THE BIG SHED - BALLYMALOE FRINGE FESTIVAL 2013

 

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THE BIG SHED

 

Following my first blog about the main Ballymaloe Literary Festival programme I will now focus on the fringe festival.  It’s an unusual festival when the fringe festival takes place in a big shed.  An informal festival opening party on Friday evening in The Big Shed started the party rolling.  Wildside Kitchen served delicious food until late with inspiration from the four corners of the world.  Ballymaloe Bar showcased a selection of Irish Whiskeys from local Middleton Distillery, craft beer from Irish brewers including Eight Degrees Brewing, White Gypsy, West Kerry Brewing Co., and a selection of Sherries.   Some revellers danced enthusiastically to house band ‘The Gardeners’ while others relaxed and enjoyed the convivial atmosphere.



'Olde Musick & Cokery Books' had an unusual stall selling antiquarian and old illustrated sheet music and old cookery books.

On Saturday morning members of the farmers market set up colourful stalls in The Big Shed. Festival goers ate at rustic wooden tables decorated with fresh flowers.  Freshly cooked, organic food was reasonably priced and The Irish Barista Association provided delicious coffee.  Food was provided by Annie’s Roasts, Gubbeen Charcuterie and Cheeses, Volcano Pizzas and many more.  Kids were entertained in Family Corner where there were storytellers, crafts, cupcake decorating and round and round the garden, a scavenger hunt.  The weather stayed fine for the weekend but live music from the West Cork Ukulele Orchestra brought sunshine to The Big Shed

                                              

               Silvia Iglesias Hilara Spanish Food stall served delicious Empanadas and Croquetas
 

The Gubbeen Charcuterie and Cheeses stall was a firm favourite with a tasting plate for 2euro and a large barbecue platter to feed two or three people for 10euro.  My favourite was a tasty crepe filled with egg, cheese and spinach from Lolo’s Breton Crepes.  Delicious!  A pop up garden with a grow it yourself demonstration by Michael Kelly proved very popular.  In these recessionary times people are interested in becoming self-sufficient. 

Master Cooper from nearby Middleton Distillery, Ger Buckley, drew a large crowd on Saturday to his cooperage display.  This provided a rare opportunity to observe the ancient craft of cooperage.

Throughout the weekend there were wine and sherry tastings and also tastings of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey from Middleton Distillery.  William O’Callaghan of Longueville House, Mallow, Co. Cork gave a talk and tasting of their award winning Irish Apple Brandy and Cider.  Sunday night was the final night in The Big Shed and it proved to be the liveliest.  Revellers ate, drank and tangoed until the early hours.   And as one reveller observed The Big Shed would be missed when the festival finished.  And so it was.

 Setting up for Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and Irish Farmhouse cheese tastings.