MONAGHAN TOWN MUSHROOM FESTIVAL DEBUTS WITH DIVERSE PROGRAMME

Saturday will see Monaghan Town celebrate diverse aspects of an area of agri-food production in which it has become an international leader. The first-ever Monaghan Mushroom Festival will take place to coincide with European Mushroom Day on September 28. The festival aims to inspire and educate all locals and visitors on the health, versatility and sustainability benefits of mushrooms. Whilst acknowledging the scale of the impressive mushroom industry in both Monaghan and Ireland the festival aims to highlight the role mushrooms play in the future of biodiversity and their potential in other industries (such as health, agriculture, building, clothing and more).

A programme including talks, workshops and demonstrations is lined up for the event with various enthusiastic expert speakers including Patricia McCreesh (Biodiversity Officer Monaghan Co Council) discussing ‘Fungi And Their Essential Role In Our Ecosystem’, and Dr Tony Callaghan (Co-Founder/CEO SomaTech) speaking On ‘How Fungal Fermentation Can Unleash The Potential Application Of Fungi’. Bill O’Dea will present remotely on ‘The Wonderful World of Mushrooms, speaking about the identification and usefulness of wild woodland mushrooms. Not all the day’s events will have a scientific focus. Dervla McElvaney who will be the guide for a fabric mushroom-making workshop and Francis McCarron will delve into the connection between mushrooms and Irish folklore amongst other…