Eats and Beats Festival on its way

Eats and Beats Festival on its way

23 August 2023

IN only a matter of weeks, food and music fans can look forward to a weekend of fabulous culinary delights and live music at the Eats and Beats festival. 

Set against the stunning back of the Mourne Mountains, Newcastle will host the free Eats and Beats festival on Saturday and Sunday September 2-3.

Providing the best in local food, visitors can enjoy delicious food at the Producers Pavilion, sponsored by Lexus Belfast, with over 20 local and Northern Irish food producers.

People will find some of the finest food and drink on show from Savour Visit Mourne's producers, and experiences such as Killeavy Castle, Mourne Food Adventures and Neary Nogs.

There’ll be a tipple or two on offer from local distilleries and craft breweries. There will be gin, whiskey, and the very best beers from the Killowen Distillery, Mourne Dew Distillery and Whitewater Brewery. 

Visitors can also sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious serving of tasty treats at the cooking demonstrations, celebrating the finest artisan local produce that the region is renowned for over the festival weekend. 

Music lovers can then dance their way around two music stages, which will offer free live performances on the Homegrown and World Stages over the two days.

Newry, Mourne and Dow Council chairwoman Valerie Harte said she was delighted at the festival returning to Newcastle.

“With its incredible backdrop and holiday vibe, Newcastle will provide the perfect location to draw visitors into the district to enjoy the area’s growing food and music culture,” she remarked.

“It is important that the council provides opportunities for our hard-working businesses to showcase themselves to a wide audience. The Eats and Beats festival will be an excellent opportunity to sample our delicious award-winning food, chart-topping music, great drinks, but, above all else, a fantastic time with friends and family.”

She added: “We are especially proud this year that the landscape underpinning our Giant Adventures is part of the 

recently designated Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Geopark.”

A spokesperson for Lexus Belfast said: “Lexus Belfast is delighted to be sponsoring the Producers Pavilion at the 2023 Eats and Beats Festival. 

“As a brand, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and striving towards a sustainable future. Our aim is to help design the future by delivering Lexus electrified vehicles. We are glad to be partnering up with the Eats and Beats Festival, who have sustainability and supporting local businesses at the forefront of the event.”

The weekend’s soundtrack will be played out across two stages from the best in local and international musicians and bands. Expect a mix of rock, gospel, folk, country, blues, and punk from musical talent across the island of Ireland. 

On the Homegrown stage in Donard Park, the two day line-up will see incredible music from acts including The Answer, Ryan McMullan, Lemonade Shoelace, Ria Maguire, and Belfast’s very own Brian Kennedy, who is sure to add to the festival atmosphere. 

Anyone looking for something different can lose themselves in the Basork Balkan Alien Sound and the unmissable sounds of the Streetwise Circus Samba Band. The Reverend Doc and The Flying Squad, and Mirenda Rosenberg will also take to the World Stage.

If anyone is looking for a fun-filled weekend that combines great food, fantastic music, and beautiful scenery, this is a weekend not to be missed.

The full festival line-up and further information on where to stay, eat, as well as things to do, can be found at: https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/whats-on/giant-adventures/eats-and-beats-festival-newcastle.

Information can also be found on @VisitMourne on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. People can also sign up for a free Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion Newsletter delivered monthly to their inbox.