“20 Years of Taste. From Local Roots to Global Connections”

Date: Monday 20th April 2026

Location: InterContinental Dublin

CONFERENCE AGENDA

09.00am – 10.00am        Registration

10.00am – 10.30am        Welcome and Opening Remarks

• Moderator: Suzanne Campbell, Broadcaster & Journalist, Food & Farming, RTE
• Margaret Jeffares, Founder & CEO, Good Food Ireland®
• John Cahalan, CCO, FBD Insurance, Title Partner

10.30am – 11.30am / Session 1: The Role of Food in Shaping Ireland’s Tourism Identity, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A

Food has become a defining part of how Ireland is experienced by visitors. Over the past 20 years, Good Food Ireland® has pioneered collaboration across farming, food production, hospitality and tourism, helping shape Ireland’s global food reputation. This session explores how the journey from farm → plate → experience → story → global visitor creates authentic, memorable tourism experiences.

Keynote Speaker:

• Aidan Power, Director of Marketing, Tourism Ireland.

Panels Speakers:

• Michael Londra, International Broadcaster and Executive Producer, “Ireland with Michael”
• Ed Cooney, Executive Chef, The Merrion Hotel, Dublin
• Eoghan Corry, Travel Journalist and Tourism Analyst
• Laura Bradley, Co-Owner Indie Fude, Co Down

11.45am – 12.45pm / Session 2: Sea to Plate: Connecting Ireland’s Seafood with Tourism, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A

Discover how Ireland’s seafood sector and tourism industry can work together to bring more sustainable, local fish to menus across the country. Hear from fishermen, processors, chefs and industry experts as they share insights, success stories and practical ways to strengthen collaboration, enhance visitor experiences and showcase Ireland’s seafood on a global stage.

Keynote Speaker:

• Paul Ward, Manager, Business Intelligence, BIM

Panel Speakers:

• John Menarry, Fisherman & National Inshore Fisherman’s Association (NIFA)
• John Lynch, Fisherman & CEO, Irish South and East Fish Producers Organisation
• Conor Halpenny, Head Chef & Co-Owner, Square Restaurant, Co Louth
• Stephen Jones, Key Account Manager, Kish Fish

1.00pm – 2.00pm / LUNCH & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

2.00pm – 3.00pm / Session 3: Shaping Taste: The Power of Chefs to Drive Provenance and Change, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A

Chefs are not just responding to demand; they are shaping it. This session explores how chefs can influence what we eat, champion seasonality and turn local Irish produce into a premium, authentic experience. Hear from industry leaders across the supply chain on how collaboration, storytelling and sourcing decisions can reduce reliance on imports and redefine Ireland’s food offering for a global audience.

Keynote Speaker:

• Michael Kelly, CEO, Grow it Yourself (GIY) Author & TV Presenter

Panel Speakers:

• Liam Finnegan, Executive Chef, Ashford Castle, Co Mayo
• Barra Sweetnam, Owner, Allfresh
• Stephen Holland, Executive Chef, Dunluce Lodge, Co Antrim
• Thomas Murray, Agronomist, O’ Shea Farms, Co Kilkenny
• Alex Nahke, Executive Chef, The Europe Hotel & Resort, Co Kerry

3.15pm – 4.15pm / Session 4: Ireland on the World Stage: Growing Our Global Food Tourism Reputation, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A

Ireland’s food story is gaining global attention, but how do we turn it into a world-class tourism experience? This session explores how local provenance, seasonal produce and authentic culinary experiences can attract international visitors. Hear from chefs, producers and tourism leaders about how collaboration, storytelling and the Good Food Ireland® trustmark can connect Ireland’s local roots to global opportunities.

Keynote Speaker:

• Joe Gill, Director of Corporate Advisory, Goodbody Capital Markets

Panel Speakers:

• Peter Ward, Owner, Country Choice Nenagh, Co Tipperary
• Alastair Bell, Irish Black Butter, Co Antrim
• Conal Stewart, Taste Ards and North Down
• Alison Johnston, Director of Sales & Marketing, Good Food Ireland®

4.30pm – 5.00m / Closing Remarks

5.00 – 7.00pm / Showcase Dinner Celebration

The culinary finale of the anniversary conference, celebrating 20 years of connecting Irish producers, chefs and tourism through authentic farm-to-fork experiences. Guests will enjoy seasonal dishes crafted from premium Irish ingredients while meeting the producers and chefs behind them, highlighting provenance, sustainability and the Good Food Ireland® ethos in action.

Good Food Ireland® curated, collaborative menu –

The Merrion Hotel, Dublin; Kelly’s of Newport, Co Mayo; Ashford Castle Estate, Co Mayo; Burren Smokehouse & Visitor Centre, Co Clare; Milleens Cheese, Co Cork; Aniar, Co Galway; Barberstown Castle Hotel, Co Kildare; Murphy’s Craft Butchers, Co Carlow; Intercontinental Hotel, Dublin; Irish Black Butter, Co Antrim; Country Choice Nenagh, Co Tipperary; Walsh’s Bakehouse, Co Waterford; The Mallow Makers, Co Down; Caviston’s Food Emporium & Restaurant, Dublin; Janet’s Country Fayre, Co Wicklow; Castle Leslie Estate, Co Monaghan; Jinny’s Bakery, Co Leitrim; Beara Bitters, Co Kildare; Papa’s Mineral Company, Co Down; Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort, Co Wicklow; Kylemore Abbey, Co Galway; The Europe Hotel & Resort, Co Kerry; Malone Fruit Farm, Co Carlow; G’s Gourmet Jams, Co Laois; Glastry Farm Ice Cream, Co Down; Killowen Farm, Co Wexford; The Dewdrop Brewhouse, Co Kildare. Galtee Honey Farm, Co Tipperary. Linalla Farm Ice Cream, Co Clare, The Apple Farm, Co Tipperary.

Book tickets now!

Click HERE for ongoing announcements and further details

Thank you to our Sponsors and Partners

FBD Insurance, BIM, Tourism Ireland, AIB, Allfresh and Host Partner InterContinental Dublin