Macroom & Midleton food festivals

A combination of images and text: a logo of the government of ireland, the eu flag with text co-funded by the european union, the, sicap (social inclusion and community activation programme) logo and text "the social inclusion and community activation programme (sicap) is co-funded by the irish government, through the department of rural and community development and the gaeltacht, and the european union through the european social fund plus under the employment, inclusion, skills and training (eist) programme 2021 - 2027"

Celebrating Multiculturalism Through Food

Supported through SICAP

Each year, the Macroom Food Festival and Midleton’s fEast Cork light up the calendar as South Cork’s largest community-led food events. These vibrant festivals celebrate local produce, global flavours, and the unique power of food to bring people together.

Midleton 2025 foot fest - secad partnership clg
Showcasing Georgian traditional dishes at the Midleton Celebrating Multiculturalism Through Food SECAD event, 2025.

Since 2017, SECAD’s initiative – Celebrating Multiculturalism Through Food – has brought a vibrant intercultural dimension to both towns. Through shared culinary experiences, it has fostered meaningful connections between long-standing residents and newer community members from over 40 countries.

These festivals foster cultural understanding, reduce isolation, and build lasting
community ties, demonstrating how shared food can break down barriers and
celebrate diversity.

Midleton 2025 nuala and laura - secad partnership clg
SECAD partnership employees at the Midleton Food festival, 2025

SECAD Partnership promotes social inclusion, supporting isolated and vulnerable community members through personal development, capacity-building, and integration initiatives – this is one such story.

Discover more stories highlighting SECAD’s 30-year journey in promoting rural development and social inclusion in East, South, and West Cork and across the island of Ireland since 1995.

A combination of images and text: a logo of the government of ireland, the eu flag with text co-funded by the european union, the, sicap (social inclusion and community activation programme) logo and text "the social inclusion and community activation programme (sicap) is co-funded by the irish government, through the department of rural and community development and the gaeltacht, and the european union through the european social fund plus under the employment, inclusion, skills and training (eist) programme 2021 - 2027"