Carlow food producers scoop awards in Blas na hÉireann

CARLOW’S food scene is in rude good health, according to the judges at the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards where six local producers took home prizes during the awards weekend in Dingle.

Now in its 19th year, the Blas na hÉireann awards are the largest and most influential food awards on the island of Ireland.

This year, eight producers from the Carlow area were shortlisted across a wide range of categories, with six taking home coveted awards including Murphy’s Craft Butchers in Tullow being awarded the coveted overall Best in County Carlow accolade.

Sunshine Juices in Tinryland won a number of awards across several categories, including gold in the fruit-based, non-alcoholic drinks category for its SuperValu Signature Tastes freshly squeezed orange juice.

In the vegetable-based, non-alcoholic drinks category, the company also won silver for its Inspired By Centra cold pressed turmeric shot and bronze for its SuperValu Veg Out boost drink.

Bolton Family Jam, based in Springhill, won bronze in the jam category for its blackcurrant jam, while Carlow Brewing won silver in the beer and lager category for its Strana Pilsner, which is sold in Aldi.

Seery’s Heatherfield Bakery was awarded bronze in the teabrack category for its Tesco tea brack range.

Murphy’s Craft Butchers, which has won awards in recent years for products including its fillet steaks and pork sausages, scooped the ‘best in county’ award in Dingle. The award was sponsored by Carlow Local Enterprise Office.

They also took home two gold medals at the awards. Its black charcoal ribeye steak won gold for an impressive third consecutive year, while its Mighty Oink pork burgers were also recognised with a gold medal.

Founded in 1934, Murphy’s Craft Butchers has grown into one of Tullow’s best-known family food businesses, with butchery skills and knowledge passed down through five generations of the Murphy family. Today, the business is led by Jim and Bernadeta Murphy. The family are also primary producers of their own sheep and cattle while the family abattoir helps maintain a direct connection between farming, production and the butcher’s counter.

“‘Best in county’ is a testament to the dedication, skill and commitment to quality that Murphy Craft Butchers have consistently demonstrated over decades and generations,” said Kieran Comerford, head of economic development and enterprise at Carlow LEO. “Their success reflects the strength of Carlow’s thriving food sector and showcases the county’s reputation for excellence in artisan food production.” 

Renowned chocolatier The Chocolate Garden of Ireland, based on the Carlow-Wicklow border in Rath, just outside Tullow, picked up two silver medals in the individual chocolate category for its hazelnut royale and raspberry bliss chocolates.

The latest accolades bring to 20 the number of Blas na hÉireann awards the business has won since first entering the competition in 2012.

Mary and Jim Healy began making stroopwafels in 2001 before moving into chocolate-making. The business has since grown to include two stores, one at its base near Tullow and another in Kilkenny which opened in 2024.

Mary said it was “wonderful” to have won the award.

“We select our ingredients for the best taste and flavour profile and we try to combine taste and texture to make each chocolate a real culinary experience.” More than 3,000 entries were submitted from across the island of Ireland. Blind tastings took place throughout June and July, with entries assessed by experts, including chefs, restaurateurs, buyers and other industry leaders.