First ever gluten free roadshow taking place in Midlands

The Coeliac Society of Ireland have announced that their first ever Gluten Free Road Show will take place on October 8 next in the Tullamore Court Hotel.

This will be the first in-person event the society has organised for members of the public in three years.

The roadshow will provide anyone living with coeliac disease or severe gluten intolerances with an opportunity to meet and speak with the experts who will demonstrate how to live a full and healthy life gluten free.

Gill Brennan, chief executive of the Coeliac Society of Ireland, said: “We are excited to be back with a live and in person event for the first time in three years. The Gluten Free Road Show offers a fantastic opportunity for those individuals, whether diagnosed or just suspect they may be coeliac or gluten intolerant, to talk to medical professionals, have the chance to hear and interact with a dietetic clinician, and to meet the many other experts who will be on hand to offer guidance.

“An added bonus will be our live cooking demonstrations from our in-house food safety and Technical food advisor as well as leading celebrity chef Adrian Martin who will share their culinary secrets in how to safely prepare tasty and nutritious meals that which will cater for their medically necessary dietary requirements.”

“Thankfully, the days of not been able to interact and share experiences of being coeliac are over, and the Coeliac Society is once again striving to make Ireland the best country in the world to live gluten free. This show and others we will schedule over the next twelve months will help us to achieve this as we continue to support, empower, educate, and inspire those living a gluten free life.”

Coeliac symptoms, and those of gluten intolerance, can be debilitating and include stomach pains, constipation, weight loss, and migraines.

Longer-term issues associated with untreated coeliac disease are more serious and can include anaemia, osteoporosis, and fertility issues. The only treatment is a strict gluten free diet for life.

Based on European averages and a recent study In Finland, there us estimated to be around 76,500 people in Ireland with coeliac disease. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that this may be higher in Ireland. There are also thought to be 500,000 people in Ireland who have some form of gluten intolerance.

The inaugural Gluten Free Road Show runs from 11am to 4.30pm on October 8 and will have a limited attendance. For more information on the event and the Coeliac Society of Ireland, please visit https://coeliac.ie/ or follow the society on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.