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Finalists of Blas na hEireann 2021 are announced - Members' News - Week 35 - 2021

Aug 31, 2021, by Fionnuala Malone - Category: Members' News

Welcome to GS1 Ireland members' news for week 35 2021. This week, the finalists of Blas na hEireann 2021 are announced and Irish brands to feature on QVC. Read on for more.

Blas finalists announced

The finalists for this year’s Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards have been announced. There are plenty of GS1 Ireland members among them including Atlantis of Kilmore Quay, Fancy Fungi Gourmet Mushrooms, Irish Country Meats, Isle of Crackers, Naturally Cordial, Scúp Gelato, Sofrimar, Stafford’s Bakery, Tasty Parlour, Wexford Home Preserves, Wild About, Zaeire Artisan Chocolates, and Zanna Cookhouse. The awards are now in their 14th year and the team at Blas na hÉireann have worked harder than ever to make sure the awards went ahead, moving the blind-tasting judging system from the campus in UCC to Dingle to work within Government guidelines and the constraints of social distancing. With the blueprint for this new system developed last year, the team were able to seamlessly ensure the judging was handled with the same care and attention as always. Especially important in a year where they saw a record entry level from producers right across the island. Winners will be announced on the 2nd October on the Blas website and across their social media channels.

This information came from Blas nahEireann and the Wexford People. 

New Members this week at GS1 Ireland

The companies below joined GS1 Ireland since our last Members News. We would like to take this opportunity to welcome them to the GS1 Ireland community.

Amarie Healthline 

Essence of Eiru - "All of our candles and diffusers are lovingly hand-poured and made from 100% soy wax, infused with a unique blend of essential oil-based fragrances that are all naturally produced and environmentally friendly."

Lovato Candles - "Lovato Candles is a luxury, Irish home fragrance company founded in 2016 and owned by Sarah & Jason Hamilton-Foott."

Java the Hut Coffee - "Our coffee is craft-roasted in small batches ensuring freshness and allows us to maintain the highest quality standards."

Swimsnug - "The Swim Snug is the ultimate outdoor changing robe."

WeirdWatercolours - "We design, paint and print eco-friendly greeting cards, prints and more, from our home studio in Wexford."

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Collaboration with QVC to showcase Irish design to US audiences

Enterprise Ireland and Tourism Ireland are collaborating with QVC, an American flagship shopping channel specializing in televised home shopping, on three live ‘Made in Ireland’ shows that will reach millions of US customers across QVC’s TV broadcasts, streaming service, mobile apps, social pages, and website in the US. The shows will deliver an important platform and selling opportunity for Irish producers, while also showcasing the island of Ireland. This year, QVC’s ‘Made in Ireland’ broadcasts will take place at Ballyseede Castle in Tralee, Co. Kerry on the 7th and 8th of September and will feature Irish-made apparel, jewellery and homewares from some of Ireland's most notable brands, including GS1 Ireland members, West End Knitwear and Fadó Jewellery.

This information came from gov.ie.

Kerry father and son duo shortlisted for National Milk Award

A father and son from outside Tralee have been announced as finalists in this year's National Quality Milk Awards. Tom Paul Keane and his father John work in a partnership on their dairy farm in Kielduff. They milk 145 cows and supply Lee Strand Co-op, which nominated them for the award. The NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards showcase and celebrate the dedication of Irish family farms to producing the best quality milk and their commitment to the highest standards of hygiene, food safety, animal health, and environmental protection. The overall winner will be announced at the Teagasc Moorepark Dairy Open Day on September 15th.

This information came from Radio Kerry.

Founder of Unglu-d takes over as host of NeighbourFood Blackrock Co. Louth

Aileen Markey is taking over as host of NeighbourFood Blackrock, Co. Louth, as former host, Isobel Jones, who brought the market to the seaside village during the first lockdown of March 2020, is moving to Cork for a new job. The founder of the Unglu-d gluten-free range, Aileen was one of the local companies whose products were stocked at the weekly market. NeighbourFood is a national group of food markets linking local suppliers to local customers. The Blackrock market will relaunch in September, under Aileen's management. For more information, visit www.neighbourfood.ie or follow NeighbourFood Blackrock on Facebook. Any food producers who would like to become part of NeighbourFood Blackrock can contact Aileen via blackrockneighbourfood@gmail.com.

This information came from The Argus.

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Moocall makes first profit for investors

Moocall, the Irish company that developed a calving sensor alert system for cows, made a profit last year for the first time. The firm is backed by Michael Smurfit Snr and businessman Michael Stanley. Moocall has received millions in investment since its products were launched on the market back in 2014. Created by farmer Niall Austin, Moocall uses a sensor system that lets farmers know by text when a cow is about to calve. The most recent set of accounts for the business confirm that it posted a maiden profit of just over €19,000 last year. Moocall’s products, dubbed ‘wearables for cows’ are sold in dozens of countries around the world. Its directors said that projections show continued profits being generated in 2021.

This information came from the Independent.

Local food on the menu at Cliffs of Moher

Indoor dining has reopened at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience in Co. Clare for the first time since the start of the pandemic with the reopening of the newly renovated Cliffs View Café. Operated by Brambles, the 120-seat facility is located on the first floor of the Clare County Council-owned visitor centre. Current guidelines mean that indoor dining is currently restricted to 52. Visitors to Ireland’s most popular natural attraction are also now able to enjoy a menu filled with locally sourced produce from wild Irish salmon to farm cheese. Among the Clare food producers supplying the reopened café are The Burren Smokehouse, The Burren Butcher and St Tolas Cheese. The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience is a signature discovery point on Fáilte Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, see www.cliffsofmoher.ie for more details.

This information came from The Clare Echo.

That's it for this week, be sure to come back next week for more news from GS1 Ireland members around the country. If you are a GS1 Ireland member and you have some news you would like to share, please get in touch at marketing@gs1ie.org, we would love to hear from you.

Tags: Members' News