Cooleeney Farmhouse Cheese

Name: Cooleeney Farmhouse Cheese

Country Of Origin: Ireland

Region: Co. Tipperary

Milk Type: Cow’s Milk

Pasteurised/Unpasteurised: Pasteurised milk

Style: Soft

Rennet Type: Vegetarian

Taste: 

Cooleeney Cheese has a mushroomy earthy taste with hints of grass, flowers and wet pastures.

Description

Breda and Jim Maher, began making cheese on their farm near Thurles, Co.Tippereary in 1986, and have continued since with the help of their son Pat. The rich peaty land in Tipperary is ideal for producing artisanal cheeses and is amongst the best in the world.  The Mahers have a purpose built dairy next to their family home that has been passed on for generations since 1760. Cooleeney has a very rich history of dairying, winning its first award for top quality milk in 1905. Like so many other cheesemakers, the introduction of European milk quotas in 1984 left the Maher family looking to add value to their milk and maximise the income from it. Breda, already having a degree in hotel management, decided to do a course in cheesemaking in UCC and from there Cooleeney grew. Since September 1986, the Mahers have extended their range and now offer 8 handmade artisanal cheeses: Cooleeney, Chulchoill, Daru, Dunbarra range, Gleann Oir, Gortnamona, Maighean and Tipperary Brie.

Pairing Recommendations

Cooleeney is an excellent cheese for cooking, try it deep fried with a fig and port sauce. It pairs well with sparkling wines.

Awards