St Tola Original

Name: St Tola Original

Country Of Origin: Ireland

Region: Co. Clare

Milk Type: Goats Milk

Pasteurised/Unpasteurised: Unpasteurised milk

Style: Hard, Goats

Rennet Type: Traditional Animal Rennet

Taste: 

Rich, fresh, tangy flavour but when allowed to mature the flavour develops a rich medley of zesty farmyard tastes.

Description

St. Tola cheese has been made in the townland of Inagh, just south of the Burren in Co.Clare since the late 1970’s. It is made by Siobhán Ní Gháirbhith and her small dedicated team. As a child Siobhán would sometimes visit her neighbour’s goat farm, and 20 years later she is now in full control of the operation and produces St.Tola’s goat cheese herself. The original makers of St.Tola were Derrick and Meg Gordon. When they moved to Ireland Meg was always keen to learn how to make goats cheese but for family use only. The demand for cheese kept on increasing and in 1999 she gave Siobhán the reins. Siobhán who was a former school teacher always wanted to do something interesting with her family’s farm and when she was given control she relocated production to a purpose built cheese making facility on her parent’s family farm. Now Siobhán and her family have their own herd of goats with over 200 goats on their 65 acre farm. The mixed flock of Saanen, British Alpine and Toggenbury goats produce the rich characteristic St.Tola taste. The cheeses are named after St Tola of Clonard, who was a seventh/eight-century Irish saint.

Awards