County Derry to feature in RTÉ's new food tour series presented by award-winning chef

Award winning chef Neven Maguire visits County Derry as part of a brand new six-part series on RTÉ One this Autumn.

The popular chef will take viewers on his travels through Ulster, celebrating the great food and culture of the province. 

Neven's Ulster Food Tour sees Neven meeting food producers, chefs and bakers, as he visits cafes, restaurants and castles enjoying some of the delicious flavours Ulster has to offer, and meeting some of the people who are putting Ulster's food culture on the map.

Neven also tries out several activities during the six-part series, including crossing a very shaky rope bridge, undertaking a hovercraft obstacle course, and visiting George Best's childhood home in Belfast.

This combination of food, great activities and the people, is what makes Ulster one of Ireland's most exciting destinations. 

And as Neven's MacNean House and Restaurant in Cavan was awarded Best Restaurant in Ulster 2025, the popular chef, who also received the Outstanding Achievement Award recognising his contribution to Irish food and hospitality, is delighted to  present the first RTÉ food series filmed solely in Ulster:

"I was so excited to get back on the road for another food adventure, and this time I explored closer to home. Just around the corner is the border so I know Ulster a little, but I've never really explored it. I'm so pleased to dedicate a food series to Ulster for the first time.

"I learned so much and met some amazing people and enjoyed some great activities. What excites me is the prospect for food in the future, and here in Ulster we have some of the best produce in the world.

"The people were so friendly and kind, and they're proud of what they do and where they come from. That's what makes it so special and unique.

 It's an exciting time for food and travel in Ireland, especially in Ulster, and I think the best is yet to come".

At the end of each episode Neven cooks something special back home in Blacklion, inspired by the produce he enjoys on his journey.

Programme four in the series focuses on Antrim Coast and Derry.

During the episode, Neven visits Glenarm Castle in Ballymena where he wanders around the gardens with estate manager Adrian Morrow, and also sees their famous Shorthorn Beef Cows. Neven checks into one of  the estate's Ocean View Pods for a night of glamping, and he enjoys some of that famous shorthorn beef, cooked on an open fire. 

Neven also visits Dunluce Castle with tour coordinator Mark Rodgers and braves the famous and quite shaky Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, and learns about the history of both. 

Neven then visits Morelli's ice cream shop in Portrush, where he chats to Arnaldo and Danielle Morelli about their fifth generation family business as he samples some of their award winning flavours.

Limitless Adventure Centre in Limavady presents Neven with a challenge as he completes a hovercraft time trial obstacle course, before winding down his day of food and activities at Artis in Derry City. Here, Head Chef Phelim O'Hagan prepares a tasting menu featuring seasonal and locally sourced ingredients as Neven enjoys a fine dining experience.

Neven's own recipe this week is Vanilla and Hazelnut No-Churn Ice Cream with Poached Pears and Chocolate Sauce.