The finalists for Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards 2026, have been announced, with 4 exceptional producers from Co Tyrone making it through to the final stage of Ireland’s most prestigious food awards.

The countdown is now officially on for the return to Dingle this autumn, where the very best of Irish food and drink will be celebrated from Thursday, October 1 to Sunday, October 4, with the Blas Village, Showcase, Eat Ireland in a Day market and the awards themselves will be announced on Friday, October 2.

The finalists shortlisted from Co Tyrone across a wide range of categories are Cookstown, Dragon Brand / Honed Flavours, En Place Foods Ltd and Moocha kombucha.

Now in its 19th year, Blas na hÉireann continues to grow, with more than 3,000 entries submitted from across the island, and a record number of new producers taking part. The number of food and drink categories has also increased from 170 to over 200 this year.

Now in its 17th year, Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards, are the largest food awards on the island, open to all 32 counties. This year saw another strong year of entries with over 3,000 products and many new producers entering the awards for the first time. The final Blas na hÉireann 2024 awards were announced on Friday, October 4. Photo: Allen Kiely Photography

placeholder image — Now in its 17th year, Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards, are the largest food awards on the island, open to all 32 counties. This year saw another strong year of entries with over 3,000 products and many new producers entering the awards for the first time. The final Blas na hÉireann 2024 awards were announced on Friday, October 4. Photo: Allen Kiely Photography

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Bronze, silver and gold awards are presented across the food and drink categories, alongside major accolades including Supreme Champion, supported by Bord Bia and Best Artisan Producer, supported by the LEO Network.

The judging, which took place over June and July in partnership with UCC and TU Dublin, is blind-tasted and scored by a network of expert judges, including chefs, buyers, academics, restaurateurs, and industry leaders. Only the top entries from each category make it to the finalist stage, which is a huge achievement in itself.

The competition intensifies every year, and the producers shortlisted really do represent the crème de la crème of Irish food and drink.