Taste Explosion! Monaghan Street Food Fest return

The aroma of sizzling street food, live music, colourful entertainers and thousands of visitors will once again fill the streets of Monaghan Town as the Monaghan Street Food Fest returns this Saturday, August 15.

What began as a modest food festival under a shopping centre marquee has grown into one of the county’s most anticipated annual events, transforming the heart of Monaghan into a vibrant celebration of street food, local producers, live music and family entertainment.

Stretching from Church Square to the Diamond, this year’s festival promises a feast for every sense, with dozens of exhibitors, live cooking demonstrations, roaming performers, children’s activities and a showcase of some of the finest food businesses from Monaghan and across Ireland.

For Festival Co-ordinator and Monaghan Taste Club representative Jenn Gonnelly, watching the festival evolve has been particularly rewarding.

“I’ve been involved since 2018, when the festival moved onto the streets,” she explained. “Before that it was held inside a large marquee, and while that was a wonderful event, bringing it outdoors completely transformed the festival.”

One of the festival’s biggest attractions remains the Castle Leslie Demo Kitchen, where visitors can watch some of Ireland’s best-known chefs and food producers prepare dishes using quality local ingredients.

This year’s line-up includes Trish from Glaslough Chocolate Company (12pm), RTÉ Today chef Jeeny Maltese (1pm and 3pm), Karl Breen of Wild Thyme (2pm), and Kevin Redmond of Andy’s Bar, who will present his popular Foraged & Infused demonstration at 4pm.

But the festival has become about more than just great food.

Throughout the day, colourful street performers ‘Shannon Stilts’ and ‘Marcel So What’ will entertain visitors of all ages, while Monaghan Fire & Civil Protection Service returns with its popular Chip Pan Fire Safety demonstration. Families can also enjoy a children’s treasure hunt and temporary tattoo station in Church Square.

According to Jenn, the festival reflects the remarkable transformation of Monaghan’s food industry in recent years.

She believes the post-pandemic period encouraged many people to rethink their careers.

“People decided they wanted to do something they genuinely loved,” she said, describing the growing number of entrepreneurs who have launched food trucks or set up artisan food businesses centred on quality local produce, often with support from Monaghan County Council and the Local Enterprise Office.

“It’s wonderful to see people turning their passion into successful businesses.”

That entrepreneurial spirit has helped fuel the festival’s continued growth.

While Monaghan has long been recognised internationally for industries such as mushrooms and poultry, Jenn believes today’s food scene tells a much broader story.

“People wanted to love what they do, and that’s created an incredible range of food businesses across the county.”

This year’s festival features 38 exhibitors, including 17 from Monaghan, alongside traders travelling from 10 other counties - a reflection of just how much the event has expanded.

For organisers, attracting visitors from outside the county is just as important as showcasing local producers.

“We want people to come for the festival,” Jenn said. “But we also want them to discover everything else Monaghan has to offer. We have fantastic cafés, restaurants, independent retailers and local businesses throughout the town. Hopefully people stay, explore and come back again.”

The celebrations actually begin on Friday evening, August 14, with the second annual Monaghan Mushrooms-sponsored Long Table Dinner, when Church Square will once again be transformed into a spectacular outdoor dining room.

Local restaurants and food trucks will prepare each course, while guests will enjoy live music and beer and gin tastings hosted by Kevin Redmond of Andy’s Bar.

Jenn described last year’s inaugural dinner as an outstanding success.

“Everyone left saying what an incredible evening it had been,” she said.

At the time of interview, just 15 tickets remained for the Long Table Dinner. Priced at €55 each, they are expected to sell out quickly.

Jenn is also keen to remind people that admission to the Street Food Fest itself is completely free.

“It’s a fantastic family day out.”