Louth Finalists Announced for Blas na hÉireann 2024: A Strong Year for Local Producers
The anticipation is building as the finalists for Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards 2024, have been announced, and once again, County Louth has shown its culinary prowess. Sponsored by Louth LEO, nine exceptional producers from the county have been shortlisted across a variety of categories, highlighting the strength and diversity of Louth’s food and drink sector.
The prestigious awards, now in their 17th year, will culminate in a three-day celebration from Thursday, October 3rd to Saturday, October 5th, in the picturesque seaside town of Dingle. The event promises to be a joyous weekend, bringing together the best food and drink producers from across Ireland to honor their contributions to the industry.
The anticipation is building as the finalists for Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards 2024, have been announced, and once again, County Louth has shown its culinary prowess. Sponsored by Louth LEO, nine exceptional producers from the county have been shortlisted across a variety of categories, highlighting the strength and diversity of Louth’s food and drink sector.
The prestigious awards, now in their 17th year, will culminate in a three-day celebration from Thursday, October 3rd to Saturday, October 5th, in the picturesque seaside town of Dingle. The event promises to be a joyous weekend, bringing together the best food and drink producers from across Ireland to honor their contributions to the industry.
This year’s Louth finalists are Ballymakenny Farm, Carlingford Oyster Company Ltd, Coole Farm, Dundalk Bay Brewery, Hilton Foods, Mac Namees Tea, McCloskeys Bakery, Nature’s Best, and Tastees. Each of these producers has demonstrated exceptional quality and innovation, making it to the final stages of Ireland’s most competitive food awards.
Emma Gill, Boyne Valley Food Business Development Officer, expressed her pride in Louth’s representation at Blas na hÉireann: “I am delighted that Louth has nine finalists in this year’s awards. For a small county, we consistently punch above our weight, and this achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our food & craft drink producers. I wish them every success at the awards ceremony in Dingle this October.”
Blas na hÉireann Chairperson, Artie Clifford, reflected on the significance of the awards, saying, “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. Seventeen 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.”
The 2024 awards promise to be particularly special, with the return of the popular Eat Ireland in a Day market and the Blas Village, where finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their products, interact with customers, and meet key industry buyers. Sustainability will be a key focus this year, with initiatives such as the removal of single-use cups and the introduction of Ireland’s first electric van to deliver food and drink to the awards, supported by Bank of Ireland.
With over 3,000 entries judged this year, reaching the finalist stage is a remarkable achievement that speaks to the quality and passion of Louth’s food and drink producers. As the awards weekend approaches, the spotlight will shine on these talented individuals and their exceptional products, making Blas na hÉireann 2024 an unmissable event for food lovers and industry professionals alike.