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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Samhain Festival of Food and Culture?

Samhain Festival of Food and Culture is the flagship event of The Centre of Food Culture, Boyne Valley, celebrating the rich culinary and cultural heritage of the Boyne Valley and Ireland. The festival features a diverse program, including cooking demonstrations, food tastings, workshops, cultural performances, and family-friendly activities. This year, we are thrilled to partner with Sheridans Irish Food Fair, bringing over 100 artisan producers to Kells for the first time, making it an even bigger celebration of Irish food.

When and where is the festival held?

The festival will be held from November 7th to 10th, 2024, in the historic town of Kells, County Meath, Ireland. Kells transforms into a bustling hub of food and culture, showcasing the best in Irish cuisine.

How can I purchase tickets?

Tickets for the festival can be purchased online through the Centre of Food Culture, Boyne Valley website. While we recommend purchasing event tickets in advance, Sheridans Irish Food Fair tickets will also be available on the day. For full ticketing details, visit Samhain Tickets.

How do I get to the festival?

Kells is easily accessible by car and bus. Buses run regularly from Dublin and nearby towns, making it easy to travel by public transport.

Bus Routes into Kells from Major Towns

From Dublin:

  • Bus Éireann Route 109: This is the main route from Dublin to Kells. Buses leave from Busáras and several stops along O’Connell Street. The route travels through Blanchardstown, Dunshaughlin, and Navan before reaching Kells.

    1. Frequency: Buses operate frequently throughout the day, with a journey time of approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from Dublin city center to Kells.
  • Bus Éireann Route 109A: This bus route is ideal if you’re traveling from Dublin Airport, Dunboyne, or Ratoath. It connects these locations to Kells via Navan.

From Navan:

  • Bus Éireann Route 109 and 109A: Both of these routes also serve the Navan to Kells corridor. Buses leave from Navan town center and travel directly to Kells, with a journey time of around 20 minutes.

From Drogheda:

  • Bus Éireann Route 189: This bus connects Drogheda with Kells, passing through towns like Slane and Navan. The journey takes approximately 1 hour.

From Athboy:

  • Bus Éireann Route 111: This route operates between Athboy and Kells, providing a quick connection of around 20-25 minutes. This bus also serves Trim, making it a useful route for those traveling from there.

From Cavan:

  • Bus Éireann Route 109: The same route that runs from Dublin also continues in the opposite direction to connect Cavan with Kells. The journey takes around 45 minutes from Cavan to Kells.

From Trim:

  • Bus Éireann Route 111: This bus connects Trim to Kells via Athboy, with a journey time of about 35-40 minutes. It’s a direct route for festival-goers traveling from the southern part of Meath.

From Mullingar:

  • Bus Éireann Route 118: This bus route connects Mullingar with Kells, passing through Delvin and Clonmellon. The total journey time is approximately 50 minutes.

From Dundalk:

  • Bus Éireann Route 167: This bus connects Dundalk with Ardee, Collon, Slane, and then Kells. The total journey time from Dundalk to Kells is about 1 hour 20 minutes.

Parking:

We offer a free park-and-ride facility at Kells Business Park A82 E1C6, operating:

  • Saturday, 9th November: 9:45 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Sunday, 10th November: 9:45 AM – 5:00 PM

We highly advise using this option or public transport there is also public parking available around Kells town center but it is limited.

Where can I stay during the festival?

There are numerous accommodation options in Kells and the surrounding areas, including hotels, B&Bs, and guesthouses.

Kells

1. Headfort Arms Hotel

  • Comfortable rooms, restaurant, and spa.
  • Contact: +353 (0)46 924 0063 | headfortarms.ie

2. Teach Cuailgne B&B

3. Birchwood B&B

  • Quiet, rural B&B.
  • Contact: +353 (0)46 924 0081

4. Rockfield B&B

5. Tom Blake House

  • Central location, excellent service.
  • Contact: +353 (0)46 929 3266

6. Church View House

  • Family-friendly guesthouse.
  • Contact: +353 (0)86 407 4395

7. Loughcrew View B&B

  • Stunning views, superb hospitality.
  • Contact: +353 (0)86 842 8392

8. Drumbaragh House

9. Johnsfort, Marianne Cottage

  • Self-catering cottage for short stays.
  • Contact: +353 (0)86 878 6194 | johnsfort.ie

10. Hideaway at Foxhollow

  • Secluded location, modern amenities.
  • Contact: Contact June +353 87 8518553

11. Eureka House

Athboy

1. Darnley Lodge Hotel

2. The Lawrence

  • Boutique hotel with luxurious rooms.
  • Contact: +353 (0)46 948 7001

3. Ruth’s B&B

  • Cozy B&B, ideal for short stays.
  • Contact: Available on Tripadvisor.

