Explore Irish culture through local food and drink, bringing you closer to our people, our traditions and our island.

ABOUT

GOOD FOOD IRELAND®

OUR story

Established in 2006, Good Food Ireland® began with a bold vision: to unite Ireland’s agri-food and tourism sectors under one trusted brand and to position Irish food and drink as a central part of the visitor experience. It was the first destination brand of its kind in Europe, created to champion local food and drink as a key driver of tourism and economic growth. At a time when local sourcing was still emerging as a focus, Good Food Ireland® became a pioneer, shining a light on the people, the produce and the places that make Irish food culture so special.

The Good Food Ireland® Effect

Over the years, the brand has grown into a nationally and internationally recognised seal of approval, built on independently assessed standards, a passionate commitment to sustainability and a genuine celebration of Irish provenance. Its impact has been tangible, according to Grant Thornton, 92% of businesses affiliated with Good Food Ireland® increased their purchasing of Irish food as a result of their involvement with the brand, a powerful testament to its influence on supporting local producers and sustainable practices.

Rooted in Values, Growing in Reach

Today, Good Food Ireland® continues to evolve, expanding its offering through the Good Food Ireland® Collection, the Good Food Ireland® Shop and now Good Food Ireland® Experiences, a dedicated platform for booking food and drink experiences across the island. But at its core, the mission remains the same: to support local people, to raise standards and to connect you with the real taste of Ireland through the passionate people who bring it to life.

We Believe in Standards

Good Food Ireland® believes in standards because they are the foundation of trust, authenticity and excellence, values at the very heart of the brand. By setting clear, independently assessed standards, Good Food Ireland® ensures that every business in its Collection consistently delivers on what it promises, real Irish food and drink experiences rooted in local sourcing, sustainability and genuine hospitality. 

Why choose us?

When you choose  Good Food Ireland® you can feel confident that you’re supporting people and places that uphold the highest levels of quality, care and authenticity. Whether you’re dining in a coastal restaurant, staying in a countryside inn, or visiting a family-run farm, every experience has been personally visited and approved by our team because we believe you deserve the very best. For us, standards are about more than quality. They’re about respect for the land, the food and the people behind it all. That’s what makes the Good Food Ireland® Collection unique. It’s not just where to go, it’s who to trust.

Our Promise

Standards that protect and preserve what makes Irish food culture so special. We recognise and reward those who go the extra mile through our annual Good Food Ireland Awards. Our standards are not about rules, they are about respect for the land, for the food and for the people who bring it all to life. We stand by our promise to deliver excellence. 

Experience the Best

The Good Food Ireland® Collection is your trusted guide to discovering authentic Irish food and drink experiences across the entire island of Ireland. Each business in the Collection, from charming family-run pubs and artisan producers to award-winning restaurants and boutique hotels has been carefully selected and visited by the Good Food Ireland® team to ensure the highest standards of quality, sustainability and genuine connection to Irish food culture. Every place in the Collection offers more than just a meal or product, it tells a story. A story of local ingredients nurtured by passionate farmers, of traditional recipes handed down through generations and of chefs and producers committed to showcasing Ireland’s unique culinary heritage.

Why our Collection

At the heart of every business in the Good Food Ireland® Collection are passionate people, farmers, fishers, makers, chefs, each dedicated to sharing the true authentic taste of Ireland. Their knowledge, warmth and pride in their craft bring every experience to life. That’s why Good Food Ireland® is the go-to destination for food lovers seeking not just great food, but meaningful connections with the people who make it all possible.

For Food Lovers, Locals and Visitors Alike

Whether you’re a local foodie rediscovering the flavours of your own region or an international visitor seeking a genuine Irish culinary journey, the Good Food Ireland® Collection is your passport to authentic, memorable food and drink experiences that truly represent the island’s rich and diverse food landscape.

 

Explore the Collection, read our full reviews and discover the best that Irish food and drink has to offer, trusted, celebrated and ready to welcome you.

MEET

THE TEAM

Our expert team have years of experience in food, tourism and travel. We know our food and our people so you can be certain you’re in the right hands.

