The elite of Northern Ireland restaurants have signed up to the first ever restaurant week aimed at celebrating Lough Neagh Eel because eels are tasty.
Lough Neagh Eels have been awarded for their heritage, tradition and authenticity and the inaugural ‘Eel-Eat’ week – which runs from Saturday, June 25 – will culminate in the third annual River to Lough Festival on Saturday, July 2.
Organisers have been overwhelmed by the interest in the event and would welcome any restaurants in Co Armagh yet to get involved to sign up and join this unique celebration.
Eimear Kearney of Lough Neagh Partnership launches the first ever restaurant week celebrating Lough Neagh Eel. Eel-Eat will run in restaurants throughout Northern Ireland from 25 June to 2 July. www.twitter.com/eel_eat #EelsAreTasty
Launching the event, which was attended by newly appointed Minister for Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Michelle McIlveen MLA, Conor Corr of Lough Neagh Partnership, said: “What better way to celebrate our unique product than to dedicate a unique celebration to it.
“We’re tying in our inaugural Eel-Eat restaurant week with the Tourism NI Year of Food and Drink and believe it will be a firm economic driver for the local economy.”
Restaurants in Co Armagh are being urged to sign up to Eel-Eat by Friday, June 10.
Those already participating are: Deanes Eipic and Wee Love Fish, Belfast; The White River Hotel, Toome; Hastings Hotels – Culloden Estate and Spa, Europa Hotel, Slieve Donard Resort and Spa; The Tullylagan Hotel, Cookstown; Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown; Pier 59, Derry~Londonderry; Lime Tree, Limavady; Harrys Bar & Bistro, Cookstown; Café in the Park, Dungannon; Ardmore Restaurant and Beechill Country House Hotel, Derry; Londonderry Arms Hotel, Carnlough; Downshire Arms Hotel, Banbridge; Central Wine Bar, Ballycastle; Truffles Restaurant, Randalstown and The Moody Boar Restaurant, Armagh.
At the end of Eel-Eat on Saturday, July 2, foodies and families will be able to celebrate the delicacy at the River to Lough Festival.
Now in its third year, the family festival will be situated for the first time right in the heart of Antrim at Antrim Castle Gardens. Festivities will run from 12noon until 5pm with a pop-up restaurant, cookery demonstrations and a craft and artisan food market.
To become a participating restaurant in Eel-Eat, email Eimear@discoverloughneagh.com by Friday 10 June.
Eel-Eat is supported by Tourism NI, Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, Food NI and The Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-operative Society.
Picture: Eimear Kearney of Lough Neagh Partnership launches the first ever restaurant week celebrating Lough Neagh Eel. Eel-Eat will run in restaurants throughout Northern Ireland from 25 June to 2 July. www.twitter.com/eel_eat #EelsAreTasty
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