Galway Food & Craft Festival in Salthill Park

buzz11 · 05-07-2019 3:35pm #1

Tickets €12.50 Students/seniors €10 Child 12 to 17 €7 (children under 12 free)

Parking in nearby Colaiste Einde €5

Anyone going?

GalwayGrrrrrl · 05-07-2019 4:09pm

I didn’t realise you had to pay to get in. Thought it was more like a market. Im definitely not going now!

Cheshire Cat · 05-07-2019 4:19pm

I'll be going tomorrow. Was given two tickets.

GalwayGrrrrrl · 05-07-2019 4:25pm

I think we’ve been a bit spoilt in Galway with so many events like this for free- for example Seafest had a food area with free entry and we’ve lovely markets and music on all the time for free. Would be interested to see if people think this is value for money. I’m not a big foodie but I would have popped in to see it if it was free entry and would probably have bought something while I was there.

ben.schlomo · 05-07-2019 4:58pm

What's your 25 for two adults get you? The privilege if spending more inside. Nah not for me, not when the likes of the Tiny Traders is there every week offering new and interesting options.

Kingp35 · 05-07-2019 5:01pm

I'll be going. I'm not going for the food though, I'm going for the craft beer. I don't think they would be able to sell craft beer at a free event.

flazio · 05-07-2019 5:08pm

Kingp35 wrote: »

I'll be going. I'm not going for the food though, I'm going for the craft beer. I don't think they would be able to sell craft beer at a free event.

Bia Lover in Athenry and the Christmas market both had craft beers if I remember correctly.

ben.schlomo · 05-07-2019 5:32pm

Kingp35 wrote: »

I'll be going. I'm not going for the food though, I'm going for the craft beer. I don't think they would be able to sell craft beer at a free event.

What breweries are there? There's a dearth of information on their website.

youngrun · 05-07-2019 5:59pm

Fairly impressive set up from the outside

Are there food stands or areas to eat in the venue eg food courts?
Very little detail on the web as to whats on offer other than the chef demos

ben.schlomo · 05-07-2019 6:24pm

youngrun wrote: »

Fairly impressive set up from the outside

Are there food stands or areas to eat in the venue eg food courts?
Very little detail on the web as to whats on offer other than the chef demos

They've a cupla photos up on FB. Looks like an indoor tent with vendors and I saw Handsome Burger and a couple of other familiar ones.

bobbyss · 05-07-2019 9:15pm

buzz11 wrote:

Tickets â‚¬12.50 Students/seniors â‚¬10 Child 12 to 17 â‚¬7 (children under 12 free)

buzz11 wrote:

Parking in nearby Colaiste Einde â‚¬5

12 Euro. Is it like some kind of buffet? Eat anything you want?

ChewyLouie · 05-07-2019 9:34pm

Had a look around it this evening around 7.30pm - entry was FREE. The chef demos were over so maybe they allow free entry after those... or maybe the vendors put pressure on them as it was quiet inside.

The signs outside say €10 for adults (so don't buy the €12.50 website tickets!). We were walking up along the side for a look in and thankfully one of the security guards told us it was free entry now at the front gate.

Selection of food trucks - burgers, pizza, burritos, pork, poutine. In the big tent there were lots of small food, drink and craft businesses with stands. Some small samples, generally good quality offerings.

We tried the poutine (not Paddy's), will go for another look over the weekend and try something else but wouldn't pay €10 for entry.

