Giant Weekend of Free Music and Food Planned for Newcastle

In only a matter of weeks food and music fans can look forward to a weekend of fabulous culinary delights and live music at the Eats and Beats festival.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Mourne Mountains, Newcastle in County Down will host the free Eats and Beats festival on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September.

Providing the best in local food, visitors can enjoy delicious fare at the Producers Pavilion (sponsored by Lexus Belfast) with over 20 local and Northern Irish food producers. There you will find some of the finest food and drink on show from Savour Visit Mourne's producers and experiences such as Killeavy Castle, Mourne Food Adventures and Neary Nogs.

There’ll be a tipple or two on offer from our local distilleries and craft breweries — from gin, whiskey, and the very best beers from the likes of Killowen Distillery, Mourne Dew Distillery and Whitewater Brewery.

Visitors can also sit back and relax and enjoy a delicious serving of tasty treats at the cooking demonstrations celebrating the finest artisan local produce that the region is renowned for over the festival weekend. Music lovers can then dance their way around two music stages, which will offer free live performances on the Homegrown and World Stages over the two days.

Speaking about the two-day festival set to take over Newcastle in September, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte said, “I am delighted the Eats and Beats festival is returning to Newcastle again this year. With its incredible backdrop and holiday vibe, Newcastle will provide the perfect location to draw visitors into the district to enjoy the area’s growing food and music culture.

“It is important that the Council provides opportunities for our hardworking businesses to showcase themselves to a wide audience. The Eats and Beats festival will be an excellent opportunity to sample our delicious food, award-winning food, chart-topping music, great drinks but above all else, a fantastic time with friends and family.”

Councillor Harte continued, “We are especially proud this year that the landscape underpinning our Giant Adventures is part of the recently designated Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Geopark.”

A Lexus Belfast spokesperson said, “Lexus Belfast is delighted to be sponsoring the Producers Pavilion at the 2023 Eats and Beats Festival. As a brand, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and striving towards a sustainable future. Our aim is to help design the future by delivering Lexus Electrified vehicles and we are glad to be partnering up with the Eats and Beats Festival, who have sustainability and supporting local businesses at the forefront of the event.”

The weekend’s soundtrack will be played out across two stages from the best in local and international musicians and bands.  Expect a mix of rock, gospel, folk, country, blues, and punk from musical talent across the island of Ireland.

On the Homegrown stage in Donard Park its two day line-up will see incredible music from the likes of The Answer, Ryan McMullan, Lemonade Shoelace, Ria Maguire, and Belfast’s very own Brian Kennedy who is sure to add to the festival atmosphere.

Anyone looking for something different can lose yourself in the Basork Balkan Alien Sound and the unmissable sounds of the Streetwise Circus Samba Band. The Reverend Doc & The Flying Squad and Mirenda Rosenberg will also take to the World Stage over the two-day event.

So, if you're looking for a fun-filled weekend that combines great food, fantastic music, and beautiful scenery, this is a weekend not to be missed.

Get your friends or family, head to Newcastle and eat drink and dance your way around the Eats & Beats festival at Donard Park this September, all supported by a sustainability teepee.

With so much on offer, why not make a break of it and explore more of what the destination has to offer. The full festival line-up and further information on where to stay, eat, and things to do during your stay can be found at: https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/whats-on/giant-adventures/eats-and-beats-festival-newcastle

Follow on social media @VisitMourne. You can also sign up for our free Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion Newsletter delivered monthly straight to your inbox.