In Pics: Taste of Dublin kicks off 20th anniversary in style
The food festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Taking place in association with JYSK, Taste of Dublin has returned to Merrion Square. Laura Woods at the opening of Taste of Dublin 2025, in association with JYSK. Pic: Brian McEvoy
More than 30,000 visitors are expected across the weekend.
A host of well-known faces stepped out to soak up the foodie festivities at Thursday's official launch.
Laura Woods kicked off the celebrations in style. Sarah Morrissey and Rosalind Lipsett at the opening of Taste of Dublin 2025, in association with JYSK. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Faye Shortt, Sarah Morrissey, Rosalind Lipsett, Edward Hayden, Thomas Crosse and Marietta Doran were also spotted.
Taste of Dublin was recently named in the top 25 food festivals in Europe by Big 7, a travel website that specialises in rounding up the best experiences, food and drink spots and activities around the world.
A stellar line-up of Irish and international chefs will feature at Taste of Dublin throughout the weekend. Faye Shortt at the opening of Taste of Dublin 2025, in association with JYSK. Pic: Brian McEvoy
There will also plenty of entertainment for visitors to enjoy.
Commenting at the official opening on behalf of Taste of Dublin, CEO, Equinox Events, Jo Mathews, said: 'We are thrilled to officially open this year's festival and continue our 20th anniversary celebrations. Jo Mathews at the opening of Taste of Dublin 2025, in association with JYSK. Pic: Brian McEvoy
'It's been a wonderful two decades of highlighting the magnificent restaurants, innovative artisan producers and expert chefs from across Ireland and we thank all of those here today who are sharing their creativity and expertise.
'It's a joy to see so many people soaking up the atmosphere and we can't wait to welcome many more across the weekend!' Nina Massey at the opening of Taste of Dublin 2025, in association with JYSK. Pic: Brian McEvoy Edward Hayden at the opening of Taste of Dublin 2025, in association with JYSK. Pic: Brian McEvoy Thomas Crosse at the opening of Taste of Dublin 2025, in association with JYSK. Pic: Brian McEvoy Marietta Doran at the opening of Taste of Dublin 2025, in association with JYSK. Pic: Brian McEvoy Norah Casey at the opening of Taste of Dublin 2025, in association with JYSK. Pic: Brian McEvoy Ciara Moloney at the opening of Taste of Dublin 2025, in association with JYSK. Pic: Brian McEvoy Rosalind Lipsett at the opening of Taste of Dublin 2025, in association with JYSK. Pic: Brian McEvoy Sarah Morrissey at the opening of Taste of Dublin 2025, in association with JYSK. Pic: Brian McEvoy TJ Hyland at the opening of Taste of Dublin 2025, in association with JYSK. Pic: Brian McEvoy Erica Drum at the opening of Taste of Dublin 2025, in association with JYSK. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Post
9 minutes ago
- Irish Post
Irish Heritage hosts its annual summer concert
THE IRISH Heritage Summer Concert took place in the beautiful surroundings of Leighton House in Holland Park, London. The evening attracted a large attendance and featured performances from flautist Sinead Walsh, pianists Georgina Cassidy and Alfred Fardell, tenor Owen Lucas and violist Eve Quigley. Tenor Owen Lucas (Pics: Malcolm McNally Photography) Irish Heritage is a registered charity whose objective is to advance public education and appreciation of the arts, particularly those of Irish and Anglo-Irish music, arts, literature and drama to the benefit of the community. The next Irish Heritage event in the calendar is a collaboration with the London Yeats Society celebrating the era of William Butler Yeats with an evening of poems and music on October 22. Click here for more information. Scroll down for more pictures from the event... Flautist Sinead Walsh is pictured centre with her mother Catherine and Hannah Seymour (Pics: Malcolm McNally Photography) Pianist Georgina Cassidy and flautist Sinead Walsh (Pics: Malcolm McNally Photography) Irish Heritage committee members Isobel and Margaret Parkinson are pictured with Frances Connolly (Pics: Malcolm McNally Photography) Irish Heritage Chairperson Jim Kirby is pictured with his wife Adelaide and Mary Wilson Mary's parents Ethna and Charles Kennedy founded Irish Heritage in 1974 Irish Heritage Artistic Administrator Tara Viscardi is pictured with Paul Malin and Ruben Padilla (Pics: Malcolm McNally Photography) Helen Holmes, Rosemary Phillips and Irish Heritage Trustee Mary (Pics: Malcolm McNally Photography) See More: Irish Heritage, Summer Concert
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
10 of the best independent bookshops in Ireland
