Ireland has no shortage of great apples, and a growing number of independent cider makers have been turning that fruit into seriously impressive craft cider.
This guide highlights 10 of the best award-winning craft cider producers in Ireland. We’ve ranked them by recent award success, starting with trophy and gold medal winners, followed by producers with strong silver, bronze and long-standing award records. Whether you prefer dry cider, sweet cider, flavoured cider, oak-aged cider or something a little different, these Irish cider makers are well worth discovering.
From old family orchards in Armagh to small-batch makers in Cork, Waterford, Louth and Down, Irish craft cider is now firmly on the map
1. Stonewell Cider, Co Cork
Stonewell Cider is a big name in Irish craft cider right now. Based in Cork and founded in 2010, Stonewell has built its reputation on proper apple-led cider made without artificial sweeteners, colourings or unnecessary additives. The result is a clean, honest cider range that feels both traditional and modern.
Its biggest recent success came with Stonewell Rós, which won the International Flavoured Cider Trophy at the 2026 International Cider Awards. Stonewell also picked up recent Blas na hÉireann 2025 Gold awards for Stonewell Medium Dry and Stonewell Sting, making it a strong choice for the top spot.
Award-winning products to try: Stonewell Rós, Stonewell Medium Dry, Stonewell Sting, Stonewell Tawny, Stonewell Applesecco.
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2. Armagh Cider Company, Co Armagh
Armagh is apple country, so it’s no surprise that Armagh Cider Company has become one of Ireland’s best-known craft cider producers. Based near Portadown, the business has been making cider since 2006 and produces a wide range of ciders, juices, soft drinks and apple-based products.
The company did extremely well at Blas na hÉireann 2025, where Armagh Craft Cider Sweet won Gold and Armagh Craft Cider Medium won Silver. Its full range includes product names such as Carsons, Maddens and Doyles.
Award-winning products to try: Armagh Craft Cider Sweet, Armagh Craft Cider Medium, Carsons Crisp, Maddens Mellow, Doyles Summer Fruit, Doyles Honey.
3. Long Meadow Cider, Co Armagh
Long Meadow Cider is another excellent Armagh producer with an orchard-to-glass approach. The family-run business makes cider, apple juice and apple cider vinegar using apples grown on its own farm, giving the brand a local flavour.
Recent awards include Silver for Berry Blast Cider and Bronze for Oak Aged Cider at Blas na hÉireann 2025. The producer also won Blas Gold in 2024 for Blossom Burst.
Award-winning products to try: Berry Blast Cider, Oak Aged Cider, Blossom Burst, Rhubarb & Honey Cider, Long Meadow Medium Cider.
4. Legacy Irish Cider, Co Waterford
Legacy Irish Cider is a small cider business based in Dungarvan, Co Waterford, making natural cider from Irish apples. It’s a good example of the kind of small, local producer that has helped give Irish craft cider a big personality and great variety in recent years.
Legacy has picked up recognition at both Blas na hÉireann and Great Taste. Legacy Irish Cider Medium received two Great Taste stars, while Legacy Irish Cider Dry, Legacy Mulled Cider and Longways Elderflower Cider, produced in the Legacy cidery, have all been recognised at Blas.
Award-winning products to try: Legacy Irish Cider Medium, Legacy Irish Cider Dry, Legacy Mulled Cider, Longways Elderflower Cider.
5. Tempted Cider, Co Antrim
Tempted Cider is a family-run cider business founded by Davy and Janet Uprichard. The producer uses apples from Armagh along with selected cider apple varieties, and its range includes everything from dry and medium styles to fruit and low-alcohol ciders.
Tempted did well at the 2026 International Cider Awards, winning Silver for Tempted Strawberry Cider, Silver for Tempted Elderflower Cider and Bronze for Tempted Low Alcohol Cider.
Award-winning products to try: Tempted Strawberry Cider, Tempted Elderflower Cider, Tempted Low Alcohol Cider, Tempted Dry, Tempted Sweet.
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6. Mac Ivors Cider Co, Co Armagh
The business combines orchard heritage with a polished craft cider range, covering dry, medium, fruit-infused and alcohol-free options.
Its recent highlight is Mac Ivors Fine Cider Cask 3, which won Silver at the 2026 International Cider Awards. The producer also has a major historic award under its belt: Mac Ivors Traditional Dry was named Champion Cider at the 2015 International Brewing Awards.
Award-winning products to try: Mac Ivors Fine Cider Cask 3, Traditional Dry, Medium, Plum & Ginger, Alcohol Free Cider.
Mac Ivors Cider Co is a family-owned Armagh cider producer with roots in apple growing going back generations.
7. Kilmegan Cider, Co Down
Kilmegan Cider is a traditional cider producer based in Dundrum, Co Down. It has a rustic, farmhouse feel and is known for making real cider with character rather than chasing mass-market sweetness.
Kilmegan has an impressive awards history, including a Reserve Champion Trophy at the International Brewing & Cider Awards for Kilmegan Real Cider. It has also won medals at the International Cider Challenge, Great Taste and British Cider Championships.
Award-winning products to try: Kilmegan Real Cider, Kilmegan Elderflower Cider, Kilmegan Irish Farmhouse Cider, Wild Elderflower Infused Cider.
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8. Killahora Orchards / Johnny Fall Down, Co Cork
Killahora Orchards is one of the most interesting cider producers in Ireland.
Its Johnny Fall Down range has picked up recognition at major competitions including Blas na hÉireann, Great Taste, Royal Bath & West and the International Cider Challenge.
Award-winning products to try: Johnny Fall Down Bittersweet, Wild Apple Bouché, Killahora Poiré, Rare Apple Ice Wine, Pom’O.
Based in Co Cork, the business works with an old orchard containing more than 100 apple and pear varieties, which gives its ciders and perries real depth and individuality.
9. Longueville House Beverages, Co Cork
Longueville House is a family estate in the Blackwater Valley in Co Cork, producing cider and apple brandy from apples grown on the estate. It has a slightly more heritage feel than some of the newer craft producers, but its products are still very much part of the Irish craft cider movement.
Its best-known award success came with Longueville House Cider Mór, which won Gold and was named Overall Champion at the Alltech Commonwealth Cup / Dublin Craft Cider Cup in 2018. The estate has also received Great Taste and Blas recognition.
Award-winning products to try: Longueville House Cider Mór, Longueville House Cider, Longueville House Apple Brandy.
10. Dan Kelly’s Cider, Co Louth
Dan Kelly’s Cider is made at Boyne Grove Fruit Farm near Drogheda, Co Louth, where the family has been growing apples for generations. The ciders are made using apples from the farm and are blended from a wide range of apple varieties.
The producer has picked up Blas na hEireann Awards 2022 recognition, including Bronze for Dan Kelly’s Single Variety Cider and Bronze for Dan Kelly’s Whiskey Cask Cider. Its Original Cider has also been a Blas finalist, making Dan Kelly’s a strong final entry in this round-up.
Award-winning products to try: Dan Kelly’s Single Variety Cider, Dan Kelly’s Whiskey Cask Cider, Dan Kelly’s Original Cider, Coll’s Craft Cider, Draught Style Cider.
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