Press Release

For immediate release 11thApril 2014

Over 200 Hundred Visit Marine Hotel, Ballycastle in under 3 hours

April 5th will see some of the biggest brands in gluten free food production come to the Marine Hotel, Ballycastle for a special mini expo, organised by Gluten Free Ireland, Northern Ireland’s largest online community for sufferers of Coeliac disease.

International brands such as Riso Gallo will be on display alongside local brands like Dunola and over a dozen other producers.

Showcasing Gluten Free Food Available in Northern Ireland

Visitors can access the stands on display from 1pm to 4pm and chat with producers, suppliers and agencies involved in gluten free food production and distribution.

The Marine Hotel, is the first hotel in Northern Ireland to receive accreditation from Coeliac UK, the main organisation which licenses the grain symbol for food producers. Based in Ballycastle, County Antrim, The Marine Hotel offers a wide range of gluten free foods and are the first Northern Ireland stockist of CELIA lager, a naturally gluten free lager, recently introduced from Great Britain.

Coeliac Disease in Ireland

With Coeliac disease affecting one out of every hundred people in Ireland, the need for gluten free options in catering venues is paramount. Finding those venues and getting peace of mind can mean the difference between enjoying a day out and simply not leaving the house in fear of debilitating reactions to gluten intolerance.

While the after effects of eating food containing gluten varies from a painful rash to full blown sickness and joint pain, many people not diagnosed with Coeliac disease choose to lead a gluten free lifestyle to ease similar symptoms they experience.

A rise in both diagnosis and public awareness over the past five years has led to many eating establishments now offering gluten free foods and Gluten Free Ireland has been at the forefront of promoting such places.

Gluten Free Ireland
Gluten Free Ireland was started by husband and wife team, Derek and Christina Thompson from their home in Ballynahinch in 2010. Since then built by their son Michael, has become one of the best known and most active communities for people with Coeliac disease in Northern Ireland and Ireland. By building on the success of their hospitality database, a comprehensive list created by hand, Derek and Christina published the first guide book for eating out gluten free in Ireland, now available on Amazon.

Visiting the Event

The event will be open from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday 5th April in the Marine Hotel, Ballycastle. Parking is available at the hotel. Entry is free. For more details go to

Notes for Editors:

Gluten Free Ireland Limited is owned and operated by Derek and Christina Thompson and based in Ballynahinch, County Down

UK: 028 9263 9992

ROI: 048 9263 9992

Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest

For urgent press enquiries please contact Michael Thompson on: UK 07899 894205

ROI: +44 7899 894205

Gluten Free Ireland Limited

The leading supplier of gluten free and coeliac friendly venue information in Ireland.

30 Creevytenant Road

Ballynahinch

County Down

BT24 8UW

UK: 028 9263 9992

IE: 048 9263 9992

Registered No. NI619458

Gluten Free Ireland Limited
30 CreevytenantRoad, Ballynahinch, County Down, BT24 8UW
UK Tel: 028 9263 9992 ~ ROI Tel: 048 9263 9992 ~