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Eats & Beats will return to Donard Park in Newcastle on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September, bringing more than 24 food vendors, 18 regional producers and over 24 live music acts to the town over two days. The festival, set against the Mourne Mountains, will combine cookery demonstrations, live music on two stages and family entertainment.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna said the event was "a fantastic celebration of the food, music and creativity that our district has to offer", adding that this year's programme brings an exciting mix of local producers, talented chefs and performers from a wide range of genres.
Cllr Hanna said food remained at the heart of the festival, with cookery demonstrations, food vendors and regional producers giving visitors the chance to experience the quality and diversity of the local food and drink offering. He added that the music programme was equally exciting, spanning generations and styles, from rock and punk to country, chart favourites, emerging talent and international sounds.
The Council Chairperson concluded: “With all of this taking place in the spectacular surroundings of Newcastle and the Mourne Mountains, Eats & Beats is a great reason to visit the area, enjoy the festival and stay a little longer to discover more of Mourne Gullion Strangford.”
Cookery demonstrations will be hosted by chef Paul Cunningham and will feature several of Northern Ireland's best known culinary personalities. On Saturday, Jenny Bristow will give two live demonstrations, followed by Adam Morrison, Ryan Harrison and Bradley Webster, each sharing their own recipes, techniques and culinary inspiration. On Sunday, Suzie Lee will open the programme with two demonstrations, followed by host Paul Cunningham, before Paula McIntyre closes the weekend with two live sessions.
On the music side, Saturday will see 90s dance-pop act D:Ream perform hits including the UK number one Things Can Only Get Better, along with U R the Best Thing, Take Me Away and Shoot Me with Your Love. Thin Lizzy founding member Eric Bell & When Ireland Rocked will also perform. Bell will be joined by Mama's Boys guitarist Pat McManus and Cormac Neeson of The Answer.
Sunday's line-up includes country music star Lisa McHugh and Magherafelt singer-songwriter JC Stewart, who co-wrote Hollywood with Lewis Capaldi. Donegal guitarist and singer Muireann Bradley, who appeared on BBC Two's Jools' Annual Hootenanny, will also perform, along with Taylor Lally, whose self-titled debut album was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2025 Northern Ireland Music Prize. The Homegrown Stage on Sunday will feature Belfast punk band The Outcasts, formed in 1977 and associated with Terri Hooley's Good Vibrations label, along with Tribal Ting, the project of Kenyan-Irish musician James Gitari.
The World Stage will feature The Skallions, 11-piece group Magwere, Balcony Sunrise, Baile An Salsa, nine-piece Dublin band Havana Roots and Belfast gypsy jazz quartet Manouche, offering music influenced by Africa, Latin America, Cuba, ska, reggae, electronic music and gypsy jazz.
Families attending the festival will be catered for with a Kids Zone and Curious Minds Experience running throughout the weekend.
Tickets are priced at £5 per day, with children under five admitted free and family ticket options available. Further information is available at visitmournegullionstrangford.com
Events Timetable
Cookery Demonstration Programme
Saturday 5 September – Hosted by Paul Cunningham
10.45am - 11.15am – Jenny Bristow
12noon - 12.30pm – Jenny Bristow
1.15pm - 1.45pm – Adam Morrison
2.30pm - 3pm – Ryan Harrison
3.45pm - 4.15pm – Bradley Webster
Sunday 6 September – Hosted by Paul Cunningham
10.45am - 11.15am – Suzie Lee
12noon - 12.30pm – Suzie Lee
1.15pm - 1.45pm – Paul Cunningham
2.30pm - 3pm – Paula McIntyre
3.45pm - 4.15pm – Paula McIntyre
Music Schedule
Saturday 5 September - Homegrown Stage
Hosts: Ria Maguire and Matthew Grainger
6.15pm - 7pm D:Ream
4.45pm - 5.30pm Eric Bell & When Ireland Rocked
3.15pm - 4pm Matt Benson
1.45pm - 2.30pm Annas Number
12.15pm - 1pm Taylor Lally
11am - 11.45am Battle of the Bands
Saturday World Stage
Host Ripton Lindsay
5.30pm - 6.15pm The Skallions
4pm - 4.45pm Wilson Magwere
2.30pm - 3.15pm Uplifted Gospel Choir
1pm - 1.45pm The Backbone Blues Band
11.45am - 12.15pm Anchor Ukes
Sunday 6 September
Sunday Homegrown Stage
Hosts: Ria Maguire and Matthew Grainger
6.15pm - 7pm JC Stewart
4.45pm - 5.30pm Lisa McHugh
3.15pm - 4pm The Outcasts
1.45pm - 2.30pm Muireann Bradley
12.15pm - 1pm Tribal Ting
11am - 11.45am Vera
Sunday World Stage
Host Ripton Lindsay
5.30pm - 6.15pm Baile an Salsa
4pm - 4.45pm Havana Roots
2.30pm - 3.15pm Manouche
1pm - 1.45pm Indigo Soul Band
11.45am - 12.15pm Newcastle Junior Glees
