Alternative Bread Company

Unit 22 The English Market, Grande Parade, Cork.

It’s hard to believe that the Alternative Bread Company stall in the English market has been established for eleven years. Packed as it is with modern day breads to beat the band, it could almost be one of the newest additions to the array of epicurean delights this cult food market now offers Cork city shoppers. But no… this place is part of the culinary furniture of the market, and no wonder as Sheila Fitzpatrick has been in the food business for thirty years.

Find out more about Alternative Bread Company >>

Apple Farm (The)

Moorstown, Cahir, Co Tipperary.

Tipperary’s fertile pastures are ideal for apple orchards and at The Apple Farm in Cahir, owner Cornelius Traas knows that and has made the most of what nature provided for over 40 years. His orchards produce juicy, crisp apples that in turn give their bright, fresh flavours to the handmade and pressed apple juice that Cornelius produces here on the farm.

Find out more about Apple Farm (The) >>

Ardrahan Farmhouse Cheese

Ardrahan, Kanturk, Co Cork.

Grazing happily on the lush Kanturk pasture land, it’s no wonder the Ardrahan herd produce such wonderful milk that is that form the characteristics of the unique flavour of Ardrahan Farmhouse Cheeses. Those clever people at Ardrahan have also specially produced Lullaby Milk, cows are milked in the dark of the morning and as a result their milk retains all its natural goodness and creaminess.

Find out more about Ardrahan Farmhouse Cheese >>

Ardsallagh Goat Farm

Carrigtwohill, Co Cork.

Jane and Gerard Murphy’s award wining Ardsallagh Goat’s Cheese is one of the original Irish farmhouse cheeses. It was first produced in two styles - as a soft fresh goat’s cheese, ready to eat in a week, and also a hard, mature version, left to age for four months minimum, which lends a fuller flavour, finished with a serious bite of goaty acidity. Nowadays the range has grown, and includes the fabulous soft roulade rolled with oregano, or at Christmas, jewel like cranberries.

Find out more about Ardsallagh Goat Farm >>

Ballycross Apple Farm

Bridgetown, Co Wexford.

Ballycross Apple Farm is a family business; the von Engelbrechten’s have a long tradition of growing the finest quality apples. True artisan juices, there is no added sugar, water or preservatives, just great juices. Their juices can be purchased in Farmshops all over Ireland and are available in many of our restaurants and cafés, and are also available to taste and buy in the Farm Shop and Café here, in season.

Find out more about Ballycross Apple Farm >>

Ballymaloe Country Relish

Courtstown Park, Little Island, Co Cork.

Formed by the iconic Ballymaloe brand, Ballymaloe Country Relish has become a staple in food cupboards across the country and indeed the world. Choose from succulent relishes, delicious Cranberry Sauce and Mint Jelly, delectable Dressings and perfect Pasta Sauces from this wonderful range to spice up any meal. And let’s face it, who couldn’t do without a little sprinkle of Ballymaloe magic in their cooking.

Find out more about Ballymaloe Country Relish >>

Beal Organic Cheese

Beale Lodge Organic Farm, Asdee, Listowel, Co Kerry.

Kate Carmody is a sixth generation chemist and her specialist area is Bio-Chemistry, but Cheesemaking is her true love and Beal Organic Cheese came about as a result of marrying an Irish dairy farmer and settling in the north Kerry farmhouse. She began making cheese in 1987 and in 1997 the farm underwent organic conversion, with full status achieved in 2000. Beale Lodge Organic Farm is also GM free and Kate has been instrumental in the anti GM movement in Ireland and is a full time pro-active campaigner for the organic movement. Raw milk Beal Organic Cheese is a wonderful, creamy, cheddar style crumbly textured cheese, which packs a piquant, fiery explosion of taste that sets it totally apart Kate Carmody is a living legend and all her cheeses are equally celebrated.

Find out more about Beal Organic Cheese >>

Breadcrumb (The)

O´Shea´s House, New Road, Kenmare, Co. Kerry

This delightful shop and artisan bakery is easily found by the seductive smell of all kinds of everything wonderful coming from it’s ovens from the early hours of the morning. Seek it out down the tiny side street off the road into Kenmare town, pop inside, purchase a cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea and whatever tantalises your taste buds from Manuela Goeb's wonderful selection of pastries, cakes and tarts.

Find out more about Breadcrumb (The) >>

Burren Smokehouse and Visitor Centre (The)

Kincora Road, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare.

Just off the main square in historic Lisdoonvarna, this highly acclaimed, award winning traditional smokehouse owned by Peter and Birgitta Curtin produces superb smoked salmon and locally caught mackerel, and also smokes cheeses from some of Clare’s renowned cheese makers. The Burren smokehouse is also home to a delightful Gourmet Food Shop stoked with superb Irish artisan produce, a charming Craft Shop and a very informative Visitor Centre, where you can see a traditional smoker and view their audio-visual presentation.

Find out more about Burren Smokehouse and Visitor Centre (The) >>

Carbury Free Range Chicken

Rathmore, Carbury, Co Kildare.

Eddie McKeon and his daughter Sandra have recently established a free-range chicken farm reared by traditional methods on their land in Rathmore, Carbury, Co Kildare. The birds are a strain known as ‘Hubbard’ – well known for growing plump and tasty with the right methods of production. The birds are well looked after by Eddie and Sandra, and are already gaining high praise from local customers and top chefs. The philosophy here is to do things as nature intended and keep the rearing methods as traditional as possible. It’s obviously paid off, and the birds are not just in demand from local customers and restaurants, but have been taken onto the menu of another Good Food Ireland member too the prestigious K Club.

Find out more about Carbury Free Range Chicken >>