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The Storied Tradition of Irish Farmhouse CheesemakersProducers

The Storied Tradition of Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers

June 22, 20265 min readFromag Team

Ireland is home to some of the most vibrant and respected farmhouse cheesemakers in the world. Cork County, in particular, is one of the most important cheese-producing regions in Ireland, with a storied history dating back hundreds of years. When you taste farmhouse cheese from these regions, you are tasting the true terroir of the foggy coast, lush green pastures, and clean Atlantic air that the dairy animals love.

The revival of Irish farmhouse cheese over the last few decades has transformed the country's culinary landscape. Today, passionate artisans combine traditional methods with modern craftsmanship to create unique, world-class cheeses. Here, we profile some of the finest cheesemakers keeping this rich tradition alive.

Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese

County Wicklow

Nestled in the picturesque valley of Arklow, County Wicklow, Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese is a small, family-run business established in 2005 by the Hempenstall family. They milk their own herd of Friesian cows, ensuring complete control over quality from pasture to plate.

Their signature cheeses include:

  • Wicklow Bán: A beautifully soft, creamy, double-cream brie-style cheese. It is mild, buttery, and melts wonderfully on the palate.
  • Wicklow Blue: A soft, creamy blue cheese that offers a delicate, mild blue flavor without being overpowering.

Learn more at the Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese shop.

Boyne Valley Cheese

County Meath

Located at Mullagha Farm in the historical Boyne Valley of County Meath, Michael and Jenny Finegan started Boyne Valley Cheese in 2010. Their cheese is crafted using milk from their own high-quality herd of dairy goats.

Their main selections are:

  • Boyne Valley Blue: A unique, semi-hard blue goat's cheese that is creamy, crumbly, and features a subtle, peppery bite.
  • Boyne Valley Bán: A hard, clean-tasting goat's cheese with a smooth texture and a sweet, nutty finish.

Read their full story on Mullagha Farm's website.

Hegarty's Cheese

County Cork

In Whitechurch, County Cork, brothers Dan and John Hegarty run Hegarty's Cheese. Known for their dedication to traditional methods, they craft exceptional cheeses using milk from their own dairy cows.

Key offerings:

  • Hegarty's Cheddar: A traditional clothbound cheddar aged for at least 9 months. It has a rich, crumbly texture, sharp taste, and grassy notes.
  • Templegall: A premium, Alpine-style hard cheese inspired by Comté. It is sweet, nutty, and has complex savory layers.

Explore their cheeses at Hegarty's Cheese.

Cooleeney Farm

County Tipperary

In the heart of Tipperary's golden vale, the Maher family has been farming the land at Cooleeney Farm for four generations. The peatland surrounding the farm gives the pastures a unique plant profile, which shines through in the flavor of the milk.

Their soft, mold-ripened cheeses include:

  • Cooleeney Cheese: A raw-milk, Camembert-style cheese. When young, it has a fresh, milky flavor with a touch of mushroom; as it matures, it develops a rich, complex, and runny texture.

St. Tola Goat Cheese

County Clare

Located in Inagh, County Clare, near the wild Atlantic coast, St. Tola has been making award-winning goat's cheeses since the late 1970s. Run by Siobhan Ni Ghairbhith, the farm focuses on organic and sustainable practices.

St. Tola's range ranges from fresh, spreadable crottins to mature, ash-coated logs:

  • St. Tola Original: A fresh, soft log with a clean, citrusy flavor that gets fuller and more robust as it ages.

Check out their recipes on St. Tola's recipe page.

Cratloe Hills

County Clare

Sean and Deirdre Fitzgerald produce Cratloe Hills sheep's milk cheese on their farm in County Clare. First made in 1988, it remains one of Ireland's most famous and beloved sheep's milk farmhouse cheeses.

  • Cratloe Hills Gold: A semi-hard sheep's cheese with a mild, creamy flavor, a smooth texture, and a sweet, nutty undertone.

Carlow Farmhouse Cheese

County Carlow

Elizabeth Bradley makes Carlow Farmhouse Gouda in County Carlow using raw milk from local cows and sheep.

  • Carlow Farmhouse Gouda: A traditional Gouda-style cheese. It is creamy and mild when young, and develops deep butterscotch notes and crystal crunches when aged.

Whether you enjoy them on a rustic cheese board or paired with a glass of crisp wine, these farmhouse cheeses are a testament to the dedication, heritage, and skill of Irish cheesemakers. Next time you visit a local cheesemonger, look for the farmhouse seal and taste the landscape of Ireland.