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food-drink · Sunday 9 August 2026 · Various 
Taste of Cavan Food Festival 2026
At Cavan Equestrian Centre · Cavan Equestrian Centre, Cavan, Co. Cavan
At Cavan Equestrian Centre · Cavan Equestrian Centre, Cavan, Co. Cavan
The Taste of Cavan is one of Ireland’s established regional food festivals, drawing around 25,000 visitors across its two August days to the Cavan Equestrian Centre. It is a proper showcase of what the county produces - not a vague “food village” but a concentrated gathering of over 120 exhibitors, live chef demonstrations, and workshops that pull in serious food lovers as well as families looking for a good day out.
The festival floor fills with local producers selling and sampling award-winning cheeses, handmade chocolate, ice cream, organic sausages, honey, breads, and liqueurs - much of it made in County Cavan or just over the border. The main stage hosts cooking demonstrations from well-known Irish chefs, the kind who actually show technique rather than just chat. Past editions have featured Neven Maguire (himself a Cavan man), Rachel Allen, and Richard Corrigan, though the 2026 line-up will be confirmed closer to the date.
Workshops run alongside the main programme - coffee masterclasses, gin tastings, wine and food pairing sessions. There is a dedicated area for craft beer, cider, and spirits from smaller Irish producers. A family zone keeps children occupied with farm experiences and hands-on food activities, so this works well as a family day rather than a purely adult affair.
Cavan town sits at the junction of the N3 (from Dublin, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes) and the N55, making it straightforward to reach by car from most of Leinster and Ulster. Bus Éireann runs regular services from Dublin (Busáras) to Cavan Bus Station; journey time is around two hours. From Cavan town, the Equestrian Centre is a short drive. On-site parking is available at the venue.
The town itself has a good craft beer scene, some solid restaurants, and Cavan Crystal nearby if you want to extend the visit. Lough Oughter and the surrounding drumlin lakes are a short drive out if the weather holds. There is more to see in Cavan and across Co. Cavan.
Heading to Cavan Equestrian Centre in Cavan? Cavan has plenty more to see. Read the Cavan area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.