Vote for Westport for ‘Foodie Town of Ireland’

‘Westport and Clew Bay Area’ needs votes for ‘Foodie Town of Ireland’


Áine Ryan

‘WESTPORT and Clew Bay Area’ is among the top ten finalists in the Restaurant Association of Ireland’s competition for the Top Foodie Town of Ireland. Run in conjunction with the Irish Restaurant Awards, and in association with An Post’s Admailer.ie, the award recognises ‘a destination that actively promotes itself through joint promotional activities such as food festivals, gourmet trails or farmers’ markets as well as great dining experiences’.  
“We’re absolutely delighted with this achievement. Now we need everyone’s help (and vote) to make sure Westport and Clew Bay Area wins the overall prize. Voting is online at www.foodietowns.ie, and through special postcards which will be mailed out,” said Stephanie Colombani, of Westport Chamber of Commerce.
Public online voting is live until Sunday, May 18, while judges will visit the town and area on Wednesday, May 14, to meet the committee, led by Ms Colombani and a team of local organisers.  
The winning town will be crowned ‘Foodie Town of Ireland 2014’  at the final of the Irish Restaurant Awards, which will be held in the Double Tree Hilton Hotel, Dublin, on June 9 next.
The winning ‘Foodie Town of Ireland’ is expected to have established a local producer andsupplier network which is utilised and promoted by local businesses.  Plans for future growth and investment into the food and hospitality industry at a local level will also be taken into consideration by judges. Education, training, development and employment will be key components of the ultimate foodie destination.
The top ten ‘Foodie Towns’ of Ireland are Westport & Clew Bay Area, Cork City, Dingle, Galway City, Howth, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Lisdoonvarna - Gateway to the Burren, Loop Head Peninsula and Sligo Town.