If you’re buying chocolate to give to a friend or family member, surprise them with something special from one of these beautiful Irish brands
Chocolate is a great gift to give at Christmas. Almost everyone loves it and it removes the ‘what to offer the guest with a cup of tea’ dilemma for the recipient!
And while it might be tempting to pick up a tub of the usual festive fare, why not go for something a bit more unique? Ireland is brimming with fantastic chocolate makers and while you might be aware of a few of them, how much do you actually know about some of the biggest names in Irish chocolate?
Here’s a little background information so you have a story to tell next time you pick up a box for someone you love.
Butlers Chocolates
Butlers Chocolates was established in Dublin in 1932 and is Ireland’s largest family-owned chocolate producer. The company operates its eponymous retail network – Butlers Chocolate Cafés – of which there are now 27 in Ireland in addition to international franchises. The Butlers Chocolates range includes a wide variety of premium gift assortments, chocolate bars and seasonal presentations and are available in selected retailers nationwide.
This Christmas sees the launch of a special premium gift box and a delicious hazelnut crunch Christmas Tree slab, in addition to the return of some Butlers Christmas Classics. Visit butlerschocolates.com for more.
Lily O’ Brien’s
Lily O’Brien’s Chocolates started life as the brainchild of Mary Ann O’Brien, who discovered her true passion for all things chocolate in the early 1990’s after fighting a debilitating illness. Mary Ann honed her chocolate-making skills among world class chefs and chocolatiers in both South Africa and Europe, before starting her own mini-enterprise from her Kildare kitchen in 1992. With little more than two saucepans, a wooden spoon and her then toddler Lily, Mary Ann began to create high quality chocolate recipes for friends and family.
Years later, Lily O’Brien’s Chocolates has become a firm favourite in homes across the country and indeed, further afield. With a range of delicious new gifting selections including the Luxury Collection, the irresistible Christmas Desserts Collection, Assorted Truffles, a Salted Caramel Hanging Christmas Tree, and classic favourites, like the Desserts Collection, the only hard choice you’ll have to make this festive season is which box will you choose? Available in stores nationwide and at lilyobriens.ie
Aine’s Handmade Chocolate
Áine’s Handmade Chocolate, located in Stradone Village, Co Cavan, is an award-winning producer of handmade premium Irish chocolate. It was founded in 1999 by Ann Rudden, a Master Chocolatier and a woman with a vision ‘to create chocolate as it should be – mouth-watering, melt-in-the-mouth magic that is made with only the purest, freshest, natural ingredients.’ Ann has assembled an award-winning team of innovative chocolate makers supported by a modern, flexible and scalable production capability.
Aine’s Chocolates are handmade, gluten free and rainforest alliance, cocoa trace and cocoa horizon. In addition to a range of sizes of delicious chocolates, it also offers handmade chocolate Santas and Snowmen this Christmas as well as hampers for €30, €50 and €100 that can be shipped around the world. See chocolates.ie for more details.
Bon Chocolatiers
Bon Chocolatiers emerged in October 2020, crafting handmade and hand painted chocolates as edible works of art. Located in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, the co-founders, Georgia Quealy and Daniel Linehan, showcase the best ethically sourced and Irish ingredients. Their chocolates are truly artisan and have won 5 stars at Blas na hEireann. The Bon Chocolatiers Christmas range is full of magical and exciting chocolate treats including a Christmas-themed gift box of 12 hand painted artisan chocolates, called “Festive Treats” (€31.50) with delicious seasonal flavours such as Christmas S’mores, Crunchy Caramel & Praline, Pistachio Cranberry & Morello Cherry and Cointreau & Blood Orange.
Their much loved, hand-painted “Rockin’ Robins” (€16) come in three indulgent festive flavours. These meticulously handcrafted chocolates are available to buy at Fallon & Byrne in Dublin, online at bonchocolatiers.ie with nationwide and UK shipping.
Brodericks Brothers
Ina Broderick started baking and selling cakes from her family home in Dublin in 1983 to local cafés and catering outlets. As Ina’s reputation grew, so did her business, creating quality, handmade and great tasting cakes, muffins and traybakes.
Now Ina’s sons, Barry and Bernard, are managing the business which employs over 100 people. Brodericks use only Belgian chocolate, Irish creamery butter, Broderick’s caramel and locally-sourced ingredients to make their products. See brodericksbrothers.shop for more.
Lír Chocolates
Lír Chocolates began in 1987 in Dublin when Connie Doody and Mary White started making chocolates at a kitchen table with just a mixer and bowl. Today, Lír has grown into a top chocolatier, known for premium, hand-finished chocolates enjoyed around the world.
With over 250 skilled chocolatiers, Lír uses unique ingredients like lemongrass, lime, and sea salt to create award-winning chocolates. From its kitchen roots to modern facilities in Navan, with silky truffles and nutty pralines, Lír brings a touch of luxury to any holiday gathering. Visit lirchocolates.com to find out more.
