Taste of Kildare is a fantastic opportunity for us all

Ballymore, founded in Kildare in 1982, has deep roots in the county. That's why we are proud to sponsor this year’s Taste of Kildare festival – a showcase of culinary expertise from across the region. Taking place over the weekend of September 20^th to 22^nd, Taste of Kildare promises to be the most diverse and immersive experience yet. In the weeks leading up to the event, we’ll hear from key voices shaping this remarkable festival.

Among them is Paul Linehan, owner of the Ballymore Inn – a renowned gastropub in County Kildare. Paul’s company, The Hartes Group, acquired this Kildare institution in 2022, continuing a legacy that spans three decades.

Here, Paul shares his thoughts on the shared values with Ballymore, his connections to the Mulryan family, and his passion for celebrating Kildare’s food and culture at this year’s Taste of Kildare in September.

I have a long history with Kildare. As a native of Kildare Town, I have a deep passion for the county's food and drink offerings.

My business partners and I established the Hartes Group n 2016 to celebrate Kildare’s culinary scene. We've opened several gastropubs across the county, a Brewery and also Firecastle which is cafe, bakery and deli with rooms, each giving people a place to enjoy great food in a welcoming environment.

18 months ago, we expanded our portfolio by acquiring the Ballymore Inn. Located near Ballymore’s River Walk neighbourhood, the pub has a stellar reputation, initially established by renowned chef, Georgina O’Sullivan. Her dishes attracted visitors from far and wide, and her 2015 book, ’Cooking at the Ballymore Inn’, highlighted the pub's culinary excellence. When Georgina approached us about purchasing the Ballymore Inn, we eagerly grabbed the opportunity.

Much like Sean Mulryan and his team have done in Ballymore Eustace, we sought to honour and celebrate the heritage of the pub and its surroundings. We've made subtle changes, ensuring we do justice to the reputation Georgina built and the pub shares the same spirit and quality as our other Kildare establishments, the Dew Drop Inn and Hartes of Kildare.

Throughout our tenure, we’ve received strong support from Sean Mulryan, his family and Ballymore colleagues, and we’re thrilled to maintain our connection with the company’s nearby River Walk neighbourhood. Historically, the Ballymore Inn has been a destination pub, drawing visitors from miles around but now thanks to the Mulryans and their team, River Walk is bringing new faces and young families through our doors.

Ballymore Eustace is unique in that it has retained its identity and remained small, even avoiding the mass development seen during the Celtic Tiger era. At the Ballymore Inn, we’re embracing that, adding our subtle touch while preserving the pub’s character.. Sean and his team have done the same at River Walk, resulting in a growing population in Ballymore Eustace – something that of course is great for our pub!

I’m excited to stand alongside Ballymore at the Taste of Kildare event – they are the sponsor and we are exhibitors. We have a lot planned for the weekend, including setting up a restaurant and participating in the producers’ tent with our café. Our restaurant menu will feature three offerings - including one item named after Ballymore.

We’ll showcase the best of what we do: the finest Irish produce presented in a gastropub setting. We’re known for our braised meats and slow-cooked dishes, and, in the case of the Ballymore Inn – great fresh fish. We take pride in local sourcing, especially the great barley from our local fields which we use to brew our own beer that’s served in the Ballymore Inn and all of our pubs.

Taste of Kildare is a fantastic opportunity for us all. The event has grown stronger each year, and this year promises to be a showstopper over three days. I can’t wait to get there and get started!