Three Westmeath winners at Blas na hÉireann 2025

Three producers from Westmeath are among the winners at Blas na hÉireann 2025 – Fore Distillery Limited, Our Creamery and The Irish Craft Soda Company.

The winners were announced at the finals of The Irish Food Awards in Dingle on Friday 3.

This year, five producers from Westmeath were shortlisted across in a range of categories, and three of those took home Blas awards.

The bronze, silver and gold winners from the county are: Fore Distillery Limited, Our Creamery and The Irish Craft Soda Company which was awarded Best in County, sponsored by Westmeath Local Enterprise Office.

Tracey Tallon, acting head of enterprise, said: LEO Westmeath are delighted to once again sponsor Blas na hÉireann awards where five Westmeath food producers showcased their produce and competed at the highest level on the National Artisan arena.”

This year there were more than 3,000 entries in more than 180 categories in Blas na hÉireann.

This year’s finalists and winners showed their products at the Blas Village and the popular Eat Ireland in a Day market, both of which returned to Dingle alongside the annual Backyard at Blas panel discussions supported by Bank of Ireland.

The weekend offers producers a chance to connect with buyers, industry experts, media, fellow producers, and food lovers, while also celebrating the people, and the talents, that make Irish food so special.

Artie Clifford, chairperson of Blas na hÉireann, said: “Every year the standard rises, and 2025 has been no exception. To see such talented producers from Westmeath on the shortlist, and now to celebrate the winners from that county, is a real testament to the skill, creativity and resilience of Ireland’s food producers.

“Making it to the finalist stage alone is a huge achievement, and to win at Blas is something to be proud of. Irish food and drink continues to go from strength to strength, and it is a joy to celebrate that strength and that community here in Dingle.”

The Blas na hÉireann awards weekend began on Thursday and continues to tomorrow Sunday 5 October in Dingle. Sustainability remaines a key focus, and the event builds on its waste-free commitments and support a more conscious future for Irish food.