Ireland's first Harvest Feast will open in Co Leitrim later today. The food festival, to be held throughout the weekend in Drumshanbo, will promote Irish foods produced locally, regionally and nationally.
Supported by Failte Ireland, it is hoped the event will benefit the whole region and become an annual mark in the calendar.
Products will be showcased in a market style environment in the main exhibition area. Talks and seminars on food-related issues and a bio-diversity farm walk along with a wild flower walk will take place in the locality, while venues throughout the town will also host cookery demonstrations by celebrity chef Clodagh McKenna and Bord Bia.
"When I attended the launch for the Harvest Festival in May it was like an unveiling of wonderful regional produce that I hadn't known about," said the chef, food writer and television presenter.
"It was so exciting to see how this region is bursting with fabulous producers, buzzing farmers markets, beautiful restaurants and B&Bs, not to mention the wonderful landscape as you drive in from Dublin. "It is going to be a brilliant weekend packed full of interesting things to do."