Best of Laois food & drink producers at the National Ploughing 2023

The Laois County Council Pavilion housed many Laois Taste producers, along with the Laois Taste stand, craft producers and several state agencies. The critical mass of several food producers grouped together was impactful for all who visited. There were plenty visits and photos with President Michael D Higgins, Chief Inspector Drew, Nevin Maguire and Anna May McHugh who were all very giving of their time.

Helen Gee from Gee’s Gourmet Jam organised a showcase of Laois Taste producers to present and hold tastings in the ICA tent. This was enjoyable, leading to many sales for producers who subsequently visited the producers stands in the Laois tent. The event also gave us the chance to meet Anna May McHugh in a relaxed setting in the ICA where she mingled freely with the producers, tasting, chatting, and posing for photos. A total of 200,550 visitors attended the National Ploughing Championships in 2023.

A raffle was run for a Laois taste Hamper worth @ €50 which helped to increase our followers on laoistaste.ie Instagram and Facebook pages. This had the desired effect with many new followers signing up directly as a result and tagging more.

During the event Kevin Scully from the Merry Mill was interviewed on the Irish Organic Association Podcast (pictured overleaf) and Liz Kennedy, Laois Taste was interviewed for the Midlands 103 morning show which aired on the Wednesday morning show as people drove to the Ploughing.