Chocolate festival set for Killyleagh

Chocolate festival set for Killyleagh

20 July 2016

THOUSANDS of chocoholics and enthusiastic foodies are set to descend again this year on Killyleagh.

The 2016 Finnebrogue Artisan Hans Sloane Chocolate and Fine Food Festival is to run between September 23 and 25.  

Sponsored by artisan producer Finnebrogue, this year’s festival will be the largest one yet, with over 15 chocolatiers and nearly 40 local food producers due to set up camp at Killyleagh Castle for the weekend-long festival.

Founded in 2010 to celebrate Killyleagh’s most famous son, Hans Sloane, who was born in the village in 1660 and later became one of the most famous men of his time — partly because of his development of milk chocolate — the biennial festival is now regarded as one of the leading events of its type in the UK and Ireland.

The festival will kick off on Friday, September 23 with the Chocolate Ball in the grounds of the Killyleagh Castle, one of Ireland’s longest-inhabited castles. Guests will be treated to a chocolate-rich menu prepared and curated by the Chef Simon Dougan of Yellow Door and Finnebrogue consultant development chef Chris Burt, followed by world-class entertainment set in a marquee against the back of the castle.

The three-day celebration will continue on the Saturday and Sunday with the Hans Sloane Chocolate and Fine Food Festival, where guests can enjoy the range of chocolatiers’ displays and market stalls, taste and purchase local artisan produce, and be entertained by activities for the whole family.

Festival committee member, Maeve Davison, said the committee was working tirelessly to make sure the fourth festival season was the best yet.

“With increased interest in our abundance of local produce and artisan suppliers, with thanks to 2016’s Year of Food and Drink, our chocolate-themed festival stands as a unique event in this year’s events calendar,” she said. “We look forward to welcoming guests coming from as close as Killyleagh and as far as mainland Europe who will share in this special festival.”

Joining the line-up of this year’s festival is Cancer Fund for Children, who have been confirmed as the beneficiary of this year’s fundraising activities. The leading local charity provides practical, emotional and financial support to children and young people affected by cancer and their families, as well as therapeutic short breaks at Daisy Lodge in Newcastle.

Gillian Creevy, chief executive of Cancer Fund for Children, said they were delighted to have partnered with the festival and explained what the charity meant to their users.

“Beyond the essential medical care there is a family life that needs to be rebuilt,” she said. “Our charity provides specialist services both at home and in the community, as well as therapeutic short breaks to families impacted by cancer. The children and families we support are at the heart of everything we do, and we are thrilled to be a part of such a family-friendly, wide-reaching event.”

The Finnebrogue Artisan Hans Sloane Chocolate and Fine Food Festival is supported by Tourism Northern Ireland, Newry Mourne and Down District Council, and Food NI. They are also supported by sponsors Bryan Somers Travel, Finlay Wealth Management, Jeep, Killyleagh Development Association, Mash Direct, Roskyle, and S.D. Bell’s.

Ticket prices vary, based on events running throughout the Festival. For further information on all events taking place and to book tickets visit www.hanssloane.com or https://www.ticketea.co.uk/tickets-the-hans-sloane-chocolate-festival/ or follow the Killyleagh Chocolate Festival on Twitter @KillyleaghChoc or on Facebook at facebook.com/KillyleaghChocFest.