The annual Armagh Food and Cider Weekend will take place from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 September, returning the city and surrounding orchards to the centre of a four-day programme of tasting, dining and immersive experiences celebrating the county’s centuries‑old apple and cider heritage.
PGI Bramley apple at the heart of the festival
Organisers say the weekend will place the spotlight on the region’s signature ingredient, the PGI‑protected Armagh Bramley Apple, grown across more than 4,000 acres of orchards. The programme brings together established family growers, cider makers, chefs and artisan producers with a mixture of high‑end curated ticketed events and open activities aimed at couples, families and food enthusiasts.
“PGI‑protected Armagh Bramley Apple”
Among the headline offerings are the return of the Woodland Supper on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September, hosted by the Chapman family of On the Hoof. The event will present a four‑course feast cooked over applewood on the edge of Gosford Forest Park, bringing a culinary focus to the local wood and orchard environment.
Orchard experiences and hands‑on masterclasses
Long Meadow Cider, a long‑standing family orchard and cider producer in the area, will run a series of orchard experiences throughout the weekend. Their planned activities include Cocktails & Canvas on Thursday 3, an Orchard Hooley on Friday 4 and an Apple Picking Tour & Harvest Lunch on Sunday 6, offering visitors a practical insight into life on a working Armagh orchard.
Also scheduled is a premium Cooking with Fire experience on Sunday, a hands‑on masterclass in open‑fire cooking which culminates in a shared barbecue feast, and a range of artisan markets and immersive dining opportunities.
Evening entertainment and niche events
Armagh Cider Company will stage an immersive Murder Mystery – Cider & Screams on Friday 4 September, where guests will be asked to assume the role of detectives while sampling local cider and a three‑course meal provided by Hidden Gem. The mix of family‑friendly daytime events and ticketed evening experiences aims to broaden the appeal of the weekend across different age groups and tastes.
- Dates: 3–6 September
- Key ingredient: Armagh Bramley Apple (PGI)
- Featured producers: Long Meadow Cider, Armagh Cider Company
- Highlight events: Woodland Supper, Cooking with Fire, Orchard Hooley, Apple Picking Tour, Murder Mystery – Cider & Screams
The weekend is described as a celebration of Armagh’s orchard heritage and its internationally recognised craft cider industry. For local growers and small producers the festival provides a platform to reach visitors and to promote the distinct qualities of the Armagh Bramley, noted for its sharp flavour and firm texture.
| Day | Featured activity | Location (example) |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 3 Sept | Cocktails & Canvas | Long Meadow Cider |
| Friday 4 Sept | Woodland Supper; Orchard Hooley; Murder Mystery | Gosford Forest Park; Long Meadow; Armagh Cider Company |
| Saturday 5 Sept | Woodland Supper | Gosford Forest Park |
| Sunday 6 Sept | Cooking with Fire; Apple Picking Tour & Harvest Lunch | Various orchards |
For residents and businesses in Armagh the event represents both a cultural celebration and a commercial opportunity. The blend of family activities, food experiences and ticketed events is likely to attract a mix of local attendees and visitors from further afield, supporting accommodation, hospitality and retail in the city and surrounding villages during the early September weekend.
Details of ticketing, times and locations for individual events are expected to be released by organisers in the coming weeks. Local producers and hospitality operators will watch closely to see how the festival performs this year as it attempts to build on recent attention for Armagh’s food and cider sector.
