Mae Kiely and Paul Hogan dance for joy on Pearse St at the news that the Clonakilty Steet Carnival will return next month. Photo: Dermot Sullivan.

What’s Clon the menu?

There’s a feast in store for foodies next month when a popular street carnival returns to West Cork.

After a 4 year break due to Covid-19 restrictions, the annual Clonakilty Street Carnival returns on 17 June for a day of food, live music, and activities for all the family.

On the day, rows of tables will line the seaside town’s colourfully decorated main streets, creating “Clonakilty’s longest dinner party”, with thousands of food fanatics expected to attend.

Since its inception in 2016, the carnival has seen huge crowds flock to Clonakilty where they are catered for by local restaurants and an array of artisan producers.

This year’s event, which is again hosted by Irish Yogurts, will be officially opened by renowned chef Eunice Power, a regular on the RTÉ One ‘Today Show’ where she hosts live cooking demonstrations of her recipes in the studio. As well as running one of Ireland’s leading gourmet event catering companies, Eunice also owns the award-winning restaurant AndChips in Dungarvan, Co Waterford.

Eunice said: “This is such an important event for Clonakilty, where a spotlight will shine on all the wonderful local producers, chefs, and businesses. I understand the commitment and hard work that communities put into these events and I’m looking forward to spending this wonderful day with the Clonakilty community.”

The popular Family Fun Zone also makes a return this year with hosted activities and street entertainment including bouncy castles, giant games, face-painting, and an enclosed area to keep the smallies amused, as well as a sensory play area as part of Clonakilty’s continued commitment to being an autism friendly town.

Kevin O’Regan, an organiser of the Irish Yogurts Clonakilty Street Carnival said: “We’re excited to be back and we’re hugely grateful to all our contributors, sponsors, and volunteers. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to create such a magical and memorable experience for locals and visitors to the Irish Yogurts Clonakilty Street Carnival.

“Clonakilty is a thriving town and a top-class food destination, and we’re thrilled to be able to showcase again the wonderful talents of our local food producers, businesses, and hospitality to everyone who comes to visit us on the day.”

Carnival dinner places are ticketed, and diners are urged to book well in advance to avoid disappointment. Tickets include adult and children’s meals with meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan meal options, including drinks and desserts. All other festivities and event activities are free.