A number of local Carlow food producers shortlisted for National Food Awards 2024

The Blas na hÉireann 2024 finalists are announced with another strong year for producers shortlisted from Co. Carlow, sponsored by Carlow County Council – Local Enterprise Office.

A number of Carlow food producers have been shortlisted for the final of the National Food Awards 2024.

The finalists for Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards, 2024 have been announced and the countdown is now on for another exciting and joyous awards weekend in the pretty seaside town of Dingle. The three-day event will take place from Thursday 3rd October to Saturday 5th October.

The excitement is already building and the Blas team are hard at work preparing for the arrival of food and drink producers from across Ireland to celebrate the very best of Irish.

Now in its 17th year, Blas na hÉireann saw another record-breaking year across all categories along with many new producers entering the awards for the first time this year. During the judging, which took place in June and July, over 3,000 entries were judged, testament to the number of brilliant producers across the country.

"We are thrilled to see that Carlow has 7 finalist producers in the Blas na hÉireann awards this year, highlighting the incredible variety of locally produced food and drink available in our county." said Kieran Comerford from Carlow LEO. "Carlow County Council - Local Enterprise Office is dedicated to fostering growth in the food sector, supporting our producers as they start, expand, and reach new markets. The Blas na hÉireann awards are a prestigious celebration of excellence for these food businesses, and we are proud to be involved by sponsoring the overall Best in Carlow award."

The finalists shortlisted from Co. Carlow across a range of different categories are Bolton Family Jam, Lynch's For Goodness Cakes, Murphys's Craft Butcher's, New Moon Restaurant Tullow, Royal Oak Distillery, Seerys and Sunshine Juice Ltd.

Speaking as the finalists were announced, Blas na hÉireann Chairperson, Artie Clifford said, “I started the awards after 30 years in the food industry, and I knew there was a need to celebrate the amazing food and drink being produced on the island of Ireland. 17 years later, it continues to delight me the number of new producers entering each year along with so many familiar faces returning year on year. We are an island of phenomenal producers and should be very proud of that, being able to showcase the very best of the best in Dingle each year is a real privilege for the whole Blas team.”

This year’s Blas na hÉireann awards in Dingle will see the return of Eat Ireland in a Day market and the Blas Village where the 2024 finalists will get the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet key industry buyers. This year's focus will be on sustainability with a commitment to encourage zero-waste throughout the three days of the awards in line with the Dingle Food Festival ethos. One new element at Blas will be the removal of any single use cups and the introduction of the first electric van delivering food and drink to the awards from across the country. These new initiatives are supported by Bank of Ireland in partnership with Blas.

With over 3,000 products entered in this year’s Blas na hÉireann, making it as a finalist is a huge achievement and one to be very proud of. The competition ramps up year on year, meaning those producers who are shortlisted as finalists really are the crème de la crème of Irish food and drink. For finalist producers it is not just their exceptional food and drink which will be celebrated in Dingle but the people themselves, the passionate producers who make the very best of Irish will be recognised and rewarded making Blas na hÉireann 2024 a food event not to be missed!