Not just apples in the Orchard County

Apples are usually the first thing you think about when someone mentions Armagh.

Thousands of apples are grown in the county’s countryside, giving it the nickname of the Orchard County.

But plenty of other local produce is on display at the annual Food and Cider Weekend which kicks off on Thursday.

“The orchards may be the biggest but it’s not the only thing that’s important,” a local beekeeper told BBC News NI.

Business owner Christine Marshall, from Markethill, makes a range of beeswax products, but it is her honey that always proves most popular.

“Honey has a big local aspect in Armagh,” she told BBC News NI.

“Its benefits are known here and it’s nice to meet people that benefit from it.

“We have rich agriculture in Armagh, I don’t think there’s enough said about it, we need more festivals to showcase everything there is on offer.”

She added that the bees are also big fans of County Armagh.

“We are the best county for them, for flowers and crops for the bees,” she said.

“It’s hard to beat home.”

There are pale ales, stout and gin, but no cider at Ryan McCracken’s brewery and distillery in Portadown.

“I wanted to do something different,” Mr McCracken told BBC News NI.

“Armagh is known for brilliant cider producers and there was a gap and I love beer.”

The business owner said he had never tried craft beer until he went on a beer tour and then his wife got him a home brew kit.

“It’s how most people start out but it all grew from there – own recipes and local ingredients.”

Mr McCracken uses Armagh oats for his Irish stout and local heather is put into his gin alongside 11 other botanicals.

“These have distinct flavours and it’s important to me to have that,” he said.

“Sourced and bought locally, our labels, our uniforms, are all made just down the street.”

He said the people of Armagh are the reason his business continues.

“You support them and you get the support back,” he said.

“We wouldn’t have gotten here without everyone – and it’s great to get people trying new things.

“Armagh is more than cider, it’s brilliant for producing local artisan teams with food and drink and all sorts.”

Bob Taylor owns a woodcraft business in Portadown.

While he will have many products on offer, he also caters to the apple market with small chopping boards.

“Apples on their own would be boring,” he added.

“Going to events and markets like this and seeing so much more local produce, just like the cider, it’s fantastic.”

Mr Taylor said his craft was just a hobby that grew with help from the local council and community.

“This was an evening/weekend hobby for me and now it’s grown and getting the recognition is great,” he said.

“I wasn’t getting recognition and then I got support, fantastic support and kept practising, and now I’m here.”

He said the more events held in Armagh the stronger the support gets.

“Next year there’ll be more. Presence is important and I have already been supported hugely by the community – it’s so great to see.”