Gluten free food fair for historic Belfast gaol

Gluten Free Ireland is to host its first exclusively gluten free food fair in Belfast's Crumlin Road Gaol on 17 September.

The decision reflects the outstanding success of Northern Ireland companies in this year's Free From Ireland Awards in Dublin.

Now in its sixth year, the Gluten Free Ireland Food Fairs are a miniature food expo for sufferers of Coeliac disease and those on a gluten free diet.

Attracting visitors from around the country, the family event showcases local and international gluten free food producers as well providing advice and support on living gluten free.

Gluten Free Ireland was started by husband and wife team, Derek and Christina Thompson from their home in Ballynahinch, county Down in 2010.

Michael Thompson, marketing director at Gluten Free Ireland, says: "People have travelled from Dublin and Donegal to attend our events in the past and we're incredibly excited to be coming to Belfast for the first time.

"The Crumlin Road Gaol is an amazing tourist attraction and fitted our criteria for free parking and easy access perfectly.

"Sourcing and buying gluten free food can be expensive enough so we aim to make the day as stress free as possible."

The Crumlin Road Gaol dates back to 1845 and closed its doors as a working prison in 1996. It has since been transformed into a major tourist attraction and part of the building is also the base for Belfast Distillery Company, an Irish whiskey distillery currently being developed.