What to do and see in County Down, Northern Ireland: The Best Food & Drink

A seafood cookery school located beside Kilkeel Harbour.

The 'Mourne Foods & Films Cycle Tour' is a unique self guided tour by bike exploring the locally produced foods and famous filming locations in the regions beautiful Shimna Valley. It has been devised by the Enniskeen Country House hotel in Newcastle Co Down, in association with local food producers and other tourism partners, to showcase the wonderful artisan food in the region and also the many breath-taking locations in the valley used in global filming productions - Philomena, Game of Thrones, The Fall, Dracula Untold etc. Visitors take a complimentary shuttle bus up to the tour start point at Spelga Dam in the heart of the Mournes and from there it is all downhill as you freewheel through the meandering Shimna Valley and pass by the ancient follies and woodland of Tollymore forest before reaching the Irish Sea coast. The trail is a mix of quiet rural roads and smooth off road trails, so it is suitable for couples and small groups of friends/family looking for a novel way to spend a few hours exploring and sightseeing. Electric bikes are available too, so there are definitely no excuses! With the Mourne Mountains as its backdrop, the 'Mourne Foods & Films Cycle Tour' pairs up gentle downhill cycling, stunning filming location scenery and simply delicious food! Visitors cycling the trail will get to visit local producers along the route and purchase some of their tasty foods including Abernethy Butter companies famous hand churned butter used by Heston Blumenthal, and also walk in the footsteps of film stars such as Judi Dench and Sean Bean!

Field-to-glass distillery crafting award winning spirits in the heart of County Down, Northern Ireland. Home to Dunville's Irish Whiskey, Echlinville Single Estate Irish Pot Still Gin, Jawbox Gin and Bán Poitín.

Our adventures got up and flowing on the banks of the Whitewater in 1996. Upriver in the Mountains of Mourne, With hard work and perseverance our beer, born in a barn by the river, was really flowing. Until eventually we reached a point where we needed a “bigger shed.” Now we are proud to open our new home for the Whitewater Brewing Company and Tap House.

We invite you to join us in a truly unique and memorable experience. I live in an area of "outstanding natural beauty" on the shores of Strangford Lough just 30 minutes from Belfast. Join myself and my lovely multi award winning Bread maker - Fred, and you will make a variety of traditional Northern Irish breads - soda bread, wheaten / brown bread, potato bread in the very relaxed surroundings of my home - an 18th century thatched barn. We will be offering traditional Christmas themed bread making sessions from mid November. You will be treated to an impressive choice of local foods to accompany your breads. There will also be some tray bakes - northern Irish sweet treats. Tea and coffee will be served in my best bone china - I love the excuse to use it! This is a great way to meet other visitors and the locals! There will be no more than 10 Guests in the session so that it's personal and that we can work with everyone individually. You will be given a copy of all recipes also.

Our adventures got up and flowing on the banks of the Whitewater in 1996. Upriver in the Mountains of Mourne, With hard work and perseverance our beer, born in a barn by the river, was really flowing. Until eventually we reached a point where we needed a “bigger shed.” Now we are proud to open our new home for the Whitewater Brewing Company and Tap House.

Killowen Distillery welcomes you on a tour of a traditional small batch distillery, where the entire production process is explained for gin, poitin and pot still Irish whiskey. The townland of Kilfeaghan in Killowen is renowned for its Nature, history & Lore, and these characteristics are epitomised in the tour.

Northern Ireland's first award winning craft gin and Irish whiskey distillery. Our small batch philosophy ensures that every aspect of our gin meets our exacting vision. Everything is crafted and perfected by hand. Our craft distillery is located in the stunning Rademon Estate, Crossgar. 18 miles south of Belfast. Our onsite shop is open most days until 5.30pm - please call for weekend opening times, as these may vary. We also operate a bar onsite, for drinks on our terrace. As we are a fully working distillery all tours must be pre-booked. Please note our tours are currently paused at this time.

The Copeland Distillery, situated on Ireland’s East Coast, is producer of a range of Irish Gin, Single Malt and Pot Still Whiskey.

I'm Mark, i've spent 37 years in the home baking trade and with the introduction of pre mixes and other shortcuts in the home baking trade I've decided that its time to pass on skills which I have learned through the many bakers I have worked in. Name the item you want to learn how to make and we can bake it. I'll take you on a journey from the traditional staples of Ireland; the potato and soda bread to the modern popularised focaccia bread of today.