Standout year for Mayo producers as Blas na hÉireann finalists announced

The finalists for Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards 2025, have been announced, with 13 exceptional producers from Co Mayo made it through to the final stage of Ireland’s most prestigious food awards. 

The countdown is now officially on for the return to Dingle this autumn, where the very best of Irish food and drink will be celebrated from Thursday October 2 to Sunday October 5, with the Blas Village, Showcase, Eat Ireland in a Day market and the awards themselves all running on Friday October 3.

Now in year 18, Blas na hÉireann continues to grow, with more than 3,000 entries submitted from across the island, and a record number of new producers taking part. The 2025 awards also see the biggest ever expansion in categories, now totalling 190, including significant growth in fast-evolving areas such as alcoholic drinks and their non-alcoholic alternatives.

The judging, which took place over May, June and July in partnership with UCC and TU Dublin, is blind-tasted and scored by a network of expert judges, including chefs, buyers, academics, restaurateurs, and industry leaders. Only the top entries from each category make it to the finalist stage, which is a huge achievement in itself.

The finalists shortlisted from Co Mayo across a wide range of categories are Baker 51 Café, Carr & Sons Seafood, Drioglann Loch Measc Te, Foxford Café, Hanley Catering, Jack & Eddie's, The Storehouse Bakery, Kelly's of Newport (Artisan Butchers) Ltd, Mescan Brewery, O'Donoghues Bakery, O'Haras Bakery, Olive's Seoul Food and Velvet Cloud.

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John Magee, Head of Enterprise with Mayo County Council said "Local Enterprise Office Mayo is pleased to continue its support for the Blas na hÉireann awards in 2025. These awards play a vital role in recognising and celebrating the outstanding quality and innovation within Ireland’s food and drink sector. We are particularly proud of the Mayo-based producers who have been shortlisted as finalists this year, reflecting the strength and diversity of our local industry. Through a comprehensive range of support, we remain committed to helping food and drink businesses in Mayo to grow, scale, and access new markets. We strongly encourage all local producers to engage with initiatives such as Blas na hÉireann, which offer valuable opportunities for national recognition and commercial development.”

“It’s been an exciting year for the Blas na hÉireann awards,” says Blas na hÉireann Chairperson Artie Clifford. “That’s not just in terms of the ever-growing number of entries, but in the incredible standard of produce from both long-standing producers and impressive newcomers. We’ve also seen huge innovation across all categories, which reflects the evolving landscape of Irish food and drink. For us, these awards are about championing the producers, and giving them the spotlight they deserve in Dingle each October. We can’t wait to welcome them.”

This year’s Blas na hÉireann weekend will see the return of the hugely popular Eat Ireland in a Day market and the Blas Village, where 2025 finalists can showcase their products, connect with buyers, and meet with fellow producers, media and food lovers from across the country. With sustainability at the forefront once again, this year’s event will continue to build on its environmentally friendly policies and support a more conscious future for Irish food.

Making it as a finalist is no small achievement. The competition intensifies every year, and the producers shortlisted really do represent the crème de la crème of Irish food and drink. 

The Blas na hÉireann awards weekend in Dingle is a celebration of great food, and of the people, passion and place that make that Irish food so special.

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