PRODUCER STORIES
HUGH WILHARE
MULROY BAY MUSSELS
The Wilhare family have been cultivating mussels in Mulroy Bay for over 30 years, from generation to generation. The local family live just along the rugged shores of Mulroy Bay, which provide ideal conditions to grow mussels. Mulroy Bay Mussels are not only sold in Donegal but also throughout the west coast of Ireland and also in Iceland, The Netherlands and Germany. Hugh Wilhare will share the fascinating story behind this unique family business at Off The Street Food Fest this July.
JAMES & NOREEN CUNNINGHAM
KILARD DONEGAL FARMHOUSE CHEESE
An exciting addition to the Donegal food scene, Kilard Farmhouse Cheese is fast becoming one of Ireland's most popular cheddar cheeses. James and Noreen, from Kilcar, South West Donegal have been working on their cheese for a number of years and went to market in 2019. The cheese is currently stocked in a number of retail outlets across Donegal and it is served in many of the local restaurants. Come hear the story behind this exciting Donegal food venture at Off The Street this summer.
DEIRDRE BYRNE
SLIABH LIAG DISTILLERIES
SLIABH LIAG DISTILLERIES
Sliabh Liag Distilleries is a family owned business and home of Donegal's first ever legal distillery in over 175 years. They have set out to reclaim the once proud (if somewhat illicit) distilling heritage of Donegal and relate the history, stories and culture of the area through their various brands including An Dulaman Maritime Gin and Silkie Donegal Whiskey. The distillery is located in the shadow of Sliabh Liag, on the outskirts of Carrick, Donegal and the business have won various accolades for their premium range of spirits. Marketing Manager, Deirdre Byrne will join Off The Street Food Fest this year to talk us through the amazing journey of the Sliabh Liag Distillery.
DEREK & ANNA WALKER
NATNOOT
Off The Street cofounders, Derek and Anna Walker are the creators of NatNoot- The Natural Nutrition Co. an empowering health food company that cultivates certified organic wheatgrass, producing completely natural cold pressed juices. Derek's story is a particularly inspirational one, having overcome blindness to follow his dreams. Derek was taking wheatgrass to help ease personal inflammation when he developed the idea to start producing Natnoot. The business has been a resounding success for the duo and just recently, they appeared on RTE Nationwide. This is a story not to be missed at Off The Street Food Fest this July.
JOHN SHINE
SHINES WILD IRISH TUNA
John and Marianne Shine, with their meticulous attention to detail produce an award-winning range of Wild Irish Tuna sourced in Donegal. Using Irish Albacore, this is a truly superb Irish product, a far cry from the mass imported supermarket alternatives. The Shine family were the first to source the fish and sell it in Ireland. John Shine worked as a fisherman for 20 years and his wife Marianne worked as a fish buyer in a fish factory, which led to the creation of Shine’s Seafood. Albacore Tuna is moister and more delicate than other species and contains significantly more nutrients. Shine Tuna is sold nationwide and is fast becoming one Of Ireland's best loved seafood products. Hear the Shine story at Off The Street Food Fest this summer.
JOHN GRAHAM
BALLYHOLEY FARM
Instrumental in propelling Donegal food and Donegal produce, the Grahams have been growing field fresh vegetables on Ballyholey Farm for over 30 years. Originally, the family grew commercial Potatoes, Turnips and Cabbages for wholesale customers only but in 2015 they changed the business and opened a small Farm Shop (known as the Log Cabin) selling over 120 varieties of vegetables to the general public. The decorated produce of Ballyholey Farm can be seen on many restaurant plates throughout Donegal and the business is thriving to meet the demand locally for the freshest, sustainable vegetables. It is due to this demand for quality produce that John and the team recently initiated web ordering and home delivery services. Hear the stories and horticultural expertise behind the Ballyholey Farm team at Off The Street this summer.
