Barry Walsh gives a taste of the amazing artisan chocolate and sweet producers across Ireland.
According to the Bord Bia Export Performance and Prospects Report 2023-2024, Irish chocolate and sweet confectionery exports within the prepared consumer foods category, grew 7% to €3.4 billion overall, with chocolate and sweet confectionery specifically rising 6% to €470 million in 2024.
This is despite historically high cocoa prices. The UK dominated as the key market, accounting for including significant chocolate shipments valued at US$331.39 million to the UK.
During Christmas 2025, the market sees a festive surge, with Irish shoppers forecast to spend over €8 million more on boxed chocolates in the four weeks of December compared to the prior month.
Some of the challenges in the industry include heavy reliance on imported inputs – cocoa, sugar, and milk – exposing the sector to global price volatility from climate events, crop diseases in origin countries, and supply disruptions, with cocoa costs remaining elevated.
Tariffs on imports and exports, particularly in the US, place further pressure on margins, compounded by inflation and health regulations pushing premiumisation, yet opportunities persist through innovation in sustainable and low-sugar lines
The luxury chocolate sector in Ireland is dominated by brands like Lindt, Lily O’Brien’s or Lir Chocolates. However, there are several Irish artisan brands that are gaining market share both in Ireland and internationally.
Irish artisan chocolate businesses
Áine’s Handmade Chocolate, located in Stradone Village, County Cavan, was founded in 1999 by Master Chocolatier Ann Rudden. The company is renowned for producing premium Irish chocolates that are handmade using only the purest, freshest, natural ingredients, with a focus on quality.
Their chocolates are gluten-free, and the company is committed to sustainability, sourcing cocoa that is Rainforest Alliance, Cocoa Trace, and Cocoa Horizon certified. Áine’s Handmade Chocolate offers a range of products, including chocolates, corporate hampers, and festive items like chocolate Santas and Snowmen.
The company distributes its products nationwide and in select international markets, including the UK, UAE and Malaysia. Áine’s chocolates are available in major stores such as Dunnes, SuperValu, Aldi, Lidl, and Harrods, as well as online through their website. During Christmas, the brand’s packaging is updated for the season, but the quality and traditional craftsmanship remain consistent. They have also won numerous awards, including ‘Great Taste’ and Blas na hÉireann awards
An Olivia Chocolate is a multi-award-winning Irish chocolatier founded by Olivia Curran in 2010. Olivia was inspired by her love for chocolate from childhood and the world of Willy Wonka, and she set up the company with a passion for making luxury handmade chocolates.
The brand uses the finest Belgian chocolate and incorporates Irish artisan ingredients such as Irish Cream Liqueur, Honey, Salt, Gin, Cider, Guinness, and Coffee to create a wide array of products, including individual chocolates, 3D Easter chicks, novelty bars, dinosaurs, and hot chocolate pots.
Having always had a flair for entrepreneurship, Olivia created the business in Mullingar Co. Westmeath. An Olivia Chocolate is celebrated for its infusion of Irish flavours, making the brand popular not only locally but also in trade across Ireland. Shortly after creating the business, the company won the Blas na hÉireann in 2013. Since then, they have gone on to win nineteen awards to date..
Bean & Goose is a premium Irish chocolate company founded in 2014 by sisters Karen and Natalie Keane in Ferns, County Wexford. Their journey began after attending a chocolate-making course with French chocolatier Benoit Lorge, sparking a passion for crafting small-batch chocolate that reflects place, season, and story. Inspired by the Wexford countryside, their bars are cast in moulds designed from the topography of Last Tree Farm, their home landscape.
They use ethically sourced single-origin Ecuadorian cacao, partnering with regenerative producer Original Beans, and blend it with seasonal Irish ingredients such as sea salt from Co. Louth and fruit from local orchards to create distinct and meaningful flavour profiles.
Starting from Karen’s kitchen, the sisters first tested their bars at Dublin food markets before gradually building a loyal customer base.
Today, they operate from a larger facility in Gorey, which has enabled them to scale production while deepening their craft. Alongside their retail bars, they have developed a growing Kitchen to Hospitality range now used by leading Irish bakeries, cafés, and hotels, including Bread 41, Cloud Picker, Bakari Bakery, Fota Island Resort, The Shelbourne, and Google’s Compass team. Their work with chefs goes beyond supply: they collaborate on recipe development, train teams in tasting and technique, and help hospitality partners share stronger sustainability stories with guests.
Bean & Goose continues to innovate through flavour and design, maintaining commitment to community and regenerative sourcing. Their chocolate is available widely in Ireland and through their online store, and is increasingly becoming the choice of kitchens seeking chocolate with integrity and provenance.
