New book to illustrate growth of cheesemaking in Ireland

FARMHOUSE cheese producers will be given a lift tomorrow with the launch of a book illustrating the sector’s growth in recent years.

Farmhouse Cheeses of Ireland, by Glynn Anderson and John McLaughlin, is an in-depth guide to the farmhouse cheeses of Ireland. Its authors say it is the first book to feature every locally produced farmhouse cheese in Ireland.

Published by Collins Press, it will be launched by Senator Fergal Quinn at 1pm tomorrow in the Food Innovation Centre at Innovate Solutions, Dublin. The book contains detailed descriptions of each cheese and its makers, along with extra information on cheesemaking and the Irish cheese industry.

Mr Anderson said: “Ireland is home to a range of cheeses whose excellence is recognised internationally and yet many Irish people may not be aware of all of them. The cheeses featured in the book are from the four corners of Ireland, including cheese coated in ash, blue cheese, seaweed cheese, sheep’s cheese, goat cheese and even biodynamic cheese.

“We were also lucky enough to get some well-known Irish chefs such as Catherine Fulvio and Darina Allen to give us their favourite recipes they make with Irish farmhouse cheeses.”

Others highlighted include Ed Harper, who is blind and who has worked with goats since the age of seven, living on Cape Clear Island off the Cork coast for 35 years.