2024 Treehouse Guinness and Oyster Festival Highlights
“The sun shone, the grass grew, the music played, and the children smiled…..”
THE DAY
What a day! Our second Treehouse Guinness and Oyster Festival was even bigger and better than our inaugural event and we couldn’t have been happier to see lots of familiar faces and meet so many of the local community.
The day began at 11.30am, with The Feel Good Project's beautiful airstream setup on our courtyard ready for haircuts and styling to raise money for the Irish Support Agency. Joining them in the courtyard were the guys from Fire Mates, cooking oysters Kilpatrick and Galway chowder over fire and selling their Kielty’s Irish Sauces as well as My Mate’s Relish, in front of the iconic St James Gate.
Inside the main dining space we had friends from Drumshambo Gunpowder Gin which was paired with Fever Tree tonic, wines from Kym Teusner’s ‘Moments of Clarity’ snuggled in next to local oyster farmer Ben, shucking fresh East33 oysters on demand, and Coole Swan handing out nips of delicious, creamy Irish liquor. Meg was on hand to paint faces young and old in the Irish theme too!
The gorgeous dancers from Dwyer-Whelan Dance Academy were a highlight as always, entertaining the crowds and melting everyone’s hearts with their junior dancers.
Nestled into the bar area were the incredible trad musicians powered by Aris Music and friends, who steadily grew throughout the day. Not a soul who wondered past them were able to keep from belting out a lyric here and there, naturally compelled to join in with the festivities.
In front of the kitchen our Head Chef and part Treehouse owner Dave was handing out fluffy rolls full of whole roast pig, plus the odd inappropriate joke or two. Guests also enjoyed cocktail sausages and chips provided by Shay Stanley from The Irish Butcher and creamy vanilla ice cream drizzled with Shanky’s Whip liquor.
Out on the terrace our busy pop up Guinness bar played host to an epic Guinness pouring competition with over 15 competitors, plus Salma from East33 Oysters was shucking and throwing oysters out by the dozen with droppers of Laphroaig whiskey, next to a stall from award winning premium Irish Whiskey, Writers Tears.
THE NIGHT
From 6pm, we hosted our Spectacular Irish Feast, raising funds and awareness for The Irish Support Agency. A ticketed evening promising a four course dinner, three hour beverage package, live music and craic that was 90.
Attendees were treated to the angelic folk sounds from Ais O’Neill on arrival, recent winner of the ‘young folk artist of the year award’. Playing on the stage with her father Ken, the ambiance created was incredibly special and set the night up beautifully.
East33 Oysters, entrees and freshly baked Irish soda bread from Paddy The Baker were soon flying out, pints of Guinnes and Moments of Clarity wines by Kym Teusner were hitting the table and guests were getting to know their neighbours - a true social gathering only the Irish can muster.
A speech from Alan of The Irish Support Agency reaffirmed the purpose of this beautiful evening and got the crowds going, followed by mains like Guinness braised beef cheeks from Shay Stanley of ‘The Irish Butcher’ and King Salmon glazed in Irish whiskey were served accompanied shortly after by dark chocolate and Guinness cake.
The lads from The Full Irish, organised through the spectacular Rebecca Harkin, took to the stage to finish the dinner and not one bum was left on a seat! Absolutely great craic with guests up and dancing and singing along - the perfect finish to an absolutely incredible day!
LOOKING FORWARD
A huge thank you to all the vendors involved in the day and of course everyone that attended and enjoyed the festivities, we managed to beat last year’s fundraising target of $5000 for The Irish Support Agency which we’re stoked about. We’re already SUPER keen to get started on the 2025 festival but for now, check out some more images of the 2024 day below… Sláinte!