Created by the Linehan family, based in Tullamore, County Offaly, both founders are classically trained chefs who honed their skills working with Michelin-starred restaurants and renowned pastry chefs.
The brand is known for its handmade and hand-painted chocolates, crafted using ethically sourced chocolate from France, Switzerland, and Ghana combined with premium Irish ingredients like butter, cream, and locally foraged berries. Bon Chocolatiers quickly gained a strong reputation for its original flavours and luxurious presentation, with products available online and in select retail outlets, including Dunnes Stores.
The company has received awards, notably winning the Supreme Champion Award at the 2025 Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards, the highest accolade in Ireland’s premier food competition. Their success is highlighted by standout products like the viral Dubai Bar, a pistachio-flavoured chocolate that gained popularity on social media. Despite rapid growth, Daniel and Georgia emphasise their commitment to quality, community, and innovation, continuing to develop new recipes and collaborations with fellow artisan producers.
Brona Chocolates is a family-run artisan chocolate producer based in North Kerry, on the banks of the River Feale. Founded by Dan O’Connor, an ex-builder and publican who transitioned into chocolate making after running Mr Duffy’s Traditional Sweetshop in Tralee, the company prides itself on using only the highest quality ingredients and locally sourced produce where possible. Dan started producing chocolates in 2015 after extensive research and training, creating a wide range of over 24 different flavour combinations, from classic fruit and nut to more adventurous salt and chilli varieties.
Brona Chocolates’ name comes from Dan’s daughter, Brona, and the business supplies everything from supermarkets and petrol stations to event venues, airports, and tourist destinations in Ireland, and they have their own online store. The close-knit team that includes Dan’s wife, Noreen and their children, who also contribute to the tasting process. Their chocolates are well regarded locally and are increasingly gaining recognition beyond Kerry, with ambitions for expanding their workforce and retail presence.
Butlers Chocolates is one of Ireland’s most iconic and longstanding chocolate companies, founded in 1932 by Marion Bailey-Butler in Dublin’s Lad Lane. Marion established the company initially under the name Chez Nous, crafting luxury handmade chocolates.
In 1959, the company was purchased by Seamus Sorensen, and by 1984 it was rebranded as Butlers Irish Chocolates to honour its founder’s dedication to the craft. Today, Butlers remains a family-owned business managed by the Sorensen family and is renowned for its wide range of luxury chocolates, including truffles, fudge, toffee, and seasonal specialities.
Butlers is also famous for pioneering the Butlers Chocolate Café concept, which began in 1998 with a first café on Wicklow Street in Dublin. Today, there are over 39 cafés throughout Ireland and internationally, including locations in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. The cafés serve premium hot beverages alongside their chocolates, with the Butlers Hot Chocolate being a flagship product. Butlers Chocolates has received numerous awards, including marketing recognition from Bord Bia. The company operates from a modern production facility in Dublin and distributes chocolates in over 30 countries worldwide.
The Chocolate Manor is an award-winning luxury chocolate producer, artisan food emporium, and chocolate experience provider located at Castlerock, Coleraine, Northern Ireland.
This 120-year-old building offers visitors an immersive chocolate experience led by chief chocolatier Geri Martin. Guests can participate in hands-on workshops, including tempering chocolate, moulding their own bars, making sea-salted caramel ganache truffles with locally harvested Mussenden Sea Salt, and decorating their creations.
In addition to the workshops, visitors can enjoy luxurious hot chocolate, often by the nearby Castlerock beach when the weather permits. The Chocolate Manor combines artisan chocolate making with local produce, creating a uniquely Irish indulgence.
The venue has won the Best Food and Drink Experience (Small) award at the Giant Spirit Awards 2022 and is fully accessible, catering to families, corporate groups, and school events alike. It also features a chocolate shop and artisan food emporium for those seeking handcrafted chocolate goodies to take home or gift.
Clo’s Chocolates is an artisanal Irish chocolate brand founded by Clotilde Rambaud, originally from France, who brought her passion for premium chocolate to Ireland after relocating. After establishing Le Fournil Bakery in Sligo town, Clotilde began crafting small- batch chocolates using high-quality cocoa beans sourced ethically, focusing on unique flavours inspired by her culinary background and Irish ingredients, and Clo Chocolates was born.
The company emphasises sustainability through their practices while hand-tempering chocolate in-house without preservatives or palm oil. Clo Chocolates has built a loyal following online, fostering relationships with independent stores nationwide, such as Kate’s Kitchen in Sligo, while also being stocked in food halls such as Avoca and Fallon & Byrne.
