Three Carlow companies scoop prizes at prestigious national Good Food Ireland awards ceremony
Representatives from Ballykealy House, Ballon receive their awards at the Good Food Ireland awards ceremony the K Club, Straffan
THREE Carlow businesses were rightly victorious at the annual Good Food Ireland Awards ceremony at the K Club, Straffan, County Kildare.
The businesses that scooped the much-coveted awards were Murphy’s Butchers Tullow that were named as Meat Producer of the Year; Malone Fruit Farm Ballon which brought home the gong for Fruit and Vegetable Producer of the Year; and Ballykealey House in Ballon which scooped the Food Lovers' Choice Award for Ireland’s Ancient East.
The producer of the year category recognised producers for their premium produce, commitment to sourcing local ingredients, sustainable practices and collaboration with the local community.
It was a particularly special night for the Malone and Murphy families, as James Malone and Jim Murphy, who went on stage to accept their respective awards, both grew up together on Church Street in Tullow.
“We lived on Church Street for years and then moved out to Ballon when the fruit farm was getting bigger and needed a bit more land,” explained James Malone. “So, Jim and I grew up on the one street and both won an award on the same night, which was lovely.” Murphy’s Butchers and Malone Fruit Farm were selected as winners by an independent panel of Irish and international experts, following mystery inspections and assessments of produce while Ballykealey House was chosen as one of the Food Lovers Choice award winners by members of the public.
James Murray, executive head chef at Ballykealey House, said that the hotel, which primarily focuses on weddings, joined Good Food Ireland in 2020 to highlight to customers how they support local producers, which includes their fellow award winners.
“It’s fantastic that three companies from little Carlow have won these prestigious awards: a food producer, a butcher and a venue itself. It’s recognition of the hard work and dedication. We are so lucky in Carlow that we have the likes of Murphy’s Butchers and Malone Fruit Farm here."
