A Flavour-Filled Weekend at Bangor Castle: Taste at the Castle Celebrates Local Excellence

30th September 2025

Ards and North Down Borough Council was delighted to welcome food lovers from near and far to the stunning grounds of Bangor Castle for the much-anticipated Taste AND at Bangor Castle event this past weekend (27 and 28 September).

The event was a resounding success, showcasing the very best of local food, drink and hospitality. Visitors were treated to a vibrant celebration of culinary talent, with live demonstrations, artisan stalls and tasting experiences that highlighted the rich diversity of producers across the Borough.

Council was especially pleased to host representatives from Good Food Ireland and Tourism Ireland, who joined us for the weekend to experience first-hand the quality and passion of our local food scene. Their presence was a testament to the growing reputation of Ards and North Down as a destination for food tourism.
 
Ards and North Down Borough Council is proud to be the first council in Northern Ireland to partner with Good Food Ireland, marking a significant step in promoting our region’s culinary excellence on a national and international stage.

Adding to the excitement, eight local businesses from Ards and North Down have been shortlisted for the prestigious Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards. This recognition reflects the exceptional standard of produce and innovation coming from our region, and we wish all nominees the very best of luck at the award ceremony this week.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum commented:

"Taste at the Castle was a fantastic celebration of our local food and drink sector. It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the event and to welcome national representatives who are helping to shine a spotlight on our Borough’s producers. Congratulations to all involved and to our Blas nominees – you are putting Ards and North Down firmly on the food map."

Taste at the Castle marked the final event in the Council’s Taste Autumn programme, which ran from Friday 5 to Sunday 28 September and featured a series of food-focused experiences across Ards and North Down. The programme celebrated the Borough’s thriving food scene and brought communities together through a shared love of local produce.

For more information on upcoming events and local producers, explore our website!