The brand has won numerous awards, such as winning the & Best New Business award at the Irish Food Awards shortly after launch, along with multiple Great Taste Awards for standout products like sea salt caramels and single-origin bars, which both use locally produced honey and sea salt. Clotilde’s dedication to transparency in sourcing and production has earned further recognition, including features in national media and endorsements from food critics.
Cocoa by Judit is an award-winning artisan chocolate company based in Cappoquin, County Waterford. Founded by Judit McNally, who has over 20 years of experience in confectionery and baking, having run a café for two decades, prior to focusing fully on chocolate-making. Judit trained professionally in Sweden before returning to Ireland to create luxury hand-painted chocolates.
Her chocolates are crafted in small batches using locally sourced ingredients, reflecting a commitment to quality, sustainability, and ethical sourcing. The brand is known for its artistic presentation and indulgent flavours, offering a distinct chocolate experience that combines creativity with Irish terroir.
Cocoa by Judit products include a variety of hand-painted chocolates and unique flavour combinations such as Déise Gold and Blackwater Blush. The company is family-run and embraces environmentally friendly packaging. Cocoa by Judit is well-regarded in the artisan food community, with chocolates available at local markets, festivals, and through online sales.
A recent winner of Blas na hÉireann Gold 2025 and Best emerging Artisan producer at Listowel Food Festival.
Founded in Greystones Co. Wicklow, by siblings Alison and Aaron Stroh, alongside support from Dr. Johannes Coy, a renowned German oncologist and biologist whose breakthrough discovery in intelligent sugar led to the creation of this patented chocolate. The founders are passionate about crafting chocolate that is good for you as well as delicious. The innovative nature of their product has earned them recognition, and the brand is rapidly expanding internationally, underscoring its significant impact in the health foods sector.
Dr Coy’s chocolate is a unique product developed with a focus on health and nutrition. It is the only patented chocolate in the world, created by replacing traditional sugars with a natural, healthier alternative. The chocolate combines the enjoyment of rich, indulgent flavours with nutritional benefits, promoting positive eating habits. It’s stocked in a range of supermarkets in Ireland, such as Tesco, Supervalu, Nourish, Donnybrook Fair, as well as health food stores nationwide. Award-winning, it is also endorsed by many foodie celebrities such as Sophie Morris, Orla Drumgoole aka “IrishMammyCooks” and Beatrice Caffrey.
Based in County Galway, Gra Chocolates was founded by award-winning pastry chef Gráinne Mullins in 2020. The company creates luxury handcrafted chocolates, made in small batches using the finest ethically sourced Valrhona chocolate, Casa Luker cocoa butter, and Irish cream and butter. Each chocolate is carefully crafted and hand-painted, taking three days to perfect, with seasonal flavours drawing inspiration from Ireland’s rich larder. Their moulds are hand-polished to give a glossy sheen, and the chocolates are celebrated for their exquisite taste and artisanal quality.
The company has seen a huge expansion in recent years. In an Image Magazine article, Grainne said: “I went from being unemployed to employing 12 people in a year.”
Grá Chocolates has a retail presence in Dublin at Brown Thomas on Grafton Street, where customers can enjoy their unique chocolate creations in person. The brand is known for visually dynamic and beautifully packaged chocolates, perfect for gifting, weddings, or corporate events. Their products include a variety of chocolate bars, truffles, hot chocolates, and limited-edition collections with flavours such as salted caramel, pistachio, and raspberry tart. They’ve received a range of recognitions, from winning Best in County, sponsored by Galway Local Enterprise Office, to taking home the ‘Best Pitch’ Award at Prep4Seed Investor Pitch Event.
Hazel Mountain Chocolate is Ireland’s first bean-to-bar chocolate factory, founded in 2014 by the couple Kasha and John Connolly. Located in County Clare near the Burren and Galway Bay, the company is known for its sustainable, small-batch artisan chocolates made from ethically sourced cacao beans.
Their process involves roasting, cracking, winnowing, and stone grinding the cocoa nibs, followed by ageing the chocolate for three weeks to develop depth of flavour. The chocolate features uniquely Irish elements, such as Irish milk from grass-fed cows and Cuban cacao beans, creating luxurious milk and dark chocolates with minimal processing and less sugar. Hazel Mountain also features a visitor centre and café, inviting customers to witness the chocolate-making journey from bean to bar.
The founders are deeply rooted in the local landscape and heritage. Kasha brings a third-generation baking background and is the creative force behind the brand, while John manages operations and sourcing. Over the years, Hazel Mountain has received several prestigious awards, including a bronze medal from the Academy of Chocolate and recognition among Ireland’s top food attractions. They gained widespread attention with a TV appearance featuring Nigella Lawson, celebrating the quality of their chocolate.
