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 the 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.