Margaret Jeffares
Margaret Jeffares
Founder & Managing Director
Susan Kerr
Susan Kerr
Executive Director
Dr Detta Melia
Dr Detta Melia
Quality Assurance
Bárbara Young
Bárbara Young
Digital Marketing Executive
Tom O’Connell
Tom O’Connell
Tom’s formative hotel and food and beverage experience started in Ireland leading to a career in hospitality spanning Europe the UK and Ireland with a training year also spent in New York City. An honours graduate in hospitality management from Shannon College. The consistent thread in Tom’s hospitality path has been the ability to spot trends, stay up-to-date and be consistently innovative. His career focus from the earliest training periods in Switzerland and New York was on Food & Beverage concepts and management efficiency. Innovation and change management have been central pillars of his career. Tom has a proven track record in operational and ownership / management roles within the hospitality business. Tom now works with owners and companies to advise and mentor with a focus on efficiency, innovation and profitability.
Maurice Keller
Maurice Keller
Maurice Keller has over 20 years experience in the food and hospitality sector.
Redmond O’ Donoghue
Redmond O’ Donoghue
Chairman
Margaret Jeffares
Margaret Jeffares
Founder & Managing Director
Darina Allen
Darina Allen
Ballymaloe Cookery School
Peter McCann
Peter McCann
The Merrion Hotel
Sean Boland
Sean Boland
Hertz Ireland
Susan Ker
Susan Ker
Director of Operations
Robert Ditty
Robert Ditty
Ditty's Bakery
Bill Kelly
Bill Kelly
Kelly's Hotel Resort & Spa
Howard Hastings
Howard Hastings
Hastings Hotels
Maurice Keller
Maurice Keller
Good Food Ireland® Ambassador
Peter Ward
Peter Ward
Country Choice
Derry Clarke
Derry Clarke
L'Ecrivain

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

High Recognition from An Taoiseach, the Irish Prime Minister

“Good Food Ireland® really is a brand of quality, so Margaret on behalf of the government and therefore the people to you and your committee and to everybody associated with Good Food Ireland® I say well done, thank you, go raibh míle maith agaibh” An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D.
Our Founder, Margaret Jeffares was invited to The White House, by US President Obama in recognition of her pioneering vision and the establishment of Good Food Ireland®

OUR AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

2015

The Inaugural Irish Tourism Industry Awards | Recognising Success and Innovation – Best Food Experience Award

2015

Margaret Jeffares, Founder, Good Food Ireland® invited by Barack Obama, President of The United States Of America, to The White House

2011 – 2019

Invited to represented Ireland at The Breeders Cup World Horse Racing Championship, USA

2011

Margaret Jeffares, Founder, Good Food Ireland® invited to meet Her Majesty The Queen, on her State Visit to Ireland

2011

The Marketing Institute All Ireland Marketing Awards – Small Business Marketing Award

2010

SFA National Small Business Awards – Outstanding Small Business Award

2009

Margaret Jeffares, Founder, Good Food Ireland® invited to Áras an Uachtaráin to meet Mary McAleese, President of Ireland

2008

The Marketing Institute South East Marketing Awards – New Business Award

2008

The Marketing Institute All Ireland Marketing Awards – Marketing Innovation Award

2007

Design Business Ireland Awards – Branding & Identity Award

OUR AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

2015

Winner of the Inaugural Irish Tourism Industry Awards | Recognising Success and Innovation - Best Food Experience Award

2015

Margaret Jeffares, Founder, Good Food Ireland® invited by Barack Obama, President of The United States Of America, to The White House

2011 – 2019

Invited to represented Ireland at The Breeders Cup World Horse Racing Championship, USA

2011

Margaret Jeffares, Founder, Good Food Ireland® invited to meet Her Majesty The Queen, on her State Visit to Ireland

2011

The Marketing Institute All Ireland Marketing Awards – Small Business Marketing Award

2010

SFA National Small Business Awards - Outstanding Small Business Award

2009

Margaret Jeffares, Founder, Good Food Ireland® invited to Áras an Uachtaráin to meet Mary McAleese, President of Ireland

2008

The Marketing Institute South East Marketing Awards - New Business Award

2008

The Marketing Institute All Ireland Marketing Awards - Marketing Innovation Award

2007

Design Business Ireland Awards - Branding & Identity Award

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