Top 5 Irish Blue Cheeses

Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese is a family-owned business located in Arklow, County Wicklow, Ireland. The company specializes in producing a variety of artisan cheeses, crafted using milk from their own herd of cows. Among their offerings, the Wicklow Blue, a soft, creamy blue cheese, is notably popular. The farm prides itself on using traditional cheese-making techniques.Expand

Cashel Blue is a farmhouse blue cheese from County Tipperary in Ireland, created in 1984 and recognized as the first blue cheese to be produced on the island. It was developed by Jane and Louis Grubb on their family farm near the town of Fethard, with the idea of using local cow’s milk to create a distinctive Irish interpretation of blue cheese that could stand alongside the well-established varieties of continental Europe. The timing coincided with a period when Irish cheesemaking was undergoing a revival, and Cashel Blue became one of the most significant names associated with that movement. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow’s milk, usually sourced from Friesian herds grazing on the lush pastures of Tipperary. Production involves adding starter cultures and Penicillium roqueforti to the milk, which gives the cheese its blue veining during maturation. After the curds are cut, drained, and shaped, the wheels are pierced to allow oxygen into the interior, encouraging the growth of the blue mold. Maturation typically lasts from six to ten weeks, during which the cheese develops a creamy texture balanced by a tangy flavor, with younger wheels being milder and firmer, while longer-aged ones grow softer and more pronounced in character. On the table, Cashel Blue is served in a variety of ways. It can be sliced onto a cheeseboard, melted into sauces, or crumbled over salads, and it is often paired with pears, apples, or walnuts, where its creaminess complements the sweetness or crunch of the accompaniments. It also pairs well with Irish brown bread, where the rustic qualities of the bread highlight the depth of the cheese. As for drinks, Cashel Blue works with both sweet and robust pairings, such as dessert wines that offset its saltiness, or stouts and porters that balance its tang.Expand

Bellingham Blue is an Irish cheese hailing from County Louth, where it's produced by Peter Thomas and his wife Anita. The cheese is made from raw cow's milk. Underneath its mottled brown rind, the texture is semi-hard with mold-lined holes dispersed throughout the paste. The aromas are intense, while the flavors are strong, robust, and rustic. It's recommended to use it in cooking and serve it with pears, nuts, and honey. Bellingham Blue has won many awards, including a Gold medal at the British Cheese Awards in 2001.Expand

Wicklow Blue is a traditional blue cheese produced by John and Bernie Hempenstall of Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese. This Brie-style cheese is made from cow's milk. It has a bloomy rind that hides a buttery and creamy texture. The aromas are mild and mushroomy, while the flavors are mild, creamy, and buttery. The paste is lined with blue mold. It's recommended to serve it on a cheeseboard or use it in salads.Expand

Mine-Gabhar is an Irish blue cheese hailing from Wexford, where it's produced by Luc and Anne Van Kampen. The cheese is made from raw goat's milk. Underneath its natural mould-ripened rind, the texture is soft and creamy. The aromas are pungent and earthy, while the flavors are sweet and acidic. In 1996, Mine-Gabhar was declared Best Irish Cheese and Best Soft White Rind Cheese at the British Cheese Awards.Expand

Crozier is an Irish blue cheese originating from Fethard. The semi-soft cheese is made from pasteurized sheep's milk and it's basically the sheep's milk version of Cashel Blue. It was invented in 1993 and it's left to mature for 3 months before it's sold. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is creamy, chalky, crumbly, and buttery with greyish-green mold. The aromas are intense and rich, while the flavors are mild, creamy, acidic, and slightly sweet when mature. Crozier Blue is traditionally packaged in silver foil.Expand