TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Irish Cheese Types
Dubliner is an Irish cheese produced in County Cork. The cheese is made from cow's milk. Its texture is firm, smooth, and crystalline, while the flavors are nutty, sharp, and sweet. Dubliner has a natural rind, and today it is available in a wide variety of flavors.
The cheese was originally invented by John Lucey, who still keeps the secret recipe. It is recommended to serve the Dubliner with Cabernet or a pint of Guinness beer. Alternatively, it can be melted between slices of crusty brown bread.
Pair with
Milleens is an Irish farmhouse cheese made from the milk of Friesian cows grazing the Beara peninsula pastures of South West Ireland. This soft washed rind cheese has pungent and earthy aromas, while the flavors are mushroomy, floral, sweet, and herbaceous.
Milleens was originally invented in 1976 by Veronica and Norman Steele. Nowadays, the cheese is produced in 1kg (called Milleens O) and 200g versions (called Milleens Dote). The Dote cheeses are softer and have more fragrance than the O cheeses.
Pair with
Produced since 1979 by Willems family in County Cork, Coolea is a Gouda-style cheese made with cow's milk. Underneath its waxy outer layer, the cheese hides a firm, crumbly, and dense texture. When young, Coolea is buttery and mild in flavor, and as it ages (up to 18 months), it develops flavors that are sweet and caramel-like, with the protein crystals fully visible.
The cheese is sold as young Coolea (3 months), mature Coolea (12 months), and extra mature Coolea (18 months). It is recommended to use it in mac & cheese, with potatoes, or in a grilled cheese sandwich.
Pair with
Gubbeen is an Irish semi-soft cheese made from cow's milk. Underneath its washed rind, the cheese has a creamy and open texture. The flavors are nutty, milky, and buttery, with hints of grass and mushrooms. When young, Gubbeen has notes of flowers and hazelnut, and when mature, it develops notes of mushrooms and forest floor.
It is recommended to pair it with beer and aromatic white wines.
Pair with
Durrus is a semi-soft Irish cheese made from raw cow's milk. It's been produced in the valley of Coomkeen in West Cork since 1979. The cheese has a natural washed rind that is pinkish in color. Underneath it, there is a straw-colored paste with numerous irregular small eyes dispersed throughout it.
The texture is soft and pliable, while the flavors range from grassy, mellow, and mild when young (10 days) to strong, rich, and earthy when mature (5-8 weeks). It is recommended to pair Durrus with beer, prosecco, champagne, or medium-bodied red wines.
Pair with
Cashel Blue is an Irish cheese produced in County Tipperary. This blue cheese is made from local cow's milk. The producers, Jane and Louis Grubb, have been making this cheese since 1984. The young versions have a chalky and milky aromas and flavors, while the older cheeses are buttery and rich.
The ones that have been aged for more than 18 weeks have a robust flavor and granular texture. It's recommended to pair the young versions with Gewurztraminer, the medium-aged ones with Sauternes, and the aged versions with Port. You can also crumble Cashel Blue over salads or serve it with grapes, pears, and walnuts.
Pair with
Coolattin Cheddar is an Irish cheese originating from Carlow. The cheese is made from raw cow's milk. This cheddar has a coating of red wax on the exterior, while the texture underneath it is open and crumbly. The flavors of Coolattin are fruity and sweet when young, becoming more complex and nutty as it ages (1-2 years).
It's recommended to pair it with a glass of cider. There are also two other varieties of Coolattin – Vintage (2-3 years) and Smoked, which is creamier and has notes of smoke.
Dunbarra is a traditional cheese hailing from County Tipperary, where it's produced by Cooleney Farm. This brie-style cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and it's fully mature at 8 to 10 weeks. Underneath its white moldy rind, the texture is semi-soft, creamy, and buttery.
The flavors vary because the cheese comes in 3 versions: plain, garlic and dill, and pepper and poppy seeds. It's recommended to pair Dunbarra with sparkling wines and Beaujolais.
Pair with
Lavistown is an Irish caerphilly-style cheese hailing from Stoneyford. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and it's left to mature from 2 to 8 months. Underneath its natural brushed rind, the texture is semi-hard, dry, firm, and crumbly.
Produced in the shape of millstones, Lavistown is one of the oldest Irish farmhouse cheeses. The flavors are milky, creamy, acidic, tangy, and herbaceous.
St Tola Log is an Irish cheese hailing from Inagh in County Clare, where it's produced by Inagh Farmhouse Cheese Ltd. The cheese is made from pasteurized or raw goat's milk and it's named after the local patron saint. The logs come in two versions – mature and fresh.
The mature version has a smooth, soft, and creamy texture, while the flavors are sweet and floral with honey undertones, deepening as the cheese ages. The fresh version is younger and less complex than the mature version, with lighter structure and fresher, cleaner flavors.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Irish Cheese Producers
Ornua Cooperative is an Irish agri-food cooperative that markets and sells dairy products on behalf of its members, who are mainly dairy processors and Irish dairy farmers. It operates under the Kerrygold brand, which is known for its butter and cheese.
Ornua exports to over 110 countries and has production facilities and sales offices around the world, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Middle East, and Africa.
AWARDS
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2018
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019
Global Cheese Awards - Best
2018
BEST Ornua Cheeses
Coolattin Cheddar is a cheese producer that specializes in crafting traditional cheddar cheese. They focus on using milk from their own herd of pasture-fed cows. The cheese is known for its distinct, rich flavor and is matured for a minimum of six months.