Navan

1. Bellinter House Hotel

2. Ardboyne Hotel

  • Comfortable accommodations and dining.
  • Contact: +353 (0)46 902 3119

3. Newgrange Hotel

  • Central location, ideal for leisure or business.
  • Contact: +353 (0)46 907 4100

Navan B&Bs

1. Athlumney Manor B&B

  • Highly rated B&B offering comfortable rooms and excellent service. Located close to Navan town center.
  • Contact: +353 (0)46 902 1411 | Athlumney Manor B&B on Tripadvisor

2. Meadow View B&B

  • Modern accommodations with a peaceful setting. Conveniently located near local attractions and dining.
  • Contact: +353 (0)46 902 2590 | Meadow View B&B on Tripadvisor

3. Ash Cottage

  • Family-run B&B with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and excellent amenities.
  • Contact: +353 (0)46 907 0000 | Ash Cottage B&B on Tripadvisor

4. The Yellow House B&B

  • Quaint B&B with cozy accommodations, close to the town center. Ideal for those looking for a homely feel.
  • Contact: +353 (0)46 902 1970 | The Yellow House B&B on Tripadvisor

5. Killyon Guest House

  • Beautifully appointed guest house overlooking the River Boyne, recommended by the Michelin Guide.
  • Contact: +353 (0)46 902 3826 | Killyon Guest House on Tripadvisor

6. Teltown House B&B

  • Historic B&B located outside Navan, offering a unique experience with rich heritage and scenic views.
  • Contact: +353 (0)46 902 3239 | Teltown House B&B on Tripadvisor

Slane

1. Tankardstown House

2. Conyngham Arms Hotel

Slane B&Bs

1. Rossnaree House

  • A historic country estate offering luxurious accommodations and stunning views of the Boyne Valley. Located close to Newgrange and Slane Village.
  • Contact: +353 (0)41 982 0975
  • Website: rossnaree.ie

2. The Failte B&B

  • A cozy B&B offering comfortable rooms and a welcoming atmosphere. Close to Slane Castle and the Hill of Slane.
  • Contact

What activities are available at the festival?

Samhain Festival offers a wide array of activities for all ages, including cooking demonstrations, food and drink tastings, cultural performances, hands-on workshops, farm walks, long table suppers, afternoon teas, and a bustling food fair. For the full lineup, visit Festival Program.

Are there activities for children?

Absolutely! The festival is family-friendly and includes a variety of activities for children. Highlights include:

  • Cool Food School Workshops on Saturday and Sunday
  • Seed to Super planting event with author Michelle Darmody on Saturday
  • A funfair on-site throughout the weekend
  • Free face painting on Saturday from 11 AM – 4 PM and Sunday from 11 AM – 3 PM

Will there be food available for purchase?

Yes! From artisan food stalls to food trucks, you’ll find a delicious variety of local Irish food at Sheridans Irish Food Fair and throughout the festival. This is your chance to sample everything from traditional Irish dishes to contemporary flavors.

What sustainability measures are in place at the festival?

We are committed to making the festival as eco-friendly as possible. This year, we’re proud to continue our partnership with 2Go Cups, encouraging attendees to use reusable cups for drinks. In addition, we have a no single-use plastic policy and encourage everyone to bring reusable water bottles and containers. Recycling bins will be available throughout the festival to help manage waste responsibly.

How can I contribute to the festival’s sustainability efforts?

You can support our sustainability initiatives by using 2Go Cups or bringing your own reusable items. Please dispose of waste in the appropriate recycling bins, use public transport or carpool, and participate in our sustainability-focused events to learn more about reducing food-related environmental impacts.

Is the festival accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes, the festival strives to be accessible to everyone. Accessible facilities are available, and assistance can be provided upon request. If you have specific needs, please contact us in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Are there ATM facilities available on-site?

While many vendors will accept card payments, we recommend bringing cash as a backup. ATMs are available in Kells town center, just a short walk from the festival venues.

How can I volunteer for the festival?

Volunteers play a key role in making Samhain Festival a success! If you’d like to help with festival activities, please visit our website to fill out the volunteer application form.

Can I participate as a vendor or performer?

We welcome applications from vendors and performers. Please contact our festival team through the website for more details on how to apply and showcase your talents at this year’s festival.

Who can I contact for more information?

For any enquiries, feel free to email us at info@foodcultureireland.ie or reach out to us on social media @foodcultureireland. We’re here to help and look forward to seeing you at Samhain Festival!