eats & Beats festival returns to Newcastle, County Down on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September 2025.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Mourne Mountains, this two-day festival promises a vibrant celebration of culinary delights, live music, and family-friendly activities.
This year’s festival features an exciting lineup of cookery demonstrations, celebrating the best of local produce and sustainable practices. At the Mourne Flavours Pavilion, festivalgoers will have the opportunity to discover the rich flavours of our region, guided by talented chefs and food experts. The theme for this year’s cookery demonstrations is sustainability, with a focus on sourcing locally produced ingredients to reduce our carbon footprint and support local farmers. Visitors can look forward to learning sustainable cooking practices that can be incorporated into everyday life.
A new addition to the festival this year is the Meet the Producers event, where festivalgoers can connect with local food producers, sample their products, and hear the stories behind the delicious offerings. Visitors can enjoy the finest produce from Mourne Gullion Strangford and across Northern Ireland, including local favourites such as Crawford’s Rock, Killowen Distillery, and NearyNógs.
For those looking for tasty meals on the go, food vendors throughout the festival will be offering a wide variety of snacks and meals, ensuring there’s something to suit every taste while you explore the festival.
Music lovers will also be treated to an array of live performances across two stages: the Homegrown Stage and the World Stage. The Homegrown Stage will feature top local talent, while the World Stage will showcase international acts, offering a diverse mix of genres including folk, blues, rock, and more. Performances include Sasha Samsara, Matt Maginn, Belfast Groove Collective, and The Qua Family. With performances scheduled throughout the weekend, the music will add to the lively and energetic atmosphere.
There will also be plenty on offers for families, with the Kidz Zone, Sensory Hub, and Curious Minds experiences for kids, plus fun Castle Park activities like Pedalo Swans and a Go-Kart Track for all ages.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell, said: “I am delighted that the Eats & Beats Festival is returning to Newcastle in 2025.
“The festival is an excellent opportunity to showcase our award-winning food and vibrant music scene; all set in the stunning surroundings of the Mourne Mountains.
“This year’s event will be even more special, with a range of family-friendly activities and the continued growth of our local food and music culture.”
Beyond the main festival, there are a number of other exciting events to enjoy. The Artisan Market at Newcastle Centre Plaza, also taking place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September, will showcase talented local makers offering everything from handmade jewellery to bespoke home décor and unique souvenirs.
“While you’re at the Festival, be sure to stop by and pick up a one-of-a-kind memento to remember your visit.
To build momentum ahead of the Eats & Beats weekend, the Council has launched a brand-new initiative, Newcastle Restaurant Week, running from 1 to 7 September.
This week-long celebration offers locals and visitors an opportunity to sample the best of local cuisine, with special menus available daily from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 7pm at participating venues. Why not extend your stay and keep the flavour going by rounding off Restaurant Week with the vibrant Eats & Beats Festival?
Chairperson Councillor Philip Campbell continued, “We are also proud that Newcastle Restaurant Week, taking place in the week leading up to the festival, is an integral part of this year’s event.
This initiative supports local businesses by showcasing the town’s best eateries and highlighting the region’s culinary talent, providing a unique opportunity for both residents and visitors to experience the exceptional food Newcastle has to offer.
“Together, these events increase our tourism offering, providing unique opportunities to connect with our community, celebrate our heritage, and create lasting memories.
“Whether you’re a food enthusiast, music lover, or looking for a fun family getaway, the Eats & Beats Festival in Newcastle is the perfect way to spend a weekend.
“Please join us this summer for another season of unforgettable adventures across Newry, Mourne and Down and south Armagh.”
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(An Gaelige).
Bia agus Buillí ar an Chaisleán Nua
Tá deireadh seachtaine dochreidte i ndán do lucht an bhia is an cheoil agus an fhéile Bia agus Buillí ag filleadh ar an Chaisleán Nua, Contae an Dúin, Dé Sathairn 6 agus Dé Domhnaigh 7 Meán Fómhair 2025.
Beidh bia blasta, ceol beo, agus gníomhaíochtaí teaghlaigh le ceiliúradh i rith na féile dhá lá seo a mbeidh radharc álainn na mBeann Boirche mar chúlra aici.
Mar chuid den fhéile i mbliana, spreagfar muid trí thaispeántais chócaireachta a dhéanfaidh ceiliúradh ar rogha na dtáirgí áitiúla agus ar an chleachtas inbhuanaithe. Ag Pailliún Bhlasanna an Mhúrn, beidh deis ag daoine blasanna saibhre na háite a thriail, faoi threoir cócairí cumasacha agus saineolaithe bia. Is é an inbhuanaitheacht téama na dtaispeántas i mbliana, agus leagfar béim ar chomhábhair áitiúla a úsáid leis an lorg carbóin a laghdú agus chun tacú le feirmeoirí áitiúla. Beidh cuairteoirí in ann foghlaim faoi chleachtais chócaireachta inbhuanaithe is féidir a chur i bhfeidhm sa tsaol laethúil.
