Seven Louth winners at Blas na hÉireann 2023 Irish Food Awards

Seven food and drink producers from Louth, supported by LEO Louth, were among the winners at Blas na hÉireann 2023, celebrated in Dingle last week.

All roads led to Dingle for Blas na hÉireann 2023, the Irish food awards, with the three-day celebration of the best of Irish food and drink taking place from Thursday 28 to Saturday 30 September.

The winners from Louth are: Carlingford Oyster Company, Dan Kelly's Cider, DK Connemara Oysters, Hilton Foods (Best in County), Morgans Fine Fish, Natures Best and Tastees.

One of Ireland’s oldest seafood businesses, Morgan’s Fine Fish, was awarded the Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Seafood Innovation Award for 2023.

The Omeath company scooped the prestigious award for its popular salmon darne product, topped with garlic and herb butter and wrapped with Irish chorizo ribbon, which is sold under the Dunnes Stores premium ‘Simply Better’ range.

The Award recognises excellence in seafood innovation through the entire supply chain from product creation to the use of process technology to developing new markets.

Sales manager of Morgan’s Fine Fish, Gillian Morgan, said the company was honoured to win the prestigious award. “Blas na hÉireann is a true showcase for all Irish food producers and a celebration of the best of Irish food. To win here is fantastic.”   

Blas na hÉireann 2023 saw the return of the Blas Village and Eat Ireland in a Day tent where the 2023 finalists got the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet key industry buyers.

Speaking as the winners were announced, Blas na hÉireann Chairperson, Artie Clifford said: “We are thrilled to see such deserving winners and finalists again this year at Blas na hÉireann 2023.

"Looking back on 16 years of Blas, it’s fantastic to see the standard of food and drink in Ireland go from strength-to-strength year on year. It’s a real privilege for myself and the whole Blas family to bring these products, and the amazing producers who make them, to a much wider audience.”

“Congratulations to all the team at Hilton Foods on being named Best in County Louth at this year’s Blas na hÉireann Awards.” said Emma Gill, Boyne Valley Business Development Officer.

“Congratulations to the other prize winners and participants from across the Boyne Valley. A great result for Hilton Foods and we wish them every success for the coming year.”

Now in its 16th year, Blas na hÉireann saw the highest number of entries with almost 3,000 products and many new producers entering the awards for the first time.

Products from every county in Ireland were entered to win bronze, silver or gold awards in over 150 food and drink categories, as well as key awards like Supreme Champion and Best Artisan Producer.

As the competition ramps up year on year, securing that Blas badge is a huge achievement and means those producers who are short listed as finalists and the final winners really are the crème de la crème of Irish food and drink.