Some of Donegal’s top food producers are celebrating success in the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards, which were announced this weekend.
Businesses in the county scooped a range of Gold, Silver and Bronze prizes in the national event, which took place online on Saturday.
Among the top winners were Killybegs seafood company Atlantic Treasures and the Convoy-based Green Pastures dairy company, who each picked up four awards apiece.
Pictured is Michael O’Donnell, Head of Business Development and Marketing at Atlantic Treasures.
Green Pastures, Convoy
Atlantic Treasures scooped a Gold award for its Dunnes Stores Honey and Mustard Irish Smoked Mackerel, Silver for its Atlantic Treasures Smoked Mackerel Garlic, Herbs and Spices and Bronze for both its Aldi Specially Selected Smoked Irish Mackerel with Atlantic Seasalt and Pepper and Aldi Specially Selected Beachwood Smoked Irish Mackerel.
Green Pastures won Silver awards for its Dunnes Stores Rich & Luxurious Double Cream, Silver for its Dunnes Stores Sour Cream, Silver for its Dunnes Stores Goat’s Milk and Bronze for its Dunnes Stores Creme Fraiche.
Other Donegal winners in the awards include Filligans of Donegal who scooped a Bronze award for its Silkie Irish Whiskey Marmalade and Donegal Rapeseed Oil also won overall Best Oils for their Deluxe Irish Rapeseed Oil. The Foodie Market Sourdough Cob from Aran na Teo won Bronze under the Dietary Specific Goods: Bread category.
The Foodie Market Sourdough Cob from Aran na Teo
Willie Cremen, Director of Filligans of Donegal.
Now in its 13th year, the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards awards are the biggest competition for quality Irish produce in Ireland.
Meanwhile, Atlantic Treasures is also a finalist in the Irish Country Magazine Irish Made Awards. They are the only Donegal business to reach the final in the food category and are joined a number of other businesses in the county who reached the finals including Eilis Galbraith Designs (Home), Bernie Murphy (Fashion) Minikin Studio (Gift), Hanna Hats (Accessories) and Huku Balance (Home). The winners of each category will be announced in November.