ChewyLouie · 05-07-2019 9:39pm

They've reduced the ticket prices on the website, now €10 adult, €7 student/child/OAP.

xtradel · 05-07-2019 10:12pm

Just looking thru the reviews on the FB page and I noticed a review from Martin O'Donnell who is the chef in the Twelve hotel and who also has a stand there and doing food demos. His glowing review was:

"fantastic food and great demonstrations by passionate chefs"

Posted 22nd June!!

mjp · 05-07-2019 10:46pm

Looks like they trying to create Galway version of taste of Dublin which has been on the go in iveagh gardens for past 10 years. They're really getting off on wrong foot with customers with their failure to mention tickets or cost of entry in any of their advertisements around the city. Seen numerous families walk away from entrance earlier today when down there and we were one of those. Ended up going down to Papa rich in salthill for dinner and and main courses there cheaper than entry cost.
I would be raging with organisers if I was one of vendors demonstrating at event and I'm sure they paid a pretty penny to showcase there. Surely they knew the entry charge before they signed up to event.

ben.schlomo · 05-07-2019 10:57pm

mjp wrote: »

Looks like they trying to create Galway version of taste of Dublin which has been on the go in iveagh gardens for past 10 years. They're really getting off on wrong foot with customers with their failure to mention tickets or cost of entry in any of their advertisements around the city. Seen numerous families walk away from entrance earlier today when down there and we were one of those. Ended up going down to Papa rich in salthill for dinner and and main courses there cheaper than entry cost.
I would be raging with organisers if I was one of vendors demonstrating at event and I'm sure they paid a pretty penny to showcase there. Surely they knew the entry charge before they signed up to event.

Just seems poorly run to me. Their website doesn't mention any of the vendors who are attending, just the 'celebrity' chefs.

GalwayGrrrrrl · 05-07-2019 11:00pm

I’ve seen two of the stalls with photos on Facebook - Galway 2020 volunteer recruitment and a local charity. Neither have anything to do with food or crafts.

06-07-2019 12:58am

Only heard about it as I saw them setting it up during the week when I was going to leisureland. I’d have assumed it was free too and would was considering going for a look but I’m not in Galway this weekend, I’d be rethinking going regardless after hearing it’s paid entry.

at1withmyself · 06-07-2019 8:02am

Would echo most comments here, we were looking forward to it but I can't understand why I'd pay in and then pay again at each stall, it's like paying an entrance fee to eyre square shopping centre??? Maybe if you got vouchers for the equivalent entrance fee to then spend at the stalls it might be worth it.

Going to stick with markets in town I think today where there is no charge.

flazio · 06-07-2019 10:24am

It's competing with a Garden festival in Claregalway as well. Not very well thought out at all.

Bredabe · 06-07-2019 11:39am

ChewyLouie wrote: »

Had a look around it this evening around 7.30pm - entry was FREE. The chef demos were over so maybe they allow free entry after those... or maybe the vendors put pressure on them as it was quiet inside.

The signs outside say €10 for adults (so don't buy the €12.50 website tickets!). We were walking up along the side for a look in and thankfully one of the security guards told us it was free entry now at the front gate.

Selection of food trucks - burgers, pizza, burritos, pork, poutine. In the big tent there were lots of small food, drink and craft businesses with stands. Some small samples, generally good quality offerings.

We tried the poutine (not Paddy's), will go for another look over the weekend and try something else but wouldn't pay €10 for entry.

Was that 'The Great Poutinei', do you know?

wily minx · 06-07-2019 11:42am

It isn't just a few food stalls though. I think the charge is due to the cooking demos, guest chefs, bouncy castle area etc. I think we are pretty spoiled with l our 'free to wonder around' stuff here. As a foodie I'm delighted to see this and I hope it works out for them (they can't be too happy about the weather so far today ðŸ˜•).

cfeeneyinterior · 06-07-2019 12:19pm

Anyone been to the food and craft fair in salthill. Lots of giving out online about the entry fee. Thinking of going tomorrow but wondering if it's worth it?

lion_bar · 06-07-2019 12:35pm

Is there no artisan food producers giving tasters like there is in Bloom?

ChewyLouie · 06-07-2019 12:36pm

Bredabe wrote: »

Was that 'The Great Poutinei', do you know?

No it's Lala Poutine, I think they're mostly based in Dublin.

jammiedodgers · 06-07-2019 1:25pm

€12.50 entry fee to the Food fair apparently. They can go and shíte.

