Cllr Johnston, A Taste for Public Service

Taste of Monaghan is an opportunity to celebrate the county’s rich food heritage, showcase its outstanding local producers and encourage people to support homegrown businesses, according to Cathaoirleach Alan Johnston.

The Fine Gael man, who previously helped organise the popular food festival between 2015 and 2017, said the event remains an important platform for highlighting the quality of Monaghan’s food sector and the people behind it.

Cllr Johnston believes the county has earned its reputation as one of Ireland’s leading food destinations thanks to its internationally recognised producers, thriving hospitality sector and strong tradition of quality local produce.

“Monaghan County is renowned as a food producing county... we have a lot going for us. We’ve won lots of awards, we’ve got good food and lots of different restaurants to choose from,” he said.

He pointed to household names including Monaghan Mushrooms, Silver Hill Duck and Greenfield Eggs, alongside the county’s growing number of restaurants, cafés and artisan food businesses, saying they all contribute to Monaghan’s reputation as a premier foodie destination.

Having been involved in organising previous Taste of Monaghan events, Cllr Johnston knows first-hand the work that goes into bringing producers, chefs and food businesses together.

“It’s important to keep the Taste of Monaghan going,” he said, encouraging people to support the many local food vendors who take part in the festival and to continue backing small food businesses throughout the year.

A Monaghan Town man “born and bred”, Cllr Johnston said he is proud of the county’s long-standing tradition of food production and the role local businesses continue to play in supporting the local economy.

Cllr Johnston was co-opted to Monaghan County Council in December 2024 following the election of David Maxwell to Dáil Éireann. Since joining the local authority, he has focused on securing investment for the Monaghan area, including improved road infrastructure, additional funding for Monaghan Hospital and recreational projects such as the Convent Lands and the Ulster Canal Greenway. Asked what first drew him into politics, Johnston said it was “essentially to serve the public”. Growing up in a family heavily involved in voluntary and charitable organisations inspired him to give something back to his community, and after returning home to Monaghan following time abroad, he became involved in council committees before taking on the role of councillor.

For Cllr Johnston, events such as Tate of Monaghan, reflect Monaghan’s wider strengths: community spirit, local pride and a food culture worth celebrating.