About Us
The Boyne Valley is located in the North East of Ireland, only 20 minutes north of Dublin airport and easily accessible via the M1 from Belfast. It is Ireland’s ancient capital in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East where you can discover a world of ancient history, be intrigued by the local myths and legends and don’t forget about the stories that are over 5,000 years old, waiting to be told by the best storytellers in the word, our locals!
The Boyne Valley region gets its name from the famous river Boyne which rises at Trinity Well in County Kildare and flows from there through Meath and Louth to reach the Irish Sea. Although it is only 112 kilometres long the river Boyne has many archaeological and historical connotations. This rich valley is home to some of the world’s most mythical landscapes including; Brú na Bóinne/Newgrange, Loughcrew and Europe’s largest Anglo-Norman castle, Trim Castle. In the Boyne Valley you can wander through time like you never have before by entering the tombs of the Stone Age, discover the secrets if our ancestors and walk in the footsteps of Vikings.
This part of Ireland has also long been synonymous with food production and trade dating as far back as 10,000 years ago. Named the bounty of Ireland for its lush green landscapes and rich pasture the tradition of food production is still very important to the region. Home to a veritable bounty of passionate farmers, food and drink producers, chefs, eateries and accommodation providers whose passion is to bring all the flavours of this unique landscape to your table.
We are always happy to welcome new members! Sign up now and be a part of our successful regional food family, where friendships are forged, new ideas are ‘spawned’, business advice & inspiration is shared with like-minded people. Help us tell the story of how the Boyne Valley is home to a bountiful supply of passionate farmers, award winning food & drink producers, food experiences, talented chefs and top class eateries whose passion is to bring the flavours of our landscape to life!
How Discover Boyne Valley Flavours Began
Boyne Valley Flavours initially began when a group of passionate food producers and hospitality providers came together to support and promote the local food offering across the region. Since then the movement has grown significantly and in 2013 the Boyne Valley Food Series was born, a unique calendar of events which celebrates our land, our heritage, our people and of course of produce, which helped cement the region as a leading plater on the national food stage. This new milestone in food tourism in the Boyne Valley saw the network work together to deliver authentic culinary food experiences to all, embracing the marriage between the landscape and the flavours produced in the region.
Boyne Valley Flavours now encompasses much more that the Boyne Valley Food Series, in 2016 a Boyne Valley Food Strategy was devised, a collaboration between both Meath and Louth County Councils, to help support all existing initiatives and introduce new innovative aspects, which have been structured, as part of a road map and will help guide all stakeholders in a focused direction. While the strategy sits under the Boyne Valley banner, it has been written with all parts of both counties in mind, on the basis that the tourist or consumer does not necessarily recognise geographic boundaries. Following the successful launch of the strategy and the interest in food in the region growing a new brand was devised, “Discover Boyne Valley Flavours” so that all stakeholders could work together under the one brand. A Food Network was set up, made up of passionate food & drink producers, foodservice providers and food experiences / tourism activities who work together to build and promote the Boyne Valley region as a “Foodie Destination”.
Vision: ‘For the Boyne Valley region to be recognised as the leading national food and craft drinks destination. To be the stand out food region within Ireland’s Ancient East.’
Since the launch of the strategy, Boyne Valley Flavours have achieved many successes, including being announced as winners of “Foodie Destination” in 2016 and runner up in 2017 and 2018. The region was recognized as one of the “World’s Best Food Destinations in 2019 by the National Geographic Traveller, alongside Cusco in Peru and Bologna in Italy, and in November of 2019, we won an award at the World Food Travel Association’s Food Trekking Awards in London for “Most Innovative Food or Beverage Marketing Campaign for a Destination” beating stiff competition from the likes of Discover San Sebastian (Spain), Esperienza (Italy), Bike Food Stories (Italy), Miami Seafood Restaurant (Greece) and many more destinations.
Boyne Valley Food Strategy
Objectives:
- To develop and deepen Boyne Valley’s food identity and reputation.
- To provide a resource to facilitate collaboration among food stakeholders working locally.
- To help improve visitor experiences through local food and drink.
- To increase visitor spend and new tourism opportunities.
- To support Boyne Valley’s Micro food economy and business diversity.
- To increase local employment in the food sector and training opportunities.
- To improve community opportunities to access local food.
- To link local food with other cultural, environmental and educational activities.