Easter is the one time we can indulge in chocolate without feeling tooooo guilty! It’s become a food tradition, hasnt it?!  During Easter holidays, there’s an opportunity to take the kids to find some of Ireland’s finest chocolates.  In Bonane, Co. Kerry, Lorge Chocolate Shop is a delight. Set in an old post office, now the place of production and sales for the work of award winning Master Chocolatier Benoit Lorge. Lorge Easter eggs are works of art – handcrafted and highly decorated with gilding and all sorts of wonderful things – you don’t know whether to eat them or admire them! A trip out to the shop is a scenic drive on the Glengarrif Road, close to Kenmare in Co. Kerry – and what a place to spend a little time at the end of it!

 In the wilds of County Clare, Wilde Irish Chocolates has a small shop on the site of the production at Tuamgraney. Here you can browse the selection of bars, truffles and other creations, and see the chocolate makers at work in the background. This is Charlie and The Chocolate factory brought to life on a small scale! The smell of chocolate as you walk in is a heady aphrodisiac for chocoholics! The kids will love it.

 Chez Emily Chocolate Shop and Cafe in Coolquay, The Ward, Co. Dublin, is based at the home of chocolate maker Ferdinand Vandaele and his wife Helena Hemeryck.  This easter, you’ll find moulded chocolate bunnies, bunny rabbit chocolate lollipops, gift wrapped chocolate chickens with eggs in them, traditional decorated eggs and lots more. You’ll enjoy a cuppa and a nibble on some chocolate or a pastry after your retail therapy.  You may even meet the chocolate maker and his wife!