45mhrc7evo1d3n · 06-07-2019 4:36pm

The organisers sold tickets to NUI Galway staff for €8 each on the basis the price of a full price ticket was €15! Yes, €8 was still a reduction on the actual entry cost of €10 but I imagine lots of people bought tickets in advance as they were misled into thinking they were getting almost 50% off. False advertising always leaves a bad taste :mad::(.

Storm 10 · 06-07-2019 8:26pm

I see on the food and craft festival on Facebook there is only praise for the event no negative comments ðŸ€£ðŸ€£ðŸ€£ðŸ€£

cfeeneyinterior · 06-07-2019 8:46pm

Storm 10 wrote: »

I see on the food and craft festival on Facebook there is only praise for the event no negative comments ðŸ€£ðŸ€£ðŸ€£ðŸ€£

Looks to be either 5 stars or 1 stars... Not sure which to believe.... Most recent one is https://www.facebook.com/100000218055171/posts/2793740687309839/
Don't think this will be held next year

Cheshire Cat · 06-07-2019 8:59pm

Miya Repulsive Mouse wrote: »

The organisers sold tickets to NUI Galway staff for €8 each on the basis the price of a full price ticket was €15! Yes, €8 was still a reduction on the actual entry cost of €10 but I imagine lots of people bought tickets in advance as they were misled into thinking they were getting almost 50% off. False advertising always leaves a bad taste :mad::(.

When I first looked into it, approx. 2 weeks ago, regular tickets were €15 online and they were selling Early Bird tickets for €12.50. I think they realised that was too steep and lowered the price. I wonder if those (if any) who paid more got a refund?

ChewyLouie · 06-07-2019 9:04pm

Anyone know if entry was free again this evening after the talks/demos?

45mhrc7evo1d3n · 06-07-2019 9:16pm

Storm 10 wrote: »

I see on the food and craft festival on Facebook there is only praise for the event no negative comments ��

You must be looking at a different FB page to me as I can see plenty of posts with negative comments. Plus, many of the positive posts sound like they’ve been written by someone in the advertising business

. I’m not a cynical person but I have to question the impartiality of those posters.

thecretinhop · 06-07-2019 9:21pm

meanwhile claregalway all was going to charity had a lovely coffe and cake 5.50e. watched some epic mediveal jousting bought a cool lamp got some lovely syrups a ream of veg and some flowers for garden. 10e entry... about 60 stands

cfeeneyinterior · 06-07-2019 9:29pm

Miya Repulsive Mouse wrote: »

You must be looking at a different FB page to me as I can see plenty of posts with negative comments. Plus, many of the positive posts sound like they’ve been written by someone in the advertising business . I’m not a cynical person but I have to question the impartiality of those posters.

This guy must've gone rogue ... ðŸ˜€https://www.facebook.com/1598167941/posts/10217369749147871/

Iamchef.no · 06-07-2019 10:50pm

I heard from one vendor who enquired about having a coffee stall there was quoted nearly a grand for his pitch fee for 3 days!!!

Joe Don Dante · 07-07-2019 12:58am

Iamchef.no wrote: »

I heard from one vendor who enquired about having a coffee stall there was quoted nearly a grand for his pitch fee for 3 days!!!

and rightly so

cfeeneyinterior · 07-07-2019 11:11am

Looks like the good reviews are fake... This one https://www.facebook.com/100000351498117/posts/2459468284074864/ by a guy who 2 hours ago is in Australia! Must have teleport machine

ben.schlomo · 07-07-2019 11:32am

cfeeneyinterior wrote: »

Looks like the good reviews are fake... This one https://www.facebook.com/100000351498117/posts/2459468284074864/ by a guy who 2 hours ago is in Australia! Must have teleport machine

Embarrassing stuff from the organisers.

cfeeneyinterior · 07-07-2019 11:38am

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Embarrassing stuff from the organisers.

Yea, totally. I'd do it myself too I suppose. At least it's a little bit sunnier today

cfeeneyinterior · 07-07-2019 11:39am

Sounds legit... https://www.facebook.com/100001513029371/posts/2443874802339597/

ben.schlomo · 07-07-2019 2:22pm

I see The Village Salthill FB page have distanced themselves from the event too, saying all they've done is advertise it but have no hand, act or part in it.

