Swedish media sample the culinary delights of Galway

By Declan Varley

Ten influential journalists and an acclaimed cookbook writer from Sweden enjoyed a gastronomy-themed visit to Galway earlier this week, as guests of Tourism Ireland and Bord Bia.

Representing various online and print publications with a combined circulation of almost 770,000 readers around Sweden, the journalists were here to experience at first hand our world-famous Irish hospitality and the high standard of gastronomy here for feature stories they are planning to write about short breaks and ‘foodie’ holidays in Galway and Ireland.

During their time in Galway, the journalists travelled to Kilcolgan, where they enjoyed a guided tour of Kelly Galway Oysters and a spot of lunch at Moran’s Oyster Cottage.

Their itinerary, designed by Fáilte Ireland, also included a presentation on sustainable fisheries hosted by Bord Iascaigh Mhara.

They took a boat out to the lobster fishing grounds at Mutton Island with local fisherman Patrick Oliver and dined at Ard Bia at Nimmo’s restaurant at the Spanish Arch in Galway city.

Caroline Brunel, Tourism Ireland’s manager for the Nordic region, said: “Food is an integral part of any short break or holiday and we know that our Swedish visitors enjoy authentic, locally produced food.

“Fact-finding visits such as this are extremely important in helping to increase awareness in Sweden of the superb food and tourism product on offer in Galway city and county and around Ireland.

“The publicity value of the articles these journalists will write is fantastic – they will be read by almost 770,000 potential holidaymakers – and we are confident that this will encourage readers and ‘foodies’ to come and sample the destination for themselves.”