We believe that local food and drink is the gateway to our Irish culture, connecting you with our people, our traditions and the history of our island.

ABOUT

GOOD FOOD IRELAND®

OUR story

In 2006, from her farm in County Wexford, Margaret Jeffares had a bold vision to unite Ireland’s two greatest indigenous industries: agri-food and tourism. Determined to elevate local food and drink as a driving force for economic growth, she founded Good Food Ireland®. This pioneering initiative became the trusted consumer endorsement for Ireland’s finest local food and drink, setting a new standard of transparency and quality. The vision highlighted the rich heritage of Ireland’s farming, fishing and food production, connecting people with unique, immersive food and drink experiences. By showcasing the best of Irish food and drink, it has helped reshape the way people experience Ireland, ensuring that food became a key element of the country’s identity and a vital part of the Irish cultural experience.

AN All-Ireland Experience

Good Food Ireland® offers an authentic taste of Ireland through a curated selection of local food and drink experiences. Its trusted mark of excellence ensures people enjoy only the finest food, made with local ingredients and crafted with care. The businesses within the Good Food Ireland® Collection form a community of individuals dedicated to providing the very best in Irish culinary experiences, ensuring that every meal tells a story of Ireland’s rich food culture. Whether it’s fine dining, a charming café, or a craft beverage, you can rely on Good Food Ireland® to guide you to the best local flavours across the island.

 

IRELAND'S Culinary Culture

Discover the best of Irish food with Good Food Ireland®. From locally-sourced ingredients to unforgettable dining experiences, we bring you authentic tastes from across Ireland. Whether you’re savouring fresh seafood by the coast, enjoying farm-to-table dishes, or learning new cooking skills, every visit guarantees a true taste of Ireland’s finest. Trust in our curated selection of top-quality restaurants, producers and food and drink experiences, ensuring you enjoy exceptional flavours with every bite!

 

We Believe in Standards

We are passionate about showcasing local food, drink, and traditional Irish hospitality, all while offering you an authentic, high-quality Irish experience. That’s why Good Food Ireland® is so unique. Every business in our collection is personally visited and certified by our team, ensuring only the highest standards before they’re invited to join. We stand by our promise to deliver excellence to you and to each other.

Our Philosophy

Our philosophy centers around a deep commitment to showcasing the best of Irish produce. Regardless of size, every business in our collection shares a dedication to using core indigenous ingredients, celebrating the flavours of Ireland. We prioritise sustainability by supporting local farmers, food producers and fishermen, ensuring that each experience reflects the true spirit of Irish cuisine. It’s about honouring tradition, supporting local communities and delivering authentic, high-quality food and drink.

Our Promise

The Good Food Ireland® promise is to provide an authentic, high-quality Irish food and drink experience. Every business in our collection meets strict standards for quality, sustainability, and service. We offer more than just local food and drink, we share the true essence of Ireland with you, from people who genuinely care. Let us be your friend, share our secrets, and deliver a memorable experience that celebrates the best of Irish cuisine and hospitality.

A Food Lovers paradise

If you’re a food lover, Good Food Ireland® offers the ultimate collection to experience the best of Ireland’s culinary delights. Whether you stay in a charming B&B, an Irish castle, a country house or a luxurious 5-star hotel, you can rest assured that your stay will be enhanced by incredible local food and drink. From casual bistros to Michelin-star restaurants, village pubs to cosy cafés, we’ve got your lunch and dinner covered. Explore food and drink producers, take farm tours and tastings or visit our shops and delis for a delicious picnic featuring local produce. You can even join cookery schools to learn how to create dishes using Ireland’s finest ingredients.

Be Inspired

The Good Food Ireland® Collection brings you closer to authentic local cuisine, from farm to fork and sea to plate. Travel like a local and explore the rich natural ingredients from Ireland’s fertile landscapes and coastal waters.

From mushroom hunts and cheese tastings to oyster farm tours, whiskey or beer tastings, our carefully curated experiences are constantly evolving. Shop online or gift an unforgettable taste of Ireland. Our Good Food Ireland® Tours and Experiences offer a unique opportunity to connect with the people, culinary traditions and culture of Ireland for the ultimate authentic holiday experience.

AT HOME

Discover the essence of Ireland through its food and culture at the Good Food Ireland® Online Shop. Explore our collection of handpicked Gifts and Foodhall Boxes filled with delicious local produce from Irish farmers, food producers, and fishermen.

Delight in a wide selection of cookbooks and food travel books by Ireland’s favourite chefs and authors. Our shop also offers exclusive kitchen accessories, including our exclusive range of aprons, tea towels and Irish-designed crafts, such as handwoven throws and scarves, perfect for your home or as a thoughtful gift. Support our vision and share the gift of Good Food Ireland® with someone special today.

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

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