With the rise of virtual stores, mobile-friendly subscriptions and Kindles, these stalwarts maintain that the proof is in the pages. Ireland, for both tourists and locals alike, is something of a Book World. And despite the difficulties one might associate with trying to get people to read––attention spans chief among them––Irish people still love books; choosing them, buying them and reading them. Mercifully, we're at no loss for finding places where all of those things can be done at once. The vast majority of the best bookshops in this country are run by people who also love books. Which is to say that despite bigger book chains' discount prices and huge inventories, Ireland still shines with independents. Lucky enough to have one within walking distance? Consider it your duty to use it, or lose it. Here is a nationwide selection of Ireland's best indies. If we've missed your favourite, do get in touch... Books at One Where? 5 Ellis Workshops, Letterfrack, Connemara, Co Galway (also Louisburgh, Co Mayo) An indie bookshop and social enterprise supporting local artists and authors, Books at One allows the customer to consume excellent coffee and cake while perusing the latest titles, gifts and cards. With cosy indoor seating and a sunny garden-patio, Books at One is perhaps what the term "hidden gem" was made for. Located in a former Quaker workshop behind a Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (now a constituent of Atlantic Technological University) campus, Books at One's Letterfrack location is at the scenic base of the trail leading to Connemara National Park and Diamond Hill. Consider a stroll, if only to work up your appetite. Tertulia Where? 2 The Harbour Mill, The Quay, Westport, Co Mayo As described by the motto daubed onto the shop's walls, Tertulia is "a bookshop like no other," and is named for the act of gathering to discuss literature, arts or current affairs. Focused on community and fostering artistic spaces, Tertulia is a space to relax, listen to some vinyl and discuss films and books (most preferably in the cosy reading nook under the stairs). No Alibis Where? 83 Botanic Avenue, Belfast, Co Antrim No Alibis is a bookshop that is more than the sum of its parts. Though it specialises in crime fiction and American studies publications, its shelves are teeming with all genres, with the possibility of tea being offered at any stage of your perusal. Resplendent with coffee and a reading area, this hidden gem is just a minute's walk from Botanic station. Halfway Up The Stairs Where? La Touche Place, Greystones, Co Wicklow Named for the A.A. Milne poem "Halfway Down" featured in his classic When We Were Very Young, Halfway Up The Stairs is the kind of bookshop any book lover would dream of bringing a little one to. An award-winning children's bookshop with competitive prices, knowledgeable staff and a cosy vibe. Gutter Bookshop Where? Cow's Lane, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 (and 20 Railway Road Dalkey) Continuing with the trend of literary shop names––"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars" appears in Oscar Wilde's play, Lady Windermere's Fan ––Gutter Bookshop is proof that despite economic challenges, physical books will prevail. Opened in the downturn of 2009, Bob Johnston's entire business plan was centred around people's tendency to buy physical books if buying them was part of the pleasure of reading them. We're delighted to say he was exactly right. Charlie Byrne's Where? The Cornstore, Middle St, Galway Charlie Byrne's is one of the best-loved and most famous independent bookshops in Ireland, not to mention a Galway institution. Located in the heart of the city, it stocks over 70,000 pre-loved, new and bargain books on every imaginable subject. As per a recent TripAdvisor review: "I simply could not live in Galway without Charlie Byrne's. It's a labyrinth of bookworm delights, staffed by infinitely patient elves always happy to listen to our ramblings about books." Universal Books Where? Church Lane, Letterkenny, Co Donegal Universal Books sells a myriad; books, records, musical instruments, antiques and various other items, all at exceptionally good deals. Run by David Faughnan since 1996, the shop boasts the kind of genuine quirkiness that tourists dream of. Few stores like this exist anymore, fewer still with Faughnan's eye. The Celtic Bookshop Where? Rutland Street, Prior's Land, Limerick The Celtic Bookshop is a labour of love, curated over decades. Holding volumes on just about every topic you can imagine related to Ireland and other Celtic lands, it specialises in both new and out-of-print books, maps and prints. Located directly across from the Hunt Museum, this is a treasure trove you won't find elsewhere. Little Acorns Books Where? 3-5 Society Street, Derry The largest independent bookstore in the north west of Ireland, Little Acorns holds Irish fiction titles of all genres, as well as both new and used books. Owner Jenni Doherty founded it 15 years ago when all she had was a book stall and a dream. Today, she boasts 60,000 books in a three-storey building. A gem specialising in secondhand and some antiquarian books - and winner of Bookshop Of The Year at the 2025 An Post Irish Book Awards. "We're part of the fabric of their lives..." Congrats to @LittleAcornsBks for winning @Postvox Bookshop of the Year! Watch Jenni's acceptance as she highlights the importance of indie bookshops in our communities. #APIBA #StoriesMakeUs — An Post Irish Book Awards (@AnPostIBAS) January 7, 2025 21 Lavitts Quay, Cork Cork's oldest independent and family-run bookshop, Vibes and Scribes, has been making literary dreams come true for over 30 years now. And as Cork's last remaining independent bookstore, consider this your sign to visit. Artsy, family-run and full of both old and new, this is a space a little different to the rest. And as a regular stop-off for touring authors, you might even spot your favourite while browsing.
