Galway’s A Taste of Galway / Blas na Samhna returns this November, bringing with it a month-long celebration of the region’s best food, drink and hospitality. It is all about intimate dinners and themed pop-ups to whiskey and cheese tastings, chef swaps, and global menus rooted in the west of Ireland.
Across the city and county, you’ll find everything from ramen and harvest pop-ups to French and Portuguese-themed evenings, oyster-and-whiskey pairings, cocktail competitions, and seasonal masterclasses in foraging, distilling, smoking and fermentation.
The festivities begin on 31 October with Féasta Fómhair: A Harvest Halloween Feast at the historic St Nicholas’s Church. Curated by chef JP McMahon, this candlelit five-course dinner reclaims the Celtic spirit of Samhain through storytelling and a menu celebrating Galway’s land and sea producers. Féasta Fómhair is organised in conjunction with Gaillimh Ah-Boo! as part of the Home of Halloween festival.
That same night, the party continues across town: The Liquor Lounge hosts a Day of the Dead Halloween Weekend Party with themed cocktails, live music and prizes for best dressed, while The Front Door Pub transforms into the Casamigos Haunted House of Friends with installations, DJ sets and spooky flair. Tom Sheridan’s rounds out the night with its own Haunted House Halloween Party, complete with costume prizes and haunting tunes.
On November 1st, Chef Laura Rosso brings a taste of Brazil with her Special Feijoada Weekend. This is a traditional slow-cooked pork and bean feast, served with music and atmosphere to match. Later that evening, Bread for God will take place at Alma Restaurant in Galway City. 'Bread for God' is a Portuguese tradition with roots in our Celtic heritage, mixing ancient rituals with more recent Christian customs.
From November 3rd, Cava Bodega celebrates International Sherry Week, showcasing the diversity of sherry styles through tapas and pairings. On November 7th, wine lovers can enjoy Meet the Winemaker with Wild Wines & Shared Plates, featuring Lorenzo Dzieduszycki of Fattoria di Sammontana at Little Armorica in Oranmore.
On November 12th in Cava on Middle Street, there will be a Galician-Irish Feast that will bridge the flavours of Galicia and Ireland with empanadas, octopus, pork belly, chorizo stews, croquettes and the famed Santiago tart, all paired with Galician wines.
The Chef Swap arrives on November 15th at Aniar, when Northern Irish chef Melissa McCabe joins forces with Aniar’s own kitchen for a collaborative tasting menu.
By November 20th, things turn cosy with Winter Warmer Wine & Dine at Tom Sheridan’s, a four-course fireside dinner paired with wine and full of seasonal comfort.
On November 21st, Galway’s spirit shines through two unique experiences. Crafts of Samhain at Micil Distillery, pairs Irish whiskey and poitín with local cheeses at the Micil Distillery in the Oslo Bar, Salthill. Cabaret agus Canapés sa gCafé at POTA An Tulach Baile na hAbhann will allow you to enjoy a Connemara-inspired evening of live music, small bites and conversation.
The celebrations continue on November 28th with Blas na Samhna Wild Wines & Tasting Menu at Blackthorn Restaurant, a four-course feast paired with wines from Sas Lauret and other estates.
On November 29th, Spirits of Samhain takes over Micil Distillery, immersing guests in stories, folklore and guided tastings of whiskey, poitín and cream liqueur.
Finally, the festival closes on November 30th with The Italian Job Pop-Up at Aniar, a playful day of deep-fried lasagne, creamy carbonara and whiskey tiramisu, served from 1pm to 8pm.
For full details, tickets and updates, visit www.atasteofgalway.com/events and follow @blasnagaillimhe across social channels.
