What To Expect From Dermot O’Leary’s Irish Gastronomy Travelogue

A brand new food and travel series is coming to ITV and ITVX, this time fronted by beloved TV presenter Dermot O’Leary as he travels around his ancestral home of Ireland. Here’s exactly what to expect from Dermot’s Taste of Ireland.

Dermot’s Taste Of Ireland: Everything We Know So Far

What Will Happen?

Dermot’s Taste of Ireland will follow the TV presenter as he journeys across the Emerald Isle, sampling national delicacies en route. The series is a ‘voyage of nostalgia and discovery,’ Dermot shared at a launch event last night (9 September), hosted at Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill in Mayfair with head chef Richard Corrigan, an Irishman who also features in the series. Having spent his childhood summers in Ireland, Dermot reflected on the pleasure it brought him to revisit his roots and discover a plethora of new details about the island, with his parents joining him for parts of the journey. People rarely go to Ireland for the food, he mused, but many come away with a new appreciation for it.

The This Morning presenter’s relationship with food runs deep: he initially worked in hospitality, and after making a splash as presenter of The X Factor, Dermot opened two of his own fish-themed restaurants with his wife, Dee Koppang O’Leary. Most recently, Dermot has been known to share his favourite recipes on This Morning.

In Dermot’s Taste of Ireland, viewers can expect five hour-long episodes discovering Ireland’s best-kept, most-delicious secrets, from Irish stew to soda bread, fresh seafood to boxty potato pancakes. Meanwhile, Dermot will explore the nation’s ancient coastlines, breathtaking landscapes and diverse cities, from Kinsale to Cork, Wexford to Dublin.

‘I can’t wait to embark on this trip, to explore two of my great loves, Ireland and food,’ Dermot said ahead of filming. ‘The food scene in Ireland is so exciting and to meet the people and try the produce will be a real treat. It’s exciting to see modern Ireland through second generation eyes – and to show that Ireland’s food is more than cabbage and stews… Although all their cabbage and stews are also great!’

The show is produced by Rock Oyster Media in partnership with Tourism Ireland – so we can expect to see some beautiful scenery on screen.

‘We’re delighted to be working with Dermot as he explores his passion for Ireland and food in this fantastic new series for ITV,’ Charlotte Davis, creative director at Rock Oyster Media, adds. ‘Dermot O’Leary’s Taste of Ireland will showcase all the very best of Irish produce, people and landscapes… As well as Dermot’s not inconsiderable cooking abilities! It promises to be a real treat.’

Where Was It Filmed?

Dermot’s Taste of Ireland spans the whole of the Emerald Isle, exploring everything from Michelin Star restaurants to oysters fresh from the sea. Highlights include the island’s gourmet capital Kinsale, the coast of Cork, home-grown comfort food in Wexford, the buzzy food scene in Dublin, the bustling city of Belfast and beyond.

‘Tourism Ireland was delighted to support the production of this new five-part series, Dermot’s Taste of Ireland,’ says Alice Mansergh, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland. ‘With millions of people across Britain set to tune into the series later this year on ITV1 and on the streaming service ITVX, it’s a great way to shine a spotlight on the island of Ireland – showcasing our delicious local produce, wonderful culinary offering and beautiful landscapes. Publicity and broadcasts like this are a key element of Tourism Ireland’s programme of promotional activity, to encourage travellers in Britain, and elsewhere around the world, to put the island of Ireland on their holiday wish-list.’

Release Date

No news just yet on a specific release date, but Dermot’s Taste of Ireland is expected to land on ITV and ITVX in late 2024. itv.com