Delicious Déise delights: How Waterford Festival of Food brings fun to Dungarvan

From small beginnings nearly two decades ago, the Waterford Festival of Food has grown to become one of Ireland’s finest festivals, writes Joe McNamee

Waterford Festival of Food takes place this year from April 24-26.

It is 7am, Sunday morning, early April in Dungarvan. An azure sky is cloud-free, freshly risen sun already busting a gut to burn off the frosty nip. The large town square at the heart of the West Waterford seaside town is buzzing with market traders, setting up stalls, unpacking wares.

I do the rounds of some of Ireland’s finest food producers: Blaas from Barron’s Bakery; Glenmore Organic Farm free-range eggs; and rare breed free-range pork sausages from Woodside Farm.