Near Cork city, at Carrigtwohill, Jane and Gerard Murphy and their family have run Ardsallagh Goats Farm since 1996 - an operation that began with one goat to provide milk for one of their children who suffered from eczema, and is now the premium goat’s cheese producer in Ireland.
Using the milk from a mixed herd on their own farm and extra milk, bought in from neighbouring farms, they produce an excellent range of cheeses.
The cheeses are Ardsallagh Soft Goat’s Cheese (mild and creamy); Ardsallagh Hard Goat’s Cheese (semi-firm and mild when young, maturing to become hard enough to grate and have a distinctive nutty flavour when mature, at three months or more); Ardsallagh Smoked Cheese (the hard cheese smoked over beech to produce a unique smoky flavour); and Cranberry Roulade (the soft cheese flavoured with cranberries; a pretty variation especially popular at Christmas).
Made in a range of sizes, suitable for the individual, restaurant, or shop, Ardsallagh cheeses are available from supermarkets and independent stores nationwide and feature on menus at many of the best restaurants - Ballymaloe House at Shanagarry, for example, has long been a supporter.
