Drogheda has a new way to experience its history, culture, and culinary talent – one bite at a time.
The brainchild of well-known restaurateur Mark McGowan, the man behind Scholars, Peggy Moores and Sunday Street, Drogheda Food Tours is a walking experience that blends storytelling, local flavour, and a touch of surprise.
“I always had a huge love for food and the variety of ways produce can be used to create something magical,” Mark says. “We’ve always pushed ourselves in Scholars to be a leader in utilising local produce and creating innovative dishes. I get a real buzz from buying straight from the farmers and producers locally and bringing all the components together with great service to create memories for people through food and drink.”
A Concept Years in the Making
The idea was born at tourism cluster meetings with input from Fáilte Ireland, Louth County Council and Drogheda BIDs. A research trip to Kilkenny to see how other towns were running their tours helped shape the vision, but ultimately Mark felt Drogheda needed its own unique version.
“I had gone on many food tours – Bristol, Vienna, Lisbon, Berlin, San Sebastian, Amsterdam – and always wanted to create one for Drogheda,” he explains. “Drogheda most definitely has a niche as it has not been done before.”
With three venues of his own to anchor the concept and the support of fellow food businesses, he knew it was time.
What to Expect
A typical tour is a three-hour journey across food, history, and culture. Guests might start with a glass of bubbles and Irish charcuterie, taste local cream liqueur paired with handmade chocolates, discover murals telling Drogheda’s mythical past, or sample everything from artisan pizza topped with Ballymakenny potatoes to a humble – but iconic – batter burger.
“The idea is to showcase what our passionate producers, restaurateurs and town as a whole has to offer,” says Mark. “The tour brings a bit of history, heritage and culture to life while indulging in a variety of dishes, wine tastings and a beer or two along the way. It is very sociable and a lovely way to see the town through a different lens.”
The balance is carefully thought out: 25% drinks, 25% sweet treats, and 50% savoury dishes. Stops rotate, with recent highlights including Five Good Things café, Song & Jenn’s ramen, and Sunday Street’s Ballymakenny potato pizza.
Changing Perceptions
Mark admits that locals can sometimes underestimate Drogheda’s food offering – something he’s determined to change.
“Come on the tour and I’ll show you!” he laughs. “I’d like to see the people of Drogheda being a bit more positive about the offering that is out there and support them wherever you can.”
The tours don’t just show visitors the town – they show locals a new side of it too, from hidden streets to producers they may never have tried.
“The natural landscape and layout of the town makes this tour more unique than some I visited across Europe. It’s compact, which means less walking, and every corner of the wall is a story of the past. It’s jam packed with history.”
Looking Ahead
Still in its first year, Drogheda Food Tours is already winning rave reviews. One recent group told Mark they were “blown away by the history” and praised the experience as excellent value for money.
There are plans for themed tours at festivals, as well as wine nights, pub tours that finish with a local dish, mystery venues, and summer street food events. “There are endless possibilities,” Mark says. “But this is a marathon, not a sprint.”
At its heart, though, the tour is about more than food.
“I know that it contributes to the overall success of the town,” says Mark. “I know that once they experience this, there is a huge chance they will be a return visitor to Drogheda.”
The next Drogheda Food Tour takes place this Friday, October 3rd. Tickets are available now at droghedafoodtours.ie.