NearyNógs is Northern Ireland’s first bean-to-bar craft chocolate maker, established in 2011 by Shane and Dorothy Neary in County Down. The company is a family business. Initially, they started to make chocolate to support the Neary’s daughter’s charitable work and later adapted it into a business to provide flexible employment when she developed serious health issues.
NearyNógs specialises in small-batch, stoneground chocolate crafted with meticulous attention to detail. They ethically source sustainable cacao beans from a range of global farms, including locations in Central and South America, the Caribbean, West Africa, and Asia, focusing on direct trade and fair wages for farmers. Their products are innovative and Irish-themed, featuring flavours like Irish soda bread, Irish whiskey, and Irish seaweed, offering unique local ingredients alongside classic single-origin chocolate bars.
The Neary family runs the company as a close-knit team, with Dorothy as the chief chocolate crafter and Shane handling administrative and production duties. In 2018, they expanded to a converted potato farm that serves as their factory, retail space, and visitor centre. They offer engaging experiences such as factory tours, chocolate and whiskey tasting events in partnership with local distilleries, and workshops that highlight their bean-to-bar process.
Their commitment to sustainability is reflected in their use of recyclable packaging and solar-powered production. NearyNógs has grown its presence both locally and internationally, with distribution in parts of Europe and the US, capturing interest through appearances like a commercial during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City.
Proper Chocolate Company is a Dublin-based artisan bean-to-bar chocolate maker founded in May 2016 by Patrick and Kelli Marjolet. Having previously lived in San Francisco, where they developed their passion for craft chocolate, they started producing small-batch micro-batch chocolates in Dublin.
The company focuses on transparency of sourcing, sustainability, and attention to flavour detail, handcrafting chocolate bars from ethically sourced cacao beans. Their product range often includes classic flavours with a modern twist and emphasises quality and craftsmanship in every step of the chocolate-making process.
Patrick and Kelli’s background in marketing and creative industries supports their business with strong branding and storytelling, growing a reputation for bringing craft chocolate culture to Dublin, offering products that appeal to both traditional chocolate lovers and enthusiasts seeking more complex flavour profiles.
Sugar Plum Sweetery is an award-winning artisan chocolatier and sweet shop located in Mullingar, County Westmeath. Founded by Denise Buckley and David Quirke as an extension of their restaurant next door, Wholesome Kitchen opened in 2019, it features an on-site chocolate factory where master chocolatiers handcraft over 150 different handmade products daily.
Famous for their Dubai-style bars going viral here in Ireland, they have captivated the nation with their much sought-after chocolate and extensions of this collection. Over the last year, they have grown their business from 12 employees to a workforce of over 90, a testament to the popularity of their products.
The company places a strong emphasis on premium ingredients, innovative recipes, and playful, experience-driven products, appealing to families, gifting customers, and younger shoppers seeking something new and exciting. They’ve recently launched a new store in Kildare Village with people queuing daily to try their products. You’ll also find them in Arnotts, Brown Thomas, Avoca, Kilkenny Designs and other retailers around the country. Well-positioned as one of the emerging Irish chocolatiers to watch in the coming years.
Located on the shores of Lough Derg in Co. Clare, Wilde Irish Chocolates has spent over 25 years making real, handmade chocolate that brings people together.
Inspired by a lifelong love of chocolate and with the guidance of Wilde’s quote “I can resist everything except temptation,” Patricia and her co-founder husband Con ( the real Wilde fan) started making chocolates to fill a developing niche for genuinely Irish-made food gifts that people bring home to friends and family from their holidays.
In the kitchen of their 200-year-old cottage in rural Co. Clare, and with nothing but a wonky fridge and a few ‘how-to’ books, and some basic tools, they began to develop their chocolate ideas into yummy, irresistible products. 25 years on, the demand for these handmade works of chocolate art has grown the business into a thriving artisan chocolate manufacturer. But the simple desire to make authentic small-batch gorgeously tempting artisan chocolates is still the driving force behind the brand.
Wilde Irish Chocolates, is now a thriving artisan chocolate manufacturer and a prominent tourist destination in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and with their and with deep-rooted commitment to traditional artisan chocolate-making techniques the business has seen significant expansion over the past 25 years and now encompasses the original chocolate factory, a Hot Chocolate Café, immersive Chocolate Factory visitor experiences, and a choc full chocolate shop.
At the heart of the business is the dedication to crafting not just chocolates but beautiful pieces of edible art, designed to delight your taste buds and ignite your imagination. With sustainably sourced chocolate, 90% plastic-free and fully recyclable packaging and now with solar power too, the journey to sustainable chocolate making continues.
Top image: Photo by Pablo Merchán Montes on Unsplash
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