{"id":518935,"date":"2026-06-26T05:11:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T05:11:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/518935\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T05:11:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T05:11:13","slug":"irelands-best-ice-creams-from-makers-that-use-irish-milk-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/518935\/","title":{"rendered":"Ireland\u2019s best ice-creams from makers that use Irish milk \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

The origin of ice cream<\/a> is oblique. Some say the frozen dessert was conceived in Persia in 550 BC, while there are records of ancient Romans eating honey-flavoured snow, and another commonly touted theory is that Marco Polo brought the treat to Europe after his 13th-century travels. <\/p>\n

One thing is certain \u2013 whoever came up with the notion of a frozen dessert was on to something, with almost all parts of the world enjoying a version of it today.<\/p>\n

And what is the best way to improve this universally loved confection? By using Irish<\/a> dairy and high-quality ingredients. <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a selection of domestic ice cream makers who are using Irish milk<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Murphy\u2019s Ice Cream \"Murphy'sMurphy’s Ice Cream <\/p>\n

Murphy\u2019s Ice Cream in Dingle, Co Kerry was established by brothers Se\u00e1n and Kieran Murphy<\/a> in 2000, and has since become one of Ireland\u2019s best known ice cream brands. <\/p>\n

Using free range eggs and milk from the rare Kerry breed of cow, Murphy\u2019s is known for flavours such as Irish Brown Bread, Dingle Sea Salt and Chocolate Whiskey using Teeling Whiskey and Valrhona chocolate. <\/p>\n

Murphy\u2019s shops can be found in Dublin, Galway, Cork, Killarney and in its Dingle home, and its ice cream is sold by various stockists around the country. <\/p>\n

Emerald\"EmeraldEmerald <\/p>\n

Set up by friends and farmers Janet Miley and Eoin Kennedy, Emerald ice cream<\/a> was inspired by the strong international reputation of Irish dairy, and specifically Irish butter. <\/p>\n

\u201cFresh milk was a non-negotiable for us when setting up,\u201d says Emerald ice cream cofounder Miley, who cites the milk from its own grass-fed cows as Emerald\u2019s strength. <\/p>\n

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Emerald was first rolled out in US stores, before enjoying a homecoming. It\u2019s now available around the country, including in Tesco and Dunnes. <\/p>\n

The emblematic flavour from the range is Brown Butter, which Kennedy says is \u201ca twist\u201d on traditional Irish dairy. <\/p>\n

Morelli\"MorelliMorelli ice cream: Dario, Arnaldo and Marino Morelli <\/p>\n

A fifth-generation Irish ice cream producer, Co Derry-based Morelli was founded in 1911. It has always been \u201can Italian recipe with Irish dairy\u201d, says sales and marketing director Daniela Morelli-Kerr. \u201cWe pride ourselves on having the best of both worlds.\u201d <\/p>\n

The Italian-Irish brand offers flavours ranging from traditional chocolate to the neon Unicorn, with ribbons of bright pink and blue candyfloss.<\/p>\n

With so much choice, what\u2019s Morelli-Kerr\u2019s advice on the best flavour to try out for novices? <\/p>\n

\u201cOur Double Cream Vanilla. It\u2019s the champion of champions. We have won the most awards with it.\u201d <\/p>\n

Morelli is available in both the company\u2019s family-owned parlours in Co Derry and Co Antrim and in branded stores across the North. It\u2019s also stocked in supermarkets around the country. <\/p>\n

Ryan\u2019s Farm\"Ryan'sRyan’s Farm ice cream <\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose for me the dream started when I was around 16,\u2033 says Aidan Ryan of Ryan\u2019s, which operates from his family farm in Ballinascarthy, west Cork.<\/p>\n

After he left school as a teenager due to mental health issues, the farm became a refuge for Aidan, who went on to set up the ice cream business with his sister Megan.<\/p>\n

\u201cFunnily enough, the other day while dropping ice cream off at the local shop, I just thought to myself, \u2018At one stage I could hardly walk into this shop \u2013 now we\u2019re suppling it\u2019,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

His favourite Ryan\u2019s ice cream flavour is the salted caramel brownie, which uses local salt and brownies from fellow west Cork food start-up The Flour Patch. <\/p>\n

Ryan\u2019s Farm ice cream is available from the Village Store in Ballinascarthy and Clonakilty Park cinema. You can also order ice cream directly via Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Freezin\u2019 Friesian \"BrothersBrothers Ivan, Tom and David Kiersey of Freezin’ Friesian, Kilmacthomas. Photograph: Joleen Cronin <\/p>\n

Using milk from their herd of Friesian cows, the Kiersey brothers make Freezin\u2019 Friesian ice cream on their family\u2019s Ballyhussa Farm, located just off the Waterford Greenway and nestled in between the Comeragh mountains and Copper Coast. <\/p>\n

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The brothers try to make all ice cream ingredients \u2013 including extras such as the cookie dough and chocolate brownie \u2013 from scratch. Whataver they can\u2019t make themselves \u2013 blackberries, for example \u2013 they try to source both locally and seasonally. <\/p>\n

Freezin\u2019 Friesian is sold at Ardkeen Stores in Co Waterford, as well as directly<\/a> from the farm.<\/p>\n

Smooch \"SmoochSmooch ice cream supplied <\/p>\n

The amount of sunshine in a given Irish summer can be measured by how many 99s an individual has consumed, and one of the best-known and most widely available soft-serve ice creams is Dairy Glen\u2019s Smooch. The Irish-made ice cream is free of palm oil, a quality not boasted by every soft-serve option. It\u2019s available in more than 190 kiosks around the country.<\/p>\n

Mullin\u2019s \"Mullin's\"Mullin’s <\/p>\n

Established in Kilrea, Coleraine, Co Derry in 1954 and still going strong under Dale Farm ownership, Mullin\u2019s ice cream is instantly recognisable from its nostalgic pastel-striped tubs. <\/p>\n

Some of its most popular flavours include classics such as chocolate, strawberry and vanilla, all using Irish milk and cream. Mullin\u2019s ice cream is stocked nationwide.<\/p>\n