‘It uplifts the whole place’

Taste of Monaghan has become one of the county’s flagship events, showcasing local food producers, attracting visitors from across the region and giving a welcome boost to businesses in the town, according to Cllr Niamh McCooey.

The Sinn Féin councillor said the festival has gone from strength to strength in recent years and now plays an important role in promoting Monaghan as a food destination.

“It’s hugely important to the town and we’ve seen it grow over the years,” she said.

Cllr McCooey noted how the event has expanded beyond the Courthouse Plaza into the Diamond, creating a vibrant atmosphere, while drawing people into the heart of Monaghan Town.

The festival not only celebrates the county’s renowned food producers but also provides a valuable opportunity for local businesses to benefit from increased footfall, she said.

“It uplifts the whole place.”

She believes Taste of Monaghan reflects the quality of the county’s food sector and helps strengthen Monaghan’s reputation as a destination for locally produced food and hospitality.

Cllr McCooey was co-opted to Monaghan County Council in December 2024 after party colleague Cathy Bennett was elected to Dáil Éireann, having narrowly missed out on election in the local elections earlier that year.

“Born into” an Irish republican household, Cllr McCooey’s father, Danny, was a lifelong activist; while her mother, Pat O’Rawe, served as both a councillor and an MLA in Northern Ireland.

Cllr McCooey said serving on the council has been a rewarding experience.

“I thoroughly enjoy what I do. I’m learning because it encompasses so much: planning, roads, housing… everything.”

For Cllr McCooey, local government is about improving everyday life for communities.

“Politics isn’t about the Dáil or the Assembly. It’s about all those things that help make a community better,” she said.

Representing the largely rural Monaghan Municipal District, she welcomed a number of developments in Monaghan Town, including the proposed Southern Link Road, which is expected to ease traffic congestion, and new private and social housing projects.

“It’s going to be great to see our main county town develop,” she said.

Cllr McCooey remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen local communities, with Taste of Monaghan standing out as one of the county’s premier celebrations of local food, producers and enterprise.