Brewing Power: Food and Drink in Sixteenth-Century Ireland

Dublin Castle, Friday 6th February - Saturday 21st February

A six-part interactive public lecture series at Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle is delighted to present a six-part public lecture series exploring how food and drink shaped everyday life, social relationships and authority in sixteenth-century Ireland. The series draws on new research conducted by the FoodCult project, led by Trinity historian Dr Susan Flavin, and moves between the kitchens of Dublin Castle and the reconstructed Tudor brew houses combining history, science, archaeology, craft and film.

Through talks, film and guided tastings, visitors are invited to discover what happens when history is re-enacted and comes to life demonstrating how food offers a powerful way of understanding lived experience in the past. The series considers the experiences of servants, the rhythms of everyday work and the role of food in shaping social interaction and religious life.

A distinctive feature of the series is its focus on brewing as historical practice. Several events highlight a long-term collaboration between the FoodCult project and Maurice Deasy of Canvas Brewing, a farmhouse brewery in County Tipperary. What began as a historical reconstruction has developed into an ongoing partnership, exploring how early modern brewing knowledge can inform contemporary craft. Using Irish-grown heritage grain and hops, malted on site, this work demonstrates how historical research can shape modern brewing practice.

Each event includes a guided tasting as part of this collaboration, allowing visitors to connect historical research with sensory experience.

The series runs at Dublin Castle on February 6–7, 13–14, and 20–21.


Date:
Friday 6th February - Saturday 21st February
Time:
7.00pm
Price:
From €7
Address:
Dublin Castle, Dame Street, Dublin 2, Ireland

Google Map of Dublin Castle, Dame Street, Dublin 2, Ireland

You might also like...

What's on

Halftone

The Library Project

The 11th Edition of HALFTONE Print Fair will be hosted for its longest run period to date 28 November 2025–25 January 2026 at The Library Project. The fair brings together a large selection of works by established and emerging artists, showcasing Ireland’s exciting art scene. HALFTONE is an initiative by PhotoIreland, hosted every year at The Library Project. Every edition, the fair brings together a large selection of works by established and emerging artists, showcasing Ireland’s exciting art scene. Come and enjoy a great selection of artworks from many disciplines and practic

What's on

Celebrating Irish Women Writers – The Three Laureates

Pearse Street Library

Ireland’s three Literature Laureates Patricia Forde (Laureate na nÓg), Éilís Ní Dhuibhne (Laureate for Irish Fiction) and Vona Groarke (Chair of Poetry) will come together to celebrate Irish women writers with musical responses from Doireann Ní Ghlacáin. Join us for a wide-ranging conversation, chaired by arts journalist Paula Shields. This event is free, but booking is essential. This event is brought to you by the Arts Council and Dublin UNESCO City of Literature. This event is part of Brigit Festival 2026: Dublin Celebrating Women

What's on

Art-Inspired Creative Writing Workshop celebrating St Brigit

Online

Join us for a 1-hour workshop inspired by poetry and stories about St. Brigid. Learn about her life and what she represents, exploring her feminine side as goddess and saint, scholar, environmentalist, and activist. Using selected images as prompts, participants will write a poem, story, memory piece, or any form of creative expression inspired by St. Brigid. This workshop focuses on creating and sharing, not criticism, and is open to adults over 18. Facilitators: Diarmuid Fitzgerald – Poet and writer with three published books, experienced in leading creative writing workshops at t