Shared Table Event Uniting Communities in Rowallane Through Food and Culture
A new community programme, Shared Table: Tastes & Traditions of Rowallane and Beyond, is bringing people together in the area through food, storytelling, heritage and shared cultural experiences, thanks to PEACEPLUS funding secured by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
The project is part of the Council’s Local Action Plan’s Thriving Together initiative, which is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Delivered by ArtsEkta, Shared Table brings people from different community and cultural backgrounds together to explore the food traditions, stories and customs that shape identity, heritage and belonging, with the project culminating with a free community festival event at the beautiful Rowallane Garden on Saturday, October 24 between 1pm and 4pm.
Through food and storytelling workshops, cultural recipe sharing, local food heritage activities, creative experiences and visits exploring food and nature, participants are discovering traditions from County Down alongside foods and customs from cultures around the world.
The programme encourages participants to share their own experiences and traditions while discovering what different communities have in common – from recipes passed through generations to the importance of food in family life, hospitality and celebration.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Glynn Hanna said, “Shared Table is a wonderful opportunity for people from across the Rowallane area to come together, meet others and celebrate the rich food traditions and cultures that exist within our communities.
“Food has a unique ability to bring people together and through PEACEPLUS we are creating opportunities for residents to share experiences, learn from one another and build new connections. I look forward to seeing the programme culminate in The Harvest Feast at Rowallane Garden, which promises to be a fantastic celebration for the whole community.”
Councillor Terry Andrews, Chairperson of the PEACEPLUS Partnership said, “At the heart of PEACEPLUS is bringing people from different backgrounds together through positive and meaningful shared experiences. Shared Table does this in a very accessible way, using food, heritage and storytelling to encourage conversation, cultural exchange and greater understanding.
“The programme gives participants an opportunity not only to share their own traditions but to discover the experiences and traditions of others. The Harvest Feast will provide a fitting celebration of that journey and an opportunity for the wider community to become involved.”
Set against colourful autumn surroundings, the event celebrates the season through food, live music, storytelling, artisan producers, creative workshops and cultural traditions from near and far.
Visitors will be able to enjoy a programme of live entertainment alongside three food demonstration and sampling stations exploring seasonal produce, County Down food heritage and flavours and traditions from around the world, while a specially curated artisan food market will showcase independent producers and food businesses, while hands-on autumn and nature-inspired workshops will provide opportunities for visitors of different ages to get creative.
ArtsEkta Chief Executive Officer, Nisha Tandon said, “Food is one of the most powerful ways of bringing people together. Every family and every culture has recipes, stories and traditions that mean something to them, and Shared Table creates a welcoming space where these can be shared and celebrated.
“The Harvest Feast will bring that idea to life at Rowallane Garden. We want to create a colourful autumn gathering filled with food, music, creativity and stories, where visitors can discover local traditions alongside flavours and cultures from around the world. Most importantly, it will be a celebration created with the communities and participants who have been at the heart of the project.”
National Trust Community, Participation and Volunteering Manager, Garret O’Fachtna said, “We’re delighted to welcome The Harvest Feast to Rowallane Garden and to work with ArtsEkta on an event that will introduce new communities to this special place. We want Rowallane Garden to be somewhere everyone feels welcome and this partnership provides a wonderful opportunity for people who may not have visited before to experience the garden, connect with nature and discover its heritage.
“Bringing people together through food, creativity and shared traditions feels particularly fitting in the autumn landscape and we hope the event will encourage new visitors to enjoy Rowallane and build a lasting connection with the place.”
The Harvest Feast will create a welcoming autumn gathering where people can meet, try something new and celebrate the food, stories and traditions that connect communities. The event is free and tickets must be booked in advance at
Shared Table: Tastes & Traditions of Rowallane and Beyond is funded by PEACEPLUS, a cross-border funding programme supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration.
A PEACEPLUS newsletter is published every two months, highlighting the wide range of projects being delivered throughout the district as part of the Co-Designed Action Plan, providing residents with news on upcoming initiatives and opportunities they may wish to get involved in. To receive future newsletters email peace@nmandd.org and ask to be placed on the PEACEPLUS database, while for information on the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) visit the PEACEPLUS website.
