Get Your Irish On with the Amazing Irish Cheeses

Ireland’s mild climate and lush emerald pastures seemed to have everything to keep a cow content. But cheesemaking, once one of the many areas of Gaelic traditions, all but disappeared in Ireland. Fortunately, a steady revival began around 1970 and with honing their craft, Irish farmstead cheesemakers are producing some of the most interesting Irish cheeses I’ve seen or tasted.

They have a richness and quality like French cheeses but there are also many that resemble Dutch or Italian styles. Unlike most of Europe, where each cheesemaking region is entirely different in terms of terrain, Ireland is a dairy wonderland of steady climate, temperature, elevation and pastureland. The damp sea mists of the South West Ireland have also proven to be ideal for ripening washed-rind cheeses.

This St. Patrick’s Day why not share in the revival and celebrate with cheeses from the Emerald Isle. Here are some of my recommendations to try for an Irish cheeseboard:

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