Monaghan Street Food Festival

For two days in August, Monaghan town centre belongs to food. The Monaghan Street Food Festival closes the streets to traffic from the Dawson Monument all the way to the Diamond, filling that stretch with food trucks, artisan producers from across Monaghan and Ireland, street performers, live music, and cooking demonstrations. Admission is free throughout. It suits families, food lovers, and anyone who wants a proper day out rather than a sit-down restaurant - the pace is relaxed, the layout encourages wandering, and the whole thing feels more like a community occasion than a ticketed event.

What to expect

The festival transforms a familiar piece of town into something quite different. Stalls run along the length of the route between the Dawson Monument and the Diamond, with a mix of street food - hot, ready-to-eat dishes from food trucks - alongside artisan producers selling preserves, baked goods, and local produce. Church Square hosts live cooking demonstrations by invited chefs, giving visitors a chance to watch, ask questions, and pick up ideas.

One of the newer additions is the Long Table Dinner, introduced in 2025: an open seated dining experience for 50 guests, bringing together food from local restaurants and food trucks under one table with live entertainment alongside. Details for 2026 were still being confirmed at time of writing - check the organiser’s page for updates. The event is run by a volunteer committee and was a finalist in the Monaghan Business and Tourism Awards 2026.

Getting there

Monaghan town is well served by road. From Dublin, the N2 / A5 takes roughly 90 minutes; from Belfast, the A3 brings you in around an hour. Bus Eireann runs regular services from Dublin Busaras to Monaghan (route 30/30A), and Translink operates services from Belfast. The town centre will be closed to traffic during the festival, so leave the car in one of the car parks on the edge of the pedestrian zone - the Old Cross Square and Market Street areas usually have space.

While you’re in Monaghan

Monaghan town is compact enough to explore comfortably on foot - the Market House and the County Museum are both worth a look if you have time after the festival. There is more to see in Monaghan and across Co. Monaghan.

Good to know

• Dates: Friday 14 August and Saturday 15 August 2026
• Time: From 10:00am (Saturday closes 5:00pm)
• Price: Free admission
• Check for updates: monaghan.ie/event/monaghan-street-food-festival
• Location: The Diamond to Dawson Monument, Monaghan town centre