Coolattin Cheddar picks up three culinary awards

TULLOW cheesemakers Coolattin Cheddar have been recognised nationally and internationally, having scooped three awards at the 2026 Irish Cheese Awards while also being awarded a three-star rating at the Great Taste Awards this year.

Dairy farmer Tom Burgess started making cheese in 2003 from his farm.

“I could see that I had the potential to make the best cheese in the world, that was my target,” Tom said.

Coolattin Cheddar produces two types of cheese from the raw milk that its grass-fed cows make – Coolattin Mature Cheddar and Mount Leinster Clothbound.

At the 2026 Irish Cheese Awards, hosted by Cáis, the association of Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers, Coolattin Mature Cheddar won best in class in the raw cheese category and best in class in the mature farmhouse cheddar category. They were also given a gold award for their Mount Leinster Clothbound in the same best in class category.

Earlier this year, Coolattin Mature Cheddar won a top three-star rating at the Guild of Fine Food’s Great Taste Awards 2026. A three-star rating is something only two per cent of entrants in the awards are granted. It means that the blind-tasting panel of expert judges unanimously agreed that the food or drink is a phenomenal culinary achievement.

When asked if Tom believes that there is any reason in particular as to why his cheeses are being so celebrated, he said: “We are always tweaking it and trying to improve, but we have been winning awards for the last ten years, so I can’t say that this year in particular has been better than any other year.” Tom’s daughter Lucy helps him make the cheese. They take the milk straight from the cows into the cheese vat.

Coolattin Cheddar cheeses are available at Carlow farmers market, SuperValu in Carlow town, Sheridan’s Cheesemongers and other small, independent food shops.