The company emphasizes sustainable farming practices and high animal welfare standards in their production process.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
BEST Coolattin Cheddar Cheese Cheeses
AWARDS
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2019
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019
BEST Carbery Group Cheeses
Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers is located in Fethard, County Tipperary, Ireland. The company is known for producing Cashel Blue, a semi-soft blue cheese, which was Ireland’s first blue cheese, introduced in 1984. The cheese is still made on the same farm by the Grubb family, who are the original founders.
Beyond Cashel Blue, the company also produces Crozier Blue, a sheep's milk blue cheese.
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022, 2019
Tirlán is an Irish cooperative known for producing high-quality dairy products, including cheese. It is a joint venture between Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited and Glanbia plc. The company sources milk from dairy farmers primarily based in Ireland.
Tirlán also focuses on sustainability and innovation within the dairy industry.
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Tirlán Cheeses
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022, 2021
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2019
BEST J. & L. Grubb Ltd. / Cashel Blue Cheeses
Green Pastures (Donegal) is a family-run dairy business located in County Donegal, Ireland, which specializes in producing a variety of cheese products. Their offerings include soft cheeses tailored for the food service industry as well as retail markets.
The company places an emphasis on using local milk to create their cheeses, highlighting the importance of sustainability and supporting the regional farming community. Green Pastures (Donegal) also plays a role in the local economy by providing employment opportunities in the area.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2022
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023, 2022
BEST Green Pastures Cheeses
Boyne Valley Cheese is a cheese producer based in Ireland. The company focuses on handcrafted, artisan cheeses made from local ingredients. Founded in 2007 by Michael and Mary Finnegan, it utilizes traditional methods for cheese production. The dairy sources milk from their own herd of goats, contributed to the unique flavors of their cheeses.
Their product range includes cheeses like Boyne Valley Blue and Boyne Valley Bán.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
BEST Boyne Valley Cheese Cheeses
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2019
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2021
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
BEST Macroom Buffalo Cheese Products Cheeses
Sheridans Cheesemongers, established in 1995 by brothers Seamus and Kevin Sheridan, is based in County Meath, Ireland. The company specializes in selling Irish and European artisan cheeses, sourced from both small-scale producers and larger cheese-making operations.
Sheridans Cheesemongers also operates several shops and market stalls across Ireland and has developed a unique partnership with vineyards for pairing cheeses with wines.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023
BEST Sheridans Cheesemongers Cheeses
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Irish Cheeses
Coolattin Cheddar Ltd. produces a cheese known as Mount Leinster Clothbound. This cheese is notable for its rich, mature flavor profile and is recognizable by its distinctive cloth binding, which aids in the aging process, allowing the cheese to develop a unique texture and depth of taste.
Mount Leinster Clothbound is crafted using traditional methods, contributing to its artisanal quality. This cheese is often sought after by connoisseurs who appreciate well-aged cheddars with complex flavors.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
Crozier Blue is an artisanal blue cheese produced by J. & L. Grubb Ltd., the same company that created the famous Cashel Blue cheese. This cheese is distinctive because it is made from sheep's milk, unlike Cashel Blue which is made from cow's milk.
The use of sheep's milk imparts a rich and creamy texture to Crozier Blue, along with a slightly sweet and nutty flavor that differentiates it from its cow's milk counterpart. Crozier Blue is characterized by its soft, moist texture and its blue veins that provide a sharp and spicy contrast.
It is named after the Crozier shepherd's crook, reflecting its pastoral origins.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
Mild White Cheddar made by Ornua Co-operative Ltd. is a high-quality cheese known for its smooth texture and mild flavor profile. It is produced from the milk of cows that are predominantly grass-fed, which contributes to its fresh, creamy taste. Ornua Co-operative Ltd. is an Ireland-based dairy cooperative renowned for producing and exporting premium dairy products around the world.
Mild White Cheddar cheese typically matures for around 3 to 6 months, which allows it to develop a milder taste compared to sharper, aged Cheddars.
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022
Tirlan produces a variety of dairy products, including Cheddar cheese. The Cheddar made by Tirlan is known for its rich, creamy texture and distinct flavor, which is developed through traditional aging processes. Tirlan takes pride in sourcing high-quality milk from local dairy farms, ensuring freshness and superior taste in their Cheddar.
For more specific details, such as the variety of Cheddar available and nutritional information, please consult Tirlan’s official resources.
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
Kerrygold Mature is a type of cheese produced by Ornua Co-operative Ltd., an Irish dairy co-operative. The cheese is known for its rich, complex flavors that come from being allowed to mature over a longer period compared to standard cheeses. The product is made from the milk of grass-fed cows, giving it a distinctive taste and high nutritional value.
This cheese has a firm texture and a slightly sharp, nutty flavor profile, making it versatile for a variety of culinary uses such as in sandwiches, cheese boards, or simply enjoyed on its own.
AWARDS
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2018
Global Cheese Awards - Best
2018
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
St Tola in Ash is a distinctive product crafted by Inagh Farmhouse Cheese Ltd., known for its unique method of production involving ash. This particular cheese is a type of goat cheese that features a line of edible ash through its center, which is a traditional technique that dates back to the preservation methods used in France.
The ash not only contributes to the distinctive appearance and flavor profile of the cheese but also helps in regulating its acidity and promoting the development of its rind. St Tola in Ash is celebrated for its creamy texture, and the ash adds a slight earthy flavor that complements the natural tang of the goat cheese.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
AWARDS
Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2019
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
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