Dart Mountain Cheese, made at the village of Park near Claudy, 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, along with chutneys and granolas.
The original cheese is Sperrin Blue, a rich creamy blue named after the nearby Sperrin Mountains (that provide such a lovely view from the dairy) and winner of the National Irish Food Awards 2015, and newer ones include an ash coated semi hard cows milk cheese, Dart Mountain Dusk, which won a Bronze in the World Cheese Awards following its release in 2014 and Gold in the Great Taste Awards in 2016.
Next in line was an alpine style cheese, Kilcreen, followed by the beer washed Banagher Bold (Gold Star Great Taste Awards 2015 and 2016 respectively) The latest in this award-winning range is the currently maturing Tirkeeran.
Next in line was an alpine style cheese, Kilcreen, and two more - the 7 month matured Tirkeeran and the beer washed Banagher Bold - are coming soon.
Very varied in style but all equally delicious, this is an astonishing achievement in an area which produced very little cheese until a few years ago.
Showcased in local restaurants and available, together with the Tamnagh range of chutneys, relishes and granola, and their gift box, from speciality food shops and online (PayPal).
