Waterford Is Blessed With Many Things..
Just one of those is the amazing food offering available throughout the city and county!
West Waterford Festival of Food is just one of the food festivals that has had to postpone their event this year however they have since developed Festival Spirit - a brand new event which runs from April 23rd-25th. Festival Spirit is a 3-day mini-series of virtual and physically distanced initiatives created to capture a sense of the famous festival.
This Friday on Drive Time with Aoibhin Fallon from 3-6pm, Aoibhin will be celebrating Festival Spirit throughout the show. She'll be chatting to the organisers, some local producers and checking out some of the events that will take place over the weekend to keep the festival alive in our hearts, minds and appetites and to remind us that although things are different there is still so much that we can celebrate and enjoy!
There's also a Lismore Food Company Blackwater hamper, a hamper from Flahavan's and a fab prize of a bottle of Blackwater No. 5 Gin and 2 glasses from Blackwater Distillery up for grabs throughout the show.
As an extra special treat, if you were lucky enough to get your hands on an exclusive Festival Spirit six-course Taste of the Festival meal experience, check out the playlist below designed to listen to while you enjoy your meal tonight, which was specially compiled by Paul Flynn.
Some of the online Festival Spirit events include a Forage and Feast from Land to Sea (a free-to-view stunning film showcasing the adventure of foraging in two of Waterford’s most beautiful landscapes), Cocktail Masterclass presented by Blackwater Distillery & The Old Bank, a Craft Cider Tasting Party presented by Legacy Irish Cider, a Craft Beer Taste Along presented by Mezze & Dungarvan Brewing Company and an online Kids Chocolate Madness Cook Along presented by Judit McNally of Ormond’s Café.
For more info on the festival and all of the events on offer, see westwaterfordfestivaloffood.com, or check out West Waterford Festival of Food on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Festival Spirit - The Playlist
As well as being known for his food, Chef Paul Flynn of The Tannery in Dungarvan is known for his love of music. Here, he has put together a fantastic playlist to help you enjoy your Taste of the Festival meal experience even more! He's also made sure that every artist in the playlist has a connection to Waterford - some of which will surprise you! Enjoy.
Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds.
When Elvis served in the Army in Germany in the 1950s he roomed with Dan O’Flynn from Grattan Square, Dungarvan (no relation).
Elbow - Magnificent (She Says)
Guy Garvey's sister lives in Piltown. He is a good Man with a sweet sweet voice. His lyrics of telling of Northern English everyday life are a things of great beauty.
The La’s - There She Goes
John Power, the guitarist has family in Waterford, not surprising given his surname. My wife and mother were Powers as was my distant and hunky cousin Tyrone, hence the looks.
Donovan - Hurdy Gurdy Man
Donovan apparently holidayed in Woodstown. That’ll do.
Sinead O Connor - This Is The Last Day Of Our Acquaintance
Sinead boarded in Newtown School. An incredible time, imagine waiting for the Lion and the Cobra to emerge.
Boomtown Rats - Someone’s Looking At You
Two of the Rats went to Newtown, not Bob though.
Foo Fighters - Everlong
Nate Mendel, their Bassist recently bought a house in Ardmore. Lessens the chance of me doing it then.
UB40 - Grooving
Recorded one of their albums in West Waterford in the early nineties. They used to have pints in the old Glencairn Inn just beyond Lismore, The Anchor and The Moorings. There are photos hanging to prove it my friends, you just have to come and see.
Fred Astaire - Stepping Out With My Baby
Fred used to Holiday in Lismore Castle. His sister Adele married the Duke of Devonshire who was also the owner of the very famous Chatsworth House.
Kate Bush - Cloudbusting
The great lady’s people are from from Ballyvoile in between Stradbally and Dungarvan. If we never win a hurling final again, that’ll do me.
Gloria Estefan - Con Los Anõs Que Me Quedan
Trevor Doherty from Ballinamult built her Wallaby enclosure. Boom!
O Emperor - PO
A Great Band who happen to be from Waterford. I love, love this song.
Val Doonican - Durham Town
A true waterford legend that hopefully needs no introduction. I’ve always loved this song. It reminds me of growing up in the Square in Dungarvan above the Chemist.
Gilbert O’Sullivan - Nothing Rhymed
A Waterford seventies sensation. A constant on the soundtrack of my house growing up.
Brendan Bowyer - Sarah
As this song suggests he’s so much more than the Hucklebuck.
King Kong Company - My Name Is Now
A cracking dance band, met in the WIT in 1997. I saw them at EP. I’m still on a High.
Danu - County Down
One of the best Irish Traditional bands in the last two Decades. Muireann's voice would make a fellas heart soar.
In Tua Nua - All I Wanted
Leslie Dowdall went to Newtown as well. Some craic there I'd say. I saw them in a Marquee in Whitechurch in the 80s, I was instantly smitten, naturally!
Yung Shakur - Swing
A Waterford hurling saga like you never heard it before, brings a tear of hope to my eye in all sorts of ways.
Liam Clancy - Catch The Wind
He lived In Ring from 1985. A friend of mine was going out with his daughter. He was in the house one day with nobody around, the phone rang. It was Bob “That Bob” ringing up for a chat with Liam .. apparently! This is a beautiful version of Catch The Wind with Donovan.
U2 - 40
The late Dennis Sheehan from Dungarvan was Tour Manager for Led Zeppelin and then for U2 for over 30 years. This song was from ‘live at Red Rocks’ in 1983 . The crowd were slow to join in for the finale. Dennis took the mic from the side of the stage and started singing ‘How Long’ , they finally got going. U2 subsequently conquered America. We all miss Dennis, he was a lovely man.
Led Zeppelin - Ramble On
Robert Plant gave a eulogy at the memorial for Dennis in LA where he died. Nuff said !
The Waterboys - A Man Is In Love
The cover of this 1990 album was taken on the Waltzers in Tramore. I nearly lost my lungs on them many a time. Despite this, it’s the first ride my girls and I go on, they love to watch me screaming. I adore this album. I was in London but home was calling.
Katie Kim - Pause
Dark and beautiful music, this London based musician grew up in Waterford city.
Peter Vogelaar - Lovette
I’m very new to this man. He’s from Ferrybank which is perilously close to Kilkenny but his music is banging.
I’ve been dancing in the kitchen ever since.
Cmat - I Don’t Really Care For You
This lady is going places after a much lauded set on Other Voices. Her Granny is from Dungarvan where all the best Grannies come from.
Chris Doran - Right Here Waiting
What a voice, with the heart and soul of a true Irish entertainer. We shouted loud and proud for him at the Eurovision.
The National - Quiet Light
Ok I admit this is stretching it bit but apparently The National’s PR lady has bought a house in Grange just off the Cork road near Ardmore. After their barnstorming set at All Together Now in 2019 they must have felt the love.
Finbar Furey - Sarah Waits
Finbar and family have had a house in Dunmore East for many years.
Harry Styles - Golden
Harry’s current girlfriend Olivia Wilde has bought a house in Ardmore. Shur aren’t we all Golden in Waterford.
Listen in to Drive Time with Aoibhin Fallon this Friday from 3-6pm for more
