A website aiming to attract gourmet tourists to this island was launched by Good Food Ireland yesterday.
Food and drink accounts for 35 per cent of tourist spend in the State, according to Fáilte Ireland, and tourism bodies are increasingly focusing on this area to gain a competitive edge.
The goodfoodireland.iewebsite allows visitors to plan their food trip around Ireland and to share that itinerary with friends.
The website includes accommodation, restaurants, bars, food producers, cookery schools, food shops, markets and festivals. It also has an online artisan food shop and all producers listed are inspected before being approved.
A sample day trip for the Wicklow area involves a visit and lunch at Tinahely pet farm, followed by a visit to the the Chocolate Garden of Ireland in Tullow. A meal at the family-run A Caviston’s restaurant in Greystones rounds off the day.
A two- day food experience in Cork includes a stop at Ryan’s Arbutus Breads followed by morning coffee at Nash 19.
