As we arrived at Tully Mill on a crisp and cool autumn morning, a box of freshly picked produce from the Florence Court Kitchen Garden had just been delivered.

In it were picture-perfect carrots covered in a light dusting of soil, their flowing green tops still intact. They were accompanied by a whole selection of other hearty vegetables, from onions to beetroots.

The delivery was timely as we spoke to Tully Mill owner John Roche, and restaurant manager Mario Breban-McDonald, about the strong connection between the business and its next-door neighbour, Florence Court, where they are hosting a food market as part of the National Trust’s Harvest Festival of Colour this weekend (Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29).

John’s relationship with the National Trust began 11 years ago when he took over the running of the tea rooms at both Florence Court and its sister property, Castle Coole.

Around six months later, he opened his restaurant, Tully Mill.

Delighted to have maintained a close relationship with the National Trust over the 11 years, he shared his excitement to be working with the organisation this weekend.

Divided into two areas, the food market will take guests on a tantalizing culinary journey as they savour a diverse range of delicious local cuisines in the Food Village before stopping by the Artisan Village for take-home treats.

From farm-fresh produce to delectable artisanal creations, there’s something to satisfy every palate.

There will also be the chance to glean some top culinary tips from local baking sensations with cooking demonstrations running throughout the weekend.

With the Harvest food market, John explained that he not only aims to showcase stellar local food products but is also working towards creating a network of businesses, to work together in a bid to promote Fermanagh as a food tourism destination.

“We put out an expression of interest [for the food market] and we started to find there were a lot more [food businesses] out there that we didn’t know existed,” said John, going on to name a few.

“The Curly Pigs, Dough and Arrow, and Mullygarry Farm out in Monea. Then there’s Tickety Moo.

Weekend

“We’ve had a great relationship with them for the past 11 years through the National Trust, so [its owner] Gareth Grey is developing an apple and blackberry crumble ice cream for the weekend,” he noted.

Mario added: “I am more on the south of the Border, so I knew a lot of producers from the Geopark side – Drummully Boxty, Corleggy Cheeses.”

Believing that Fermanagh should have a food network similar to those operating in other areas of Northern Ireland such as Taste Causeway and Legenderry, John explained that he has been working on setting one in action, and the food market this weekend is an opportunity for the interested businesses to come together.

“I approached Fermanagh and Omagh District Council about three months ago [regarding the lack of a food network in the area].

“We’ve met but now we need to get more people on board and say what we want to do,” said John.

Using his collaborative relationship with the National Trust as an example of how businesses can both benefit from working together, with the hopes that the creation of the Fermanagh food network can encourage more collaborations, John said: “We are working with Florence Court, with their two new glass houses.

“We’re giving them our coffee grinds, which are being used as compost. They’re giving us vegetable boxes back, and herbs.”

He is also working with the National Trust on creating experiences for Tourism NI’s Embrace a Giant Spirit brand.

The brand was launched in 2019 to give Northern Ireland prominence on the island of Ireland and internationally, working to transform how visitors perceive the area, how they experience it when they arrive, and what memories they share when they leave.

However, John was recently informed that only five per cent of Embrace a Giant Spirit experiences are currently based in County Fermanagh.

By working with other businesses such as the National Trust and forming the food network, he hopes to help improve this statistic.

Experience

Mario added: “Shows like ‘Downton Abbey’ and ‘Bridgerton’ have [encouraged an] interest in how the people back in those days lived, the lords and ladies in the likes of Florence Court. There is a demand [for that type of experience].”

“It’s exciting trying these new things,” said John, noting that the experiences are to be officially launched with Tourism NI in April 2024.