Beidh imeacht nua ann i mbliana faoin teideal “Buail leis na Táirgeoirí”, mar a mbeidh deis ag daoine bualadh le táirgeoirí bia áitiúla chun samplaí a fháil agus le scéalta a chluinstin faoi na táirgí blasta. Beidh táirgí den scoth ar fáil ó Mhúrna, Sliabh gCuillinn agus Baile Loch Cuan agus ó cheantair eile ar fud an tuaiscirt – bíodh Crawford’s Rock, Drioglann Chill Eoghain, agus NearyNógs san áireamh.
Beidh réimse leathan bia ar fáil ó dhíoltóirí ar fud na féile, ag tairiscint béilí agus sneaiceanna do chách.
Beidh lucht an cheoil sásta go mbeidh ceol beo ar dhá stáitse: an Stáitse Dúchais agus an Stáitse Domhanda. Beidh ceoltóirí áitiúla ar an Stáitse Dúchais, agus ceoltóirí idirnáisiúnta ar an Stáitse Domhanda; agus casfar meascán de sheánraí éagsúla mar cheol tíre, na gormacha, rac-cheol agus eile. I measc na n-ealaíontóirí, beidh Sasha Samsara, Matt Maginn, Belfast Groove Collective, agus The Qua Family ann. Beidh ceol ar siúl i rith dheireadh na seachtaine, ag cur le fuinneamh agus atmaisféar na féile.
Beidh go leor ar fáil do theaghlaigh, fosta, lena n-áirítear Zón na bPáistí, Mol na gCéadfaí, agus na heispéiris do pháistíar a dtugtar Curious Minds. Chomh maith leis sin, beidh gníomhaíochtaí spraíúla ar siúl i bPáirc an Chaisleáin mar a mbeidh na báid troitheán agus rásaíocht chairtíní ar fáil do gach aois.
Dúirt Cathaoirleach Chomhairle Ceantair an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin, an Comhairleoir Philip Campbell, “Tá áthas orm go bhfuil an fhéile Bia is Buillí ag filleadh ar an Chaisleán Nua in 2025. Is deis iontach í an fhéile chun bia ardchaighdeáin an cheantair agus saol bríomhar an cheoil a chur chun tosaigh; agus sin ar fad suite faoi chúlra galánta na mBeann Boirche. Beidh ócáid is fearr agus is speisialta ann i mbliana a chlúdóidh réimse gníomhaíochtaí teaghlaigh agus a léireoidh fás leanúnach chultúr áitiúil an bhia agus an cheoil.”
Beidh imeachtaí iontacha eile ar siúl, fosta, ar imeall na príomhfhéile. Beidh Margadh Ceardaíochta ar siúl ag an Phlás in aice an Ionaid Cuairteoirí ar an Chaisleán Nua, Dé Sathairn 6 agus Dé Domhnaigh 7 Meán Fómhair. Beidh ceardaithe áitiúla i láthair chun seodra lámhdhéanta, maisiúchán tí saincheaptha, agus cuimhneacháin uathúla a roinnt. Buail isteach le linn na féile chun píosa speisialta a roghnú mar chuimhneachán ar do chuairt.
Chun an fhéile Bia & Buillí a chur chun cinn, tá tionscnamh nua seolta ag an Chomhairle a thugtar Seachtain Bhialanna an Chaisleáin Nua air. Beidh sé sin ar siúl idir 1 agus 7 Meán Fómhair. Beidh roghchlár speisialta ar fáil ó 11rn go 2in agus ó 5in go 7in gach lá sna bialanna rannpháirteacha chun deis a thabhairt do dhaoine áitiúla agus cuairteoirí bia áitiúil a bhlaiseadh le linn na seachtaine ceiliúrtha seo. Cén fáth nach gcuirfeá fad le do chuairt agus deireadh deas blasta a chur le Seachtain an mBialann ag féile bhríomhar Bia is Buillí?
Lean an Comhairleoir Philip Campbell ar aghaidh: “Tá muid bródúil fosta gur cuid lárnach d’imeacht na bliana seo Seachtain Bhialanna an Chaisleáin Nua, a bheidh ar siúl sna laethanta roimh an fhéile féin.
“Tacaíonn an tionscnamh seo le gnólachtaí áitiúla trí aird a dhíriú ar na bialanna is fearr sa bhaile agus trí bhuanna cócaireachta an cheantair a léiriú, agus tugann sé deis ar leith do chónaitheoirí agus do chuairteoirí blaiseadh a fháil de bhia den scoth atá ar fáil ar an Chaisleán Nua.”
“Feabhsaíonn na himeachtaí seo ár dtairiscint turasóireachta; cruthaíonn siad deiseanna faoi leith don phobal aithne a chur ar a chéile, ár n-oidhreacht a cheiliúradh, agus cuimhní buana a chruthú.
“Is cuma cé acu is beadaí nó duine mór ceoil thú, nó más rud é go bhfuil saoire spraíúil teaghlaigh uait, is í an Fhéile Bia is Buillí ar an Chaisleán Nua an dóigh is fearr le deireadh seachtaine a chaitheamh.”
“Bí linn an samhradh seo le haghaidh séasúr eile d’eachtraí dochreidte ar fud cheantar an Iúir, Mhúrn, an Dúin agus Ard Mhacha Theas”
