Top 8: The tastiest shop-bought apple tarts, including locally-made treats

"Unimpressed with some supermarket offerings I went off track and bought local - you can find similar delicious tarts nationwide in filling stations, butchers’ shops, and small bakeries."

Apple pie: a staple of comfort food

Apple pie is one of the top comfort foods. Any straw poll of men in Ireland will see hands raised in favour of a simple apple pie, no fancy nutmeg or cinnamon.

It’s not the apple season but last year’s apples have been stored and are in good condition. While some don’t have the same vibrancy as the crop fresh in autumn, we allowed for this when judging our Top 8 today.