Taste Ards and North Down celebrates success at Blas na hÉireann 2026

8th October 2026

Food and drink businesses from across Ards and North Down are celebrating an outstanding showing at Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards 2026, held in in Dingle, Co. Kerry, which took place on 2 October, with 13 local products reaching the finalist stage and nine securing awards, alongside major regional recognition for The Mallow Makers, who were named Best in County Down and Ulster Champion.

Now in its 19th year, Blas na hÉireann is the biggest competition for quality Irish produce on the island of Ireland, attracting more than 3,000 entries in 2026.

Krumb enjoyed an exceptional first year, with all four of its finalist products winning Silver: Christmas Plum Pudding, Buttermilk Batch Loaf, Lemon Meringue Tart and Sourdough/Country Loaf.

Bangor’s The Mallow Makers were among the standout successes, with Vanilla Wonder Fluff Marshmallow Cream named a winner in the Chef’s Larder category. The business went on to secure Best in County Down and the prestigious Ulster Champion title.

Counter Culture Real Bread won Gold for its Pork, Cranberry and Cheddar Sausage Roll, while its Country Loaf was also a Top 5 finalist.

Further award success came from Longbridge Drinks Co, part of Papa’s Mineral Company, which won Silver for Belfast Coffee Cola; Cha Dodo, which secured Bronze for Black Ruby from Five Trees Estate, Myanmar; and The Walled Garden, Helen’s Bay, which won Bronze for its Irish Sea Salt Fudge.

Additional Top 5 finalist recognition went to Irish Sisters Lavender Cordial, Walled Garden’s Tomato Chilli Jam and Willowbrook Foods’ SuperValu Coleslaw with Cheese.

Taste Ards and North Down’s presence in Dingle extended beyond the awards, with Cha Dodo, Krumb, The Mallow Makers and Papa’s Mineral Company, including sister brands Irish Sisters and Longbridge Drinks, representing the Borough as part of Eat Ireland in a Day.

Taste Ards and North Down featured alongside Boyne Valley, Midlands Flavours and Wexford Food Family, providing a platform to showcase local products and the people behind them.

All four Taste AND businesses also participated in Meet the Maker sessions within the Blas Village, sharing their stories with visitors and providing further profile for the Borough’s food and drink sector. Blas uses Meet the Maker to introduce audiences to producers following its blind judging process.

Cha Dodo, Krumb and The Mallow Makers also took to the floor for ‘Tea and a Sweet Treat’ with The Gourmet Boys, while Wayne from Papa’s Mineral Company joined food writer Ali Dunworth for ‘Four Takes on the Pour’, providing a further opportunity for Ards and North Down to be represented within the wider Blas programme.

The combination of 13 finalist products, nine product awards, Best in County Down and the Ulster Champion title, together with an active presence throughout the Blas Village programme, provided a strong platform to showcase the quality, diversity and personalities behind food and drink from Ards and North Down.

Through Taste Ards and North Down, Ards and North Down Borough Council continues to celebrate local food and drink success while creating opportunities for businesses to raise their profile, make new connections and tell the wider story of Ards and North Down as a food and drink destination.

Find out more about #TasteAND and past successes here.