There are a few things Ireland is known for: storytelling, green landscapes, adoring Cillian Murphy, and our incredible dairy products.
The rain and gloom we so often complain about keeps our grass green and healthy. The emphasis, then, on grass-fed cattle means Ireland produces incredibly high quality milk, butter and cheese.
In fact, butter and cheese remain as Ireland’s top two dairy exports from 2023.
Cheese is the 10th ranked category in grocery in Ireland, according to the Top 100 Categories in the 2023 Checkout Top 100 Brands, in association with NIQ, up one place from 11th in the previous year.
Published every August, the Checkout Top 100 Brands is based on branded value sales across the Irish grocery sector, making it the most accurate barometer of the biggest-selling brands in the marketplace.
In compiling the report, NIQ Ireland measures the sales performance of over 5,000 brands from over 200 product classes.
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Ireland’s Top 5 Cheese Brands
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Dubliner
Cheddar is the most popular type of cheese on the list, and this number five is no exception. Retaining its position from last year, Dubliner cheese has remained consistent in its quality while expanding its offering of cheeses.
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Dairylea
UK brand Dairylea also holds onto its spot from last year. It is not surprising that it holds a portion of market share for Irish shoppers considering how wide-ranging their products are. From slices to spreads, dunkers to strip cheese, its diversity makes it a favourite in Irish households.
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Kilmeaden
Another cheddar on the list. Irish brand Kilmeaden believes that cheddar’s flavour naturally improves with time, so they take care with the maturing process before its products reach stores. Kilmeaden previously held the number two spot, but was usurped for 2023.
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Philadelphia
Moving up to the number two spot this year is Philadelphia cheese. Known for its cream cheese, it has expanded in recent years to add flavours to its products. Cream cheese has grown in popularity due to its tangy flavour and ability to pair it with both sweet and savoury combinations. Philadelphia’s reliability and versatility has made it popular in Irish baskets.
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Charleville
The only brand on the list to make it into Checkout’s top 100 Brands overall. Coming in at number 67, it actually plummeted from its previous position of 48 in 2022. Prior to that, it held the 37 position in 2021.
However, it remains as the top cheese brand for customers nationwide. Charleville was first established in 1912 and saw a jump in rankings when it revealed new packaging in 2021. The company say the secret to their success is taking pride in cheese-making, and of course using natural Irish milk!
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