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘We want to hear this record so badly' – Sinead O'Connor fans in album plea as global fans jet in for star's anniversary
SINEAD O'Connor fans who have gathered in Ireland for her second anniversary have called for the release of a posthumous album she recorded before her death. Today marks the second anniversary of the passing of the iconic singer's death with fans jetting in from around the world to mark the day in a series of events in Sinead's former home of Advertisement 5 Sinead O'Connor fans are pleading for the release of a posthumous album she recorded before her death. Credit: Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience 5 Sinead O'Connor died in London aged 56 in July 2023 Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 Australian Leigh Peries spent €2,796 to travel to Bray Leigh Peries, who runs Sinead O'Connor Facebook group with over 50,000 members, told how she made the trip from her home in Brisbane, The registered nurse was joined in Bray by other fans who had travelled from the And many of the fans are calling for the release of her final Leigh told The Irish Sun: 'There are so many Advertisement READ MORE IN SINEAD O'CONNOR 'A posthumous album from Sinead would gain massive momentum, and shine a light on her life and other works. We want to hear this record so badly.' The group gathered outside the Irish Rock 'n' Roll Museum in Sinead's image was projected onto the Wall Of Fame outside and fans lapped up displays showing dresses and stage gear worn by Sinead and garments during her career. While the Nothing Compares 2 U singer is well represented at the museum, the visiting Sinead devotees admit they are disappointed at the lack of a statue or memorial to Sinead in her home city. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Leigh said: 'We saw two huge murals of All roads lead to Bray today on Sinead's second anniversary where they will gather outside the singer's former seaside home Montebello at 11am. Sinead O'Connor's exact cause of death is revealed While at 6pm tonight, the international visitors, many of whom met on the Sinead O'Connor Australian Leigh, who is the administrator of the Sinead Advertisement 'LOVED IT SO MUCH' Leigh said: 'We met a young lad whose mum was given a single bed by Sinead, and he grew up sleeping in Sinead's bed. 'He loved it so much, when he left home he took it with him. It's probably a very valuable piece now. 'We met another lady who had worked as a nanny to Sinead's 'There are so many people with Sinead stories in Bray and we love hearing them'. Advertisement The Sinead fans, who describe themselves as "avid followers', plan to ending their Sinead pilgrimage by attending a show by US comedian 'AVID FOLLOWERS' Leigh said: 'We see Rosie as sharing many of Sinead's values.' Mum of two Leigh, spent five thousand Australian dollars (€2,796) on flights, jetting from her home in Brisbane, Leigh said: 'I'm the same age as Sinead and her ten albums represent different parts of my life. Advertisement 'I wasn't able to attend Sinead's funeral so I want to be here for her anniversary. It's wonderful to be able to come to Bray where she lived and meet other Sinead followers who feel the same. 'MORE THAN A SINGER' "Sinead was more than a singer to us. Her values, her honesty and everything she stood for is what draws us in. We aren't fans, that sounds too commercial, we are avid followers. "We celebrate Sinead, not just her music but her spirit and her consistency generosity. We are in love with that persona, and there not many people out there like Sinead.' Irish music icon Sinead O'Connor was found 'unresponsive' at a flat in south-east Advertisement An autopsy later confirmed she died of natural causes. 5 Sinead O'Connor fans at Temple Bar Wall of Fame Credit: Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience 5 Fans of Sinead will gather outside her house for the singer's second anniversary Credit: Getty Images - Getty
