Dine around Bushmills at the Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival 2022

Dine around Bushmills at The Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival 14-16 October 2022

The annual Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival is a Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council event celebrating the incredible food and drinks in and around the charming village of Bushmills. Unfortunately, Covid restrictions saw the festival cancelled two years in a row, but it is back with a new time slot in the Borough's events calendar and a different vibe with an expanded entertainment programme.

The date for the Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival has been moved from June to September to lead into harvest and the hospitality industries' autumn campaigns, helping to extend the season for local businesses. The focus this year will be food, drink and lots more music! There will be venues offering music throughout the village, encouraging locals and visitors alike to enjoy the venues throughout the day and into the evening. In addition, cafes, restaurants and pubs will showcase the best of local produce and hospitality by offering a range of festival-themed dishes and drinks. Venues and details are to be confirmed by the Council's Event Team. Keep an eye on their socials for programme announcements.

Dine around Bushmills organisers Gary Stewart, and Stella Bolton put their heads together and decided there was no better time to put on one of their much sought-after events. The next Dine around Bushmills is planned for Friday 14th October 2022, which kick starts the festival weekend. Dine around Bushmills is an independent popular food tour around the historic village of Bushmills, Co. Antrim, which has several award-winning restaurants and eateries. The home of the world's oldest licensed distillery, Old Bushmills Distillery is the starting location for this much sought-after Experience. Diners are transported around the village on a 1950's vintage coach. Each participating venue works together to create an exceptional evening. Many collaborators are members of the Taste Causeway network, an accredited Slow Food destination, so expect lots of locally sourced food and drink. Please read our blog for a flavour of our last Dine around event, Dine around Bushmills - a snapshot of what we have to offer Foodies! (bushmillsbanquet.com)

Tickets go on sale at 7 pm on Friday 2nd September 2022, with a pre-release link sent to our loyal subscribers in advance. Tickets are priced at £79 per person (non-refundable and non-transferable). Refer to our website Salmon & Whiskey Festival 2022 - Dine Around Bushmills (bushmillsbanquet.com) and check out our FAQ in advance. Any queries, get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

 What can we expect from the Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival 2022 - Rescheduled to 14th, 15th & 16th October 2022.

The annual Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival is a Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council event celebrating the incredible food and drinks in and around the charming village of Bushmills.

Dine around Bushmills is organised by the Bushmills Banquet team separate from the Council activities but proudly kick starts the festival weekend on Friday 14th October 2022. Locals and visitors can look forward to a weekend of opportunity to enjoy what local cafes, restaurants, and bars will be dishing up. You can expect a range of deliciously themed menus along the Bushmills Taste Trail, showcasing the best of local produce and warm hospitality while housing some great local musicians (details of music venues to follow from the Council Events Team).

On Saturday 15th October 2022, start the day with a visit to the Old Bushmills Distillery for a tasting to 'get you in the spirit' and bring home a gift for someone special from the Distillery Gift Shop. Then, follow the River Bush back into the heart of the village, and drop by The River Bush Salmon Station. Open especially for festival goers; you will have the opportunity to learn about the fascinating natural life span of the Salmon. The work and research are internationally renowned and worth a visit.

Award-winning collaborative Taste Causeway offers the opportunity for you to meet some of their Makers/Producers, see and hear why it is an accredited Slow Food destination, and pick up some goodies for later.

Looking for some inspiration, pop into a cooking demonstration which will no doubt give you an appetite in time for refreshment breaks at the local cafes, restaurants and bars along the Bushmills Taste Trail. Be sure to stock up on the wide range of produce available to buy from our family-run butchers, cheesemonger and artisan deli, bakeries and the most famous traditional fruit and veg store in the country before you call it a day. If you are fortunate enough to live in the village or nearby or plan to stay in the area, the festival feel continues into the evening with venues offering great food, drink and entertainment throughout the evening. So why not make a weekend of it? For suggestions on where to stay, check out our where-to-stay guide for a couple of suggestions.

On Sunday 16th October, in addition to local businesses offering delicious dishes, cocktails and sweet treats throughout the village, other highlights include the arrival of the Naturally North Coast and Glens Artisan Market with a range of street food vendors and popular market traders to browse and buy. Keeping with the festival weekend vibe, there will be plenty of live music to enjoy as we wind down for another year (the exact programme to be confirmed by the Events Team at Council, contact the events team directly for queries or concerns). 

For more information on what to expect when visiting Bushmills village, enjoy our Experience Bushmills videos! We are not just about 'eatin and drinkin' in Bushmills as we boast a range of exclusive fashion boutiques, fine art, crafts, gifts, books and antique stores. You will be amazed at the range and quality of what this picturesque village offers. And don't forget to subscribe below for a chance to grab a Dine around Bushmills ticket!