Kildare Town woman chosen as 'food champion' to help kickstart Tourism Ireland's new initiative
Fáilte Ireland yesterday announced the names of eight new emerging food champions for Ireland’s Ancient East, including Judith Boyle(pictured on the right above), the Two Sisters Brewery, Kildare, who will represent the importance of food to tourism and visitors to Ireland.
They will join 14 food champions located in Dublin and the Wild Atlantic Way as part of the Food Tourism Network Development programme. The group will work together with their local community to help build Ireland’s food tourism reputation, sourcing and activating ideas to encourage visitors to stop more, spend more, and stay longer.
Judith Boyle runs Boyle's Bar and Off-Licence in Kildare Town with her sister Susan, and the sisters also brew their own unique type of beer that infuses honey into the taste. The women are keen beekeepers, and they collect honey from their farm to help brew they highly rated Brigid's Ale. Their success in brewing this ale has helped to gain them national attention, and it is likely that it went a long way in getting them chosen to be one of the new ambassadors for Tourism Ireland.
These new food champions were chosen from over 400 nominations following a selection process. The tourism authority had sought nominations for emerging food champions with a resounding passion and belief in Irish food who actively influence and shape the future of Irish cuisine and food tourism in their region.
The focus for the initiative in 2016 is on individuals located in particular from within its two newest brands Ireland’s Ancient East and Dublin – A Breath of Fresh Air with an addition of four new food champions located along The Wild Atlantic Way.
Speaking today, John Mulcahy, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Hospitality, Food & Standards, said;
“There was a phenomenal response in our quest to find Ireland’s food champions. In fact we received over 400 nominations from a diverse group who are members of wider food tourism communities, committed to playing a role in the continuing development of Ireland’s food tourism proposition and reputation from across Ireland – many thanks to both the nominees and nominators for the interest that they have shown.