Neighbourhoods across the country are being invited to pull up a chair, share some?food?and say hello as Street Feast, Ireland’s national weekend of community lunches and gatherings, returns on Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24.
Now in its 16th year, the national weekend has grown into something simple but powerful; a chance for neighbours to come together in a way that makes everyday life feel a little warmer and more connected.
With more people looking for real moments of community, President Catherine Connolly, patron of Street Feast, is encouraging households everywhere to get involved. “As patron, I am delighted to support Street Feast, which brings neighbours together and strengthens communities through the simple act of sharing a meal,” President Connolly said.
This year also sees Tesco Ireland step in as Street Feast’s sponsor for the next three years.
With Tesco’s support, Street Feast is aiming high, with an ambition to grow participation from 962 neighbourhoods last year to 1,200 feasts in 2026, helping thousands more people come together across the country.
Last year, an estimated 88,000 people took part, and there was a 24 per cent rise in the number of hosts, providing a clear sign of how strongly people value real-world connection.
New research from the Street Feast team shows that participants are twice as likely to know their neighbours well after taking part in a Street Feast. Three quarters of hosts say their area feels friendlier afterwards, while 43 per cent met neighbours from different cultures or backgrounds for the first time.
These are the kinds of small, everyday interactions that make a difference. A simple shared table, a chat at the end of the street – these are the moments that help turn a place where you live into a place where you feel you belong.
“At its heart, Street Feast starts with a simple hello," said Sam Bishop, cofounder and CEO of Street Feast. "Even as we stay connected online, many of us still don’t know who lives next door. Street Feast creates moments that spark real conversations and genuine connections that last long after the day itself.”
Hosting a Street Feast doesn’t require much more than a spot to gather and a willingness to bring people together.
Anyone who registers at StreetFeast.ie will get a free party pack delivered to their door, stocked with bunting, posters, invitations and a DIY guide. There’s also the option to collect a pack from one of 20 participating Tesco stores. These Tesco packs come with all the standard goodies, along with Tesco sample favourites for the table, street chalk and simple games to help break the ice.
In line with Tesco’s commitment to helpfulness, the packs – along with recipes, ideas and tips – are designed to take the stress out of organising and make hosting feel achievable for everyone.
“At Tesco Ireland, we are all about helping people to come together over good food," said Katie Cunningham, head of brand marketing at Tesco Ireland. "With daily human interactions decreasing and loneliness increasing in recent times, this is more important than ever.
"That’s why we are so excited to strengthen our partnership with Street Feast – a wonderful initiative that turns neighbours into friends and encourages connection between people of different generations, nationalities and communities, right on their own doorsteps. We look forward to helping as many neighbourhoods as possible come together across the country this May and in the years to come.”
Street Feast is a project of Neighbourhood Network, an all-island social enterprise and charity which seeks to promote social inclusion, tackle loneliness and build supportive and resilient neighbourhoods. With growing participation nationwide, Street Feast is an invaluable opportunity to strengthen communities in both urban and rural Ireland. It aligns with national and local government policy on social cohesion, community development, and promoting well-being. By creating more connected, engaged neighbourhoods, they reduce loneliness, support integration and help every community feel like home.
Street Feast is made possible by the generous support of campaign partners the Department of Rural and Community Development, local authorities, and Tesco Ireland.
