Pictured at the launch of new quality local craftisan food brand A Taste of Ballyhoura Country were participating producers: (l to r) Clotilde Flanders (Clotilde’s Compôtes), Michael Horgan (Horgan’s Delicatessen Supplies), James O’Doherty (Old Irish Creamery Cheese), Claire Horgan, Enterprise Officer (Food) at Ballyoura Developement, Mervin Hodgins (Hodgins Foods), Maurice Gilbert (Ballyhoura Apple Farm) and Scott Baigent (Eight Degrees Brewing). Nicole Dunphy (Pandora Bell) also a participant.

Companies participating in the project include the well-established Ballyhoura Apple Farm, Clotilde’s Fruit Compôtes, Eight Degrees Brewing, Hodgins Foods, Horgan’s Delicatessen Supplies, Old Irish Creamery Cheeses and Pandora Bell Confectionery.

Speaking at the launch, Claire Horgan (Enterprise Officer – Food Sector) of Ballyhoura Development said:  ‘This new brand signifies all that is good about local Irish produce.  With a firm emphasis on quality, these food products are already individually recognised for their uniqueness, traceability and use of the finest raw materials.  We’re using the word ‘craftisan’ to describe the produce as it has connotations of skill, imagination and a hands-on artisan approach.  We are calling on every man, woman and child in this country to support these local businesses, as they are the lifeblood of several rural communities and can hold their own on the national and international stages in terms of quality’.  Ms. Horgan further stated that, while the initial pilot project involves seven producers, the scope to include additional artisan or craftisan food producers remains open to qualifying companies.  ‘We’ve deliberately chosen ‘craftisan’ to describe our offering, as we have such an eclectic mix of produce within the brand, for instance, confectionery, drinks, meats and cheeses’.  

Ms. Horgan went on to say that a fully integrated marketing campaign is underway to build awareness of the brand and encourage new enterprises to join the group.  ‘The imagery was created to adequately reflect quality and excellence, with the richness of the Ballyhoura landscape as the catalyst.  Codes of practice have been drawn up in conjunction with Teagasc and significant investment is being channelled into suitable training programmes to enable producers to be the best they can be.  It is also intended to position the brand as a powerful trading group within the food sector and assist our companies in expanding their route to market where possible.  Many of our producers are trading successfully in established markets already and we expect to build on this and add scale and volume for all the participating companies and build a sustainable future for this sector in the Ballyhoura region. ’

A Taste of Ballyhoura Country is an initiative supported by Ballyhoura Development Ltd., which is funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2000 - 2006 and part financed by European Union Structural Funds and Leader Rural Development Fund.

The Ballyhoura Development region encompasses the geographic area of South and East County Limerick and North East County Cork, and this pilot project aims to create a sustainable food brand to showcase the region’s craftisan foods and will welcome new members into the future. www.atasteofballyhouracountry.com 

Participants in ‘A Taste of Ballyhoura Country’ are:

Ballyhoura Apple Farm 

Ballyhoura Apple Farm is a joint venture owned by Maurice Gilbert and Gerry Murphy. The 15 acre apple farm is located at Clashganniv, 500 metres outside the village of Churchtown, Co. Cork. The crop from the trees is pressed into apple juice and is marketed as Ballyhoura Pure Irish Apple Juice. There are plans underway to develop the Apple Farm into a major visitor centre over the coming years. The Apple Juice is also proving extremely popular at local and national food festivals and Farmers Markets. A number of ancillary products to the Apple Juice are currently being developed (Cider Vinegar, HoneyGar). You will find Maurice at the following weekly markets: Mahon Point Farmers Market (Thurs mornings); Cresent SC Limerick (Weds Mornings); Listowel Farmers Market (Fri Mornings); Charleville Farmers Market (Sat Mornings); Ballyhoura Food Fair, Kilmallock (Bank Holiday Mondays). Darnstown, Killmallock, Co. Limerick. www.ballyhouraapplefarm.com 

Clotilde’s Compôtes

Clotilde’s Compôtes - handmade and seriously healthy artisan fruit compôtes. Mission statement:  To change people's lifestyle into a more healthy and fruity one and doing so the easy way.

French-born Clotilde Fitzgibbon’s hand-made range of compotes are natural, additive free, high in vit C, high in dietary fibre, and versatile snacks which also be used as a topping or dessert. Can be added to natural yogurt, muesli, cereals, bread/toast (to replace jam), ice cream, fruit tarts, pancakes etc.  Located at Ballindangan, Mitchelstown.  Find them on Facebook.

Eight Degrees Brewing  

The owners of Eight Degrees Brewing are a unique example of a Kiwi and an Aussie working together in semi-harmony…..well apart from the odd sporting differences.  Both Scott and Cam learnt how to make full flavoured beers as home breweries and then studied how to make these tasty beers consistently at the Versuchs und Lehranstalt fur Braurei (“VLB”) institute in Berlin. Eight Degrees Brewing Co Ltd is based at Unit 3, Coolnanave Industrial Park, Dublin Road,  Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. www.eightdegrees.ie

Hodgins Foods

Mervin & Monica Hodgins originally ran a butcher shop in Mitchelstown for many years.  Spotting a gap in the market for high-quality sausages, Mervin started producing and selling Hodgins Sausages and now employs 28 people at his factory, and his sausages are enjoyed throughout Ireland. As a family run business, Hodgins aim is to continue traditional pork sausage making in the region and maintain a quality product. Hodgins have been awarded a 3 Gold Star Great Taste Award from the Guild of Fine Foods for a black pudding that they have developed. Hodgins are bucking the trend of the recession and have recently undertaken a major rebrand on all of their products. Available through SuperValu & Tesco Nationwide. www.hodginsfoods.ie 

Horgan's Delicatessen Supplies

Horgan’s are well-established food distributors trading nationally and internationally and based in Mitchelstown. They have recently become involved in production of Horgan’s own label products such as hummus etc. They will produce hams and beefs sourced locally under the ‘A Taste of Ballyhoura Country’ brand.   Located at Knocknamuck, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. www.horgans.com

Old Irish Creamery Cheese

JOD Foods manufacture speciality cheese under the Old Irish Creamery brand at the former Effin Co-operative Creamery.  There are 13 varieties of speciality cheeses which are rapidly gaining a reputation as top quality products and have won several prestigious awards. The natural cheddar varieties are flavored with Wine, Irish Porter, Oak Smoked, Chilli, Irish Whiskey, Wild Blueberries, Garlic & Herbs, Chives, Walnut. You will find James at the following weekly markets: Cresent SC Limerick (Weds Mornings); Listowel Farmers Market (Fri Mornings); Charleville Farmers Market (Sat Mornings); Ballyhoura Food Fair, Kilmallock (Bank Holiday Mondays) Proprietor: JamesO’Doherty. www.oldirishcreamery.com

Pandora Bell

Nicole Dunphy runs Pandora Bell from Ballysimon, Co. Limerick. The company has recently been voted BRIDGESTONE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 2010. Pandora Bell confectionery products are made using traditional methods passed down through the centuries with recipes that never change or compromise. Handmade Lollipops are made with only natural colours and flavours,  Salted Butter Caramels use the famous sea salt of Guérande, Nougat is rich in honey, full of nuts and fine dark chocolate. www.pandorabell.ie