Cheshire Cat · 07-07-2019 2:27pm

Went down today, not much difference to many free events. Felt sorry for the craft stall holders, they seemed bored out of their tree. Overall fairly quiet. Would be more successful if entry was free or cheaper.
Bought a few treats as I love to cook, but overall rather meh.

07-07-2019 9:28pm

I went to the Bia Lover festive in Athenry and dropped 60 euros at it between numerous stalls and came home with a load of sauces, dips, oils, cakes, cheese etc

That included paying a fiver at the gate for a voluntary raffle which went towards the cost

I have no problem spending a few quid at these things to support the event and the stall owners but the charge at the gate in Salthill put me off even going for a look. If myself and the wife went that would be 25 euro before we even got inside.

Hopefully they can learn a lesson from other events on a smarter way to run things.

I wonder, are the demonstration and talks a draw at these events for people? Personally I never go near them and prefer instead chatting with the people on the stalls.

As it was, this weekend I ended up at tiny traders in Galway city on Saturday and spent my money there instead

Rolllo · 08-07-2019 3:30am

Went down for a look before I realized it was 10 quid in. Not that steep I suppose if you're interested in the demos and whatever else they had on, but I was only there out of curiosity, so I didnt bother. There was droves of people turning away when they saw the price on the gate. I hope they keep going with it but maybe promote it better next time and let people know what they're getting.

Mars Bar · 08-07-2019 8:36am

We got excited when we saw it as we were out for a walk and getting hungry but like a lot of others, we walked away when we saw the price. For 4 of us it would have been 50euro before buying food
At that price you'd be expecting one voucher to spend on any food stall to be honest.

Kingp35 · 08-07-2019 8:53am

Kingp35 wrote: »

I'll be going. I'm not going for the food though, I'm going for the craft beer. I don't think they would be able to sell craft beer at a free event.

I shouldn't have bothered. Galway Hooker and O'Hara's were the only brewers there. There was also a local cider seller. I can now agree that charging in was not a good idea, it was way over priced. Not impressed and I don't think I would go back. The website was very misleading, it needs to actually list what vendors will be at the event.

Storm 10 · 08-07-2019 11:31am

Some guy from the Food Fair on Keith Finnegan saying it was a great success over 20k people came in did not hear the complete piece.

Bredabe · 08-07-2019 12:27pm

Storm 10 wrote: »

Some guy from the Food Fair on Keith Finnegan saying it was a great success over 20k people came in did not hear the complete piece.

We were just saying this yes, if the event would be talked up or there would be an honest discussion on it on local media.

On the + side, it will be an excellent place for dog walks for the next few days as it will be heaving with smells for them to trace.

Areas · 08-07-2019 12:49pm

I was there yesterday and I paid the tenner in and I thought it was worth it. I spent 4 hours walking around to all the different stalls. There were so many tasters of cheese, chutneys, chocolates, ciders, mead, gin etc.
It was nice to interact with the stall holders as well and talk to them about their businesses.
The music was great, they had a few different bands on and they finished off with Oddity.
I didn't see anyone turning away at the gate when they saw the price and there were plenty of people entering at the prebooked gate even up until 6pm.
The demonstration tent was standing room only when I was leaving at 7pm and it had seating for 360 people.

08-07-2019 12:50pm

Storm 10 wrote: »

Some guy from the Food Fair on Keith Finnegan saying it was a great success over 20k people came in did not hear the complete piece.

20k is actually a piss poor attendance for a 3 day event

pure.conya · 08-07-2019 5:08pm

Storm 10 wrote: »

Some guy from the Food Fair on Keith Finnegan saying it was a great success over 20k people came in did not hear the complete piece.

sowing the seed for next year, cowboys Ted and your man finnegan is tge worst of them, he'd say mass to get the upper hand in a situation lol

Galway Food & Craft Festival in Salthill Park

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