New Ross has so much to offer that you simply just have to enjoy, from chocolate to Cheese. Don’t believe us? Well, here’s a few local industries for you to check out while you’re in town. The air miles WON’T have been clocked up to get these products on the shelves… Support these local producers, and watch your carbon footprints shrink! (They’re lovely people too.)
WEXFORD HOME PRESERVES
Tom and Laura when not rubbing shoulders with Celebrity Chef Neven Maguire have produced a range of jams and marmalades that has become the stuff of local legend. The guys have stuck to their guns when it comes to quality, the use of local suppliers and the making of everything by hand – and it has really made a difference. Wexford Home Preserves has won several awards including Wexford business of the year, Great Taste Awards and the Irish Quality Food Awards, even making their way into Dunnes Stores award winning Select products.
CARRIGBYRNE FARMHOUSE CHEESE
Did someone ask for local hand crafted artisan cheeses ? On the lush green pastures of the Carrigbyrne, Paddy and his wife Juile and son in law Dave are award winning specialist cheese makers producing award-winning brie. Over the years the recipe and techniques have remained the same, ensuring that their customers always receive the cheese they’ve come to love and enjoy. The Award winning offerings include signature Cheese St. Killians (full-flavoured camembert, made with vegetable rennet. Mild when young, the cheese develops and aromatic, clean flavour and softens as it matures. It has a smooth buttery taste and soft melting interior.) and recent addition Humming Bark (a semi-soft cheese with a strong nose and full-flavoured taste) these guys are the perfect addition to any cheese board.
THORPES ORGANIC FARM
The Thorpe family has been farming in Knockroe since the 1700s. Desmond and Olive, along with their family, started conversion to farming organically in 1985. It ‘s been fully certified organic with the Irish Organic Association for over thirty years. The farm produces a range of seasonal vegetables, including broccoli, cabbages, cauliflowers, along with oats and some beef and lamb.
DUNCANNON SMOKEHOUSE
Duncannon Smokehouse was originally set up by Frank Ronan back in 1974, using an AFOS kiln. Today, over forty years later, his son Kai Ronan continues this master smoker tradition to produce a 100% pure and natural, hand crafted, smoked seafood range with passion and care. The smoked trout and salmon are without doubt the best quality and consistency and are a must for any of my menus according to Aldridge Lodge Head Chef Billy Whitty.
ZAEIRE CHOCOLATES
Artisan chocolatier Leigh Kelly started making chocolates from her kitchen in 2013. The name Zaeire comes from the coming together of South Africa (ZA), my homeland and Ireland (EIRE), my husbands homeland. Zaeire Chocolate is now an award winning product with a Gold Star Award from The Guild Of Fine Food at The Great Taste Awards 2016, finalists in The Blas na hEireann Awards 2017 and the silver award winner in The Blas na hEireann Awards 2018.