Thousands of visitors attended the Armagh Food and Cider Weekend, a four-day celebration that brought local food, drink and entertainment to venues across the borough from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 September.
The festival was centred on the region’s PGI-status Bramley Apples, as well as its food and drink producers, hospitality businesses and craft cider industry. The programme presented the borough’s produce through a mixture of public events, demonstrations and opportunities to meet and buy from local businesses.
Food, drink and activities across the borough
Visitors were offered a varied programme throughout the weekend, including tasting experiences, orchard tours, demonstrations, workshops and markets. The council said the events were designed to appeal to people of all ages, bringing together food-focused activities with entertainment and opportunities to explore the area’s local produce.
Saturday was particularly busy, with crowds attending a range of free events across the borough. The day’s programme included Artisan Street Markets in both Armagh and Banbridge, where local food producers, crafters, makers and artisan businesses presented their products.
The markets gave visitors the chance to shop locally, sample food and drink and look for handmade gifts. Alongside the stalls, live music and family entertainment helped create a festival atmosphere, while food and drink added to the day’s activities.
The combination of markets, performances and family-focused events meant the weekend offered more than a series of tastings. It also provided a platform for small producers, makers and other artisan businesses connected with the borough’s food, hospitality and craft sectors.
Cider in the City at Shambles Yard
The Saturday celebrations continued into the evening at Cider in the City, held as an open-air event at Armagh’s Shambles Yard.
The event brought together food, drink and live entertainment in a city-centre setting. Visitors could choose from a wide selection of craft ciders, beers and spirits, alongside artisan street food.
Live music and performances continued through the evening, adding to the event’s role as a showcase for local food, drink and entertainment. The Shambles Yard gathering extended the festival programme beyond the daytime markets, tastings and family activities.
Across the weekend, the council’s programme highlighted the links between the borough’s Bramley Apple heritage, orchards, food and drink producers, hospitality sector and craft cider makers. The events also gave visitors opportunities to discover local businesses and products while taking part in public entertainment.
Festival visitors invited to give feedback
People who attended any of the Armagh Food and Cider Weekend events are now being invited to complete a short survey about their experience.
Those who take part will have a chance to win a £100 ABC Gift Card. The feedback request applies to attendees across the programme, including people who visited events in Armagh, Banbridge and other locations across the borough.
The council’s appeal follows a weekend that it described as attracting thousands of visitors, with Saturday’s free events, the two artisan markets and the evening programme at Shambles Yard among the featured parts of the celebration.