As the smells of spicy, sweet and aromatic foods from all over the world drifted out into the air in Kildorrery, hundreds of people waited in line to taste the delicious treats and delicacies on offer at the annual Kildorrery International Food Fair.

As food lovers and curious tasters milled about the national school hall on Sunday last, they tasted English sausages with onion gravy, Korean fish dishes, sweet doughnut like treats from Nigeria, yam, beetroot salad from Lithuania, Korean rice balls and many other delights. 

One of the highlights was the pig's head with cabbage, served by 92-year-old Michael Collins and Frank McCarthy and Anna Magee served up brown bread and soup from the Titanic menu.

The food fair also resulted in the formation of a new jazz band with Donny Arnold, Danny Sheahan, David O'Keeffe, Kenneth Tweet Collins and Frank McCarthy.

The organisers of the Kildorrery International Food Fair would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who made the food fair possible this year – the many supporters, volunteers and helpers, and the teachers, staff and pupils of Kildorrery National School.

A very special thanks to everyone who supported the day, without the eating and enjoyment, the food fair would not be possible. Most importantly thanks to all those who gave their time preparing the wonderful food from Lithuania, Nigeria, Latvia, Japan, Ireland, New Zealand, Korea, England and a dedicated section for special diets.

The organisers also thanked Rachel Kelly and the teachers, staff and pupils of Kildorrery National School, Kildorrery Community Hall Committee, Kildorrery and Mitchelstown Gardai, Mitchelstown Credit Union, Silver Pail Dairy, Kildorrery GAA, Kildorrery NS Parents' Association, Monaghan’s Transport, Dave Dwane at exactsigns.ie, Raymond at Premier Catering Supplies, Fr O'Donovan, The publicans at Ollie’s Bar, Sheahan’s Hilltop Lounge and Walsh’s Corner House Frontiers and Mr Donny Arnold who played the trumpet throughout the day, lending a wonderful ambience to the whole experience.

On the day, a third fundraiser for toddler Fionn Doyle also took place. After Fionn, the son of Eimear and Jack, was diagnosed with leukaemia in March of this year, neighbours and friends rallied together to support them through fundraising. They held a coffee morning in Louise and Tomas Keating's home, which saw more than 100 people support it, and the national school also held a no uniform day. On the day of the food fair, ice creams were sold and a donation box was at the door to add to the funds raised for the Doyle family.

Eimear and Jack thanked everyone who supported them so far, saying that they have been overwhelmed by people's support and generosity.

"We would like to sincerely extend our thanks to everyone for the support they have shown us since Fionn became ill, to all those who attended the coffee morning, to the school for their no uniform day and those who supported the ice cream sale at the food fair.

"We are truly grateful for the kindness and generosity that has been shown to us at this difficult time. We are overwhelmed by all the support we have received. Knowing that we have the community behind us means an awful lot. Thank you," Eimear and Jack said.

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