One of the unsung heroes of the Irish food scene, oats are widely grown, inexpensive, nutritious and extremely versatile. There's much more to oats than breakfast but, whether in porridge or other oat-based dishes like granola, their slow-release energy means they're pretty much the perfect start to the day.
Growing conditions in Ireland suit oats well and this seventh generation family firm has been milling oats beside the River Mahon at Kilmacthomas for over 200 years, making it one of Ireland's longest-running family businesses. All of their standard oats are produced in Ireland, and they're actively encouraging more Irish organic oat production to meet demand.
Over a million servings of Flahavan's porridge are consumed nationwide each week, and recognition for their high standards has come from many quarters including the Irish Food Writers' Guild and the Great Taste Awards.
All of their products are very popular, with less usual ones such as Flahavan's Organic Porridge Oats and Flahavan's Organic Jumbo Oats attracting particular praise for their texture and taste, and - keeping up with a rapidly changing marketplace - innovative, but equally healthy, new products are frequently introduced.
Rightly keen to emphasise their versatility, Flahavans regularly commission recipes from celebrity chefs, such as Kevin Dundon from nearby Dunbrody Country House in Co Wexford, and - very useful for everyday ideas - there’s a handy booklet of the late Mary Flahavan’s own Simple Oat Recipes too.
