Pictured: Aisling Scully, BA Ag – Adjudicator of the 2026 L.F. ‘Best Factory Heifer Award, Michael Kerrins, Tralee Branch Manager, FBD, Jimmy Deenihan, Albert Barrett, FBD Life & Pensions,John O’Connor, Chairman, Listowel Livestock Mart, PJ Mulvihill, General Manager, Listowel Livestock Mart, John McGlynn, FBD Representative, North Kerry & West Limerick – Shot on location at Listowel Livestock Mart. Photo by: John Kelliher Photography
The Listowel Food Fair is set to host its 31st staging of the forthcoming festival in the North Kerry town of Listowel with a full festival programme of events starting on Thursday 5th to Monday 9th November 2026.
The Listowel Food Fair was originally launched in 1995 as a specialised food fair. Listowel, located in North Kerry has a reputation for its lush landscapes and fertile land, making it an ideal location for the production of high-quality food and beverages. As such, the Listowel Food Fair became a platform for many food producers to highlight their artisan food products such as cheeses, baked goods, beverages and more.Now in its 31st year, the Listowel Food Fair celebrates many successful years of promoting culinary talent and fostering a sense of community pride. The festival has continued to evolve and adapt to changing tastes and trends while staying true to its mission of celebrating the rich culinary heritage of Listowel and North Kerry. The Listowel Food Fair not only celebrates the region’s culinary offerings but also its cultural heritage.
Listowel Food Fair is pleased to announce a new partnership with Ireland’s largest insurance provider, FBD Insurance plc who join the major supporting line up of new sponsors, to support the Listowel Food Fair’s diverse agricultural, food production and culinary programme.This new partnership, announced today, recognises the shared goals and values of FBD Insurance and Listowel Food Fair, supporting Ireland’s agricultural and agri-food sectors while also supporting small rural businesses.
This year’s Listowel Food Fair ‘Farming Seminar’ will take place on Monday 9th November 2026 and will be attended by Niall Collins TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture. Presentation of the 2026 Listowel Food Fair ‘Best Factory Heifer Award’ will also take place on the night. The Farming Seminar addresses important and topical issues within the Irish farming and agricultural sectors.
FBD Insurance is delighted to support the forthcoming Listowel Food Fair. Speaking about the new partnership Michael Kerins, FBD Insurance Branch Manager, Tralee said:
“FBD Insurance is Ireland’s leading local, homegrown insurer and supporting community initiatives like the Listowel Food Fair are at core of what we do. The 2026 edition of this renowned festival promises to be a fantastic showcase for local food and culture, and we are very excited to be partnering with it.”
Speaking about the new partnership with FBD Insurance Jimmy Deenihan said: “Listowel Food Fair’s history of supporting the farming and agricultural community of North Kerry and West Limerick, combined with our core remit of highlighting food production in this region over the past thirty one years, has laid a strong foundation for the formation of this new partnership with FBD Insurance.As a non for profit and voluntary led community festival, we rely on such partnerships with organisations who share our values and goals. We welcome this new partnership with FBD Insurance, and we look forward to working with FBD Insurance to support the continued growth of the Listowel Food Fair in future years”.
The Positive Ageing Seminar – In Association with Listowel Credit Union takes place on Friday 6th November 2026 at 7pm at the Listowel Community Centre. A festival highlight, this event features a series of guest speakers including Minister Kieran O’Donnell TD and Dr. Niall Moyna, Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology, DCU. Dr Susan Crawford will host an Autism Seminar on Saturday 7th November 2026 at 11am at the Listowel Community Centre.
TV Chef & Food Author Rory O’Connell will meet with local Kerry artisan producers and customers at Garvey’s Supervalu Listowel at 11am on Saturday 7th November 2026. Then at 2pm Rory O’Connell takes to the stage at the Listowel Arms Hotel for a live ‘Cooking Demonstration’. Award Winning Kerry Chef TJ O’Connor, Head of Culinary Arts at MTU will then deliver a ‘Cooking Demonstration’ at 3pm.
The 2026 Listowel Food Fair is supported by Kinisla, Fáilte Ireland, Kerry County Council, Kerry Local Enterprise Office, FBD Insurance plc, Garvey’s Supervalu Listowel, John J Galvin & Son Ltd, Listowel Credit Union, Media365, Buckley Agri and Tipperary Crystal.
FBD Insurance plc is the ‘Preferred Insurance Partner’ of the 2026 Listowel Food Fair.
Information on the 2026 Listowel Food Fair is available at www.listowelfoodfair.ie.
Tickets can be purchased at www.eventbrite.ie
