- Blas na hÉireann has announced over 3,000 finalists across 200 categories for 2026
- Dublin leads with 57 finalists, followed by Donegal with 16 and Cavan with 13
- The awards festival takes place in Dingle, County Kerry, from 1-4 October 2026
- Over €50,000 in prize and support funding is available to winning entrants
- A searchable finalist directory is available on the official Blas na hÉireann website
The finalists for the 2026 Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards have been officially announced across more than 200 product categories, following a record-breaking 3,000 entries from food and drink producers across every county in Ireland. The winners will be revealed during the annual awards festival in Dingle, County Kerry, running from Thursday 1 October to Sunday 4 October 2026. The event has established itself as the premier recognition platform for Irish artisan food producers, with over €50,000 in prize and support funding available to winning entrants.
Regional finalist numbers have been published by Local Enterprise Offices, with Dublin securing 57 finalists, Donegal with 16, Cavan with 13, Waterford with 11, Meath with 10, Louth with 9, Laois with 8, Carlow with 7, Westmeath with 5, Roscommon with 5, and Longford with 2 finalists. County highlights include Waterford producers such as 7th Raven Cocktails, Beara Bitters, Blackwater Distillery, Coffee House Lane, Dawn Meats, Dungarvan Honey, Irish Gourmet Butter, Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese, Legacy Irish Cider, and The Lemon Drop Seafood. Louth finalists include Bryan Lynch Salads, Carlingford Oyster Company, Coole Farm, Fierce Mild Brewing Limited, and Hilton Foods.
The awards encompass a broad spectrum of categories covering bakery, beverages, cheese, condiments, confectionery, dairy, fish and seafood, meat, and plant-based products. The judging process takes place over several months, with independent expert panels assessing each entry on taste, quality, and innovation. The Dingle festival includes the awards ceremony, producer showcases, and networking events for the Irish food industry. A searchable finalist directory is available through the official Blas na hÉireann website.
Artie Clifford, Chairperson of Blas na hÉireann, shared: “We are absolutely delighted with the incredible response from producers across every county in Ireland, with over 3,000 entries this year, surpassing our highest expectations for the 2026 Irish Food Awards.”
