2024 Award Winners ‘NATURAL FOOD’ AWARDS 2024 (PRODUCERS) - DAIRY

Dart Mountain Cheese, Claudy, Co Derry

Dart Mountain Cheese is the big dairy success story of the North-West region. Julie and Kevin Hickey’s business on the banks of the Faughan River produces an impressive range of hand-made traditional cheeses made with cow and goat milk from local farmers, along with chutneys and other accompaniments. The original cheese is Sperrin Blue, a rich creamy blue named after the Sperrin Mountains that provide such a lovely view from the dairy. Newer ones include an ash coated semi hard cows milk cheese, Dart Mountain Dusk; an alpine style cheese, Kilcreen; beer washed Banagher Bold and the long aged extra hard Tirkeeran - all successful in international competitions. Varied in style but all equally delicious, this is an astonishing achievement in an area which produced very little cheese until recently. Dart Mountain cheeses are showcased in local restaurants and available from speciality food shops and online, together with their gift box and the Tamnagh range of accompaniments. Also, in association with Northbound Brewery, Dart Mountain offers ‘Derry's Famous Beer and Cheese Tour’ which make s great day out.