ONE of the non-racing highlights of next week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival, Friday, June 24th-Sunday 26th, is the Foodscape Kildare Festival supported by County Kildare Fáilte and Kildare County Council.

The idea is to feature a variety of high-quality restaurants and artisan food producers from Co Kildare and their signature dishes created from locally sourced produce.

Chief executive of the Curragh Derek McGrath said: “The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is the perfect event to showcase Kildare’s food producers, artisans and suppliers who operate, grow or produce their product in this county to a crowd of over 40,000 which are expected over the three-day festival.”

In the Food Paddock area, close to the track, parade ring and Grand Stand, guests can taste the dishes on offer, each dish being priced at €4.

Along with a pig on a spit, dishes will include Moroccan spiced chicken, (doesn’t sound very Kildare but whatever), organic Irish lamb sliders with Knockanore smoked cheese, Lock 13’s Famous Irish potato skins, pulled Prosperous pork in tortilla wraps, buttermilk pannacotta, vanilla and strawberry and salted caramel mousse among a stunning array.

The entertainment across the three day festival will have performances by Mundy, Finbar Furey, Electric Ceili and world class dancer duo Velicity and many more guaranteed to have the crowd dancing. To buy tickets call 045 441205 or visit www.curragh.ie

Strawberries and cream at Stradbally

STRADBALLY Country Markets will host a fundraising strawberry and cream event in conjunction with their weekly market today and next Saturday, June 25th. Please come along to St Patrick’s Hall, Stradbally, Co Laois anytime between 10am-1pm. This event will help to provide much needed resources and specialist services for all Motor Neurone Disease patients and will also increase awareness of this life-limiting illness.

Tea and coffee will be served and a raffle for an organic vegetable hamper and a home baked food hamper will also be part of the day.

Further details from Marian Condren on 086 3850905

Cycle against cancer fundraiser

THE Curragh Racecourse in Newbridge, Co Kildare is the start and finish for the Newbridge Rotary Cycle today to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Prostate Cancer. There will be a 40km and a 90km course, so fun for all the family. It will start at 10am today.