Our selection from their smorgasbord of delectables
Body & Soul’s keenly considered programming from major to minor is well known, their attention to detail unrivalled as it weaves a thrilling tapestry from magical moments. We are well familiar with some of their headline bookings (Moderat, Fever Ray, Goldfrapp, Kneecap, The Blaze). However, we want to delve into some of other happenings at Ballinlough next month under their theme of ‘Community’. Here’s our selection from a wealth of offerings which embrace the circular economy and will serve to enlighten your weekend with new tastes and thoughts.
Curated Summer Solstice Meal
by Jane Gleeson (Guzzle)
“Several months ago, I received an email from chefs Tom Hayes (The River Café, Oens Have) and Tom Arnold (Hawksmoor, The River Café, Brat) who were keen to partner on a Guzzle event that would allow them to bring their learnings from London and Copenhagen back home to Ireland. After a blue-sky brainstorming session, we pictured an open-air dinner that would showcase the diversity and quality of Irish produce in an idyllic location. We couldn’t have wished for a better setting than the walled gardens at Body & Soul, so I was thrilled to be asked to host Guzzle’s second dining experience at this year’s festival.
Simple dishes will pay homage to seasonality throughout one of the longest weekends of the year and – in the spirit of Body & Soul’s community theme – we’re designing the menu in collaboration with a wonderful team of Irish producers and a wine pairing by Brian’s Wines. Tickets will be limited to keep the event as intimate as possible and will be available to purchase from www.bodyandsoul.ie soon.” – Jane Gleeson
Amanda Adé x Off Trance: Sounds of the Underground
“Sounds of the Underground” is a creative experience curated to spotlight movers and shakers from within the Black and mixed race Irish community. Programmed by Off Trance, the creative collective founded by Amanda Adé, Sounds of the Underground will celebrate beauty, art, and culture, centered around the idea of community building and nurturing experiences between people, but done through the lens of Black Irish creatives. The event features a range of activities, including art exhibitions, live music performances and poetry readings.
Short panel discussion on topics ranging from entrepreneurship and creative careers to mental health and self-care will also occur at Body & Soul. These sessions are designed to provide practical advice and guidance for those looking to navigate the challenges of the creative industry.
Rudi-Lee McCarthy: Fulacht
Rudi-Lee McCarthy is a young emerging artist, chef and creative thinker. Porto Aperta is his subversion of the fine dining concept, a pop-up restaurant that rejects the traditional norms of consumer-based hospitality. It formed the basis of his final year degree show. As an artist, event coordinator, chef and creative thinker McCarthy’s focus always finds sight on possible solutions in his everyday practice to the climate crisis. At Body & Soul, he’ll present Fulacht (barbecue) which presents a tasting menu alongside a culinary discussion about the cooking techniques and cultural context of the used ingredients. Anticipate beef tongue cooked over turf, lacto-fermented berries and shitake and chanterelle skewers based in hay-smoked oil as part of the menu.
Claire Davey (America Village Apothecary): Moon Ritual Cocktail & Hinterland discussion/launch
Working with plants, people and nature Claire Davey believes that the transformation that our planet so desperately needs lies in the integration and intersection of nature, activism and compassion. Claire is a liquid alchemist and owns America Village Apothecary, she has worked with drinks brands, individuals and projects such as William Grant & Sons – Hendricks, Prizefight Whiskey, Steven Grasse and Drop Everything.
She is currently distilling in Galway City Distillery and is working on Hinterland, a new social enterprise project. Claire will facilitate a new moon ritual with a cocktail and moon elixir including seasonal plants and botanicals such as hawthorn, oak and lovage.
She will also be launching Hinterland, a new social enterprise aiming to build sustainable food systems through collective regeneration. “We aim to inspire change and equip future change-makers with necessary tools for meaningful transformations, while promoting collaboration between communities, government, and industry towards actionable systems,” says Claire.
In attendance with Claire will be fellow founders: Enda McEvoy (Michelin starred chef, owner Eán Galway and formerly Loam Restaurant and Fergal McAindir (Leaf & Root Farm).
Body & Soul is on in Ballinlough Castle from June 16-19.
Weekend camping: €249, Sunday Day tickets: €129
