Carrigaline's Stonewell Cider scoops trio of Blas na hÉireann awards

Multi-award winning Carrigaline-based Stonewell Cider has added yet more accolades to its bulging trophy cabinet, scooping a trio of awards at this year’s Blas na hÉireann Irish Food awards.

The company took home two gold medals and a bronze for its Stonewell Medium Dry, Rós and Cask ciders.

The latest awards mark a significant milestone for the company, coming a decade after Stonewell Rós was named Supreme Champion at Blas na hÉireann in 2016.

Named after the old stone well at the Nohoval home of founders Daniel and Geraldine Emerson, the company was founded in 2010 with its first batch of cider mad made ‘the proper old-school way’, using a traditional French press and apple mill gifted by Geraldine’s father, a winemaker from the Loire Valley in France.

Since then it has built up an enviable reputation for producing cider from 100% fresh Irish apple juice, without the use of concentrate or artificial additives, 16 years on continuing to produce its cider in the traditional way at its state of the art Carrigaline facility.

Irish apple growers

Stonewell Cider works with Irish apple growers, sourcing apples from orchards in Waterford, Tipperary and Armagh. The fruit is pressed and fermented to create its range of ciders, with the emphasis remaining firmly on provenance, quality and the character of the Irish apple.

The latest awards come in what has already been an important year for the company, which last summer invested significantly in its Cork cidery, with the installation of a new bottling line.

The investment has brought bottling in-house for the first time, giving Stonewell greater control over its production process while significantly increasing capacity and efficiency.

Geraldine Emerson said that while winning at year’s Blas na hÉireann is always special, this year had particular significance given it marked the tenth anniversary of Rós being named Supreme Champion.

Rós has been particularly successful in recent years and was also awarded Gold and the overall trophy for Best Flavoured Cider at the 2026 International Cider Awards.

“To still be receiving this level of recognition a decade later means a great deal to our team,” said Geraldine.

She said it has topped off what has been a very important year for Stonewell.

“Bringing bottling in-house is a significant investment for a small independent producer like us. It gives us much greater control and flexibility over our production and puts us in a strong position for the next stage of the business, while ensuring that quality remains at the heart of everything we do,” 

said Geraldine.

Looking ahead, she said that next year Stonewell will be opening up its line capacity, offering co-packing and contract bottling services to other drinks producers.

“It’s an exciting development for us and allows us to make the most of the investment we’ve made, while building another side to the Stonewell business.”

As Stonewell looks towards its next phase of growth, the company says its focus remains unchanged.

Producing distinctive Irish cider from fresh Irish apples and continuing to build recognition for premium Irish cider both at home and internationally.