The Cheesemonger’s Notes
reland’s original farmhouse blue cheese, balancing creamy richness with gentle blue character
Cashel Blue is Ireland’s original farmhouse blue cheese, first created in 1984 by Louis and Jane Grubb on their family farm at Beechmount in County Tipperary. Their ambition was simple yet profound: to create a blue cheese that reflected the exceptional quality of milk produced by grass-fed cows grazing the rich pastures of rural Ireland.
Still made on the same farm today, and now under the care of the second generation, Cashel Blue remains true to its farmhouse origins. Made using cow’s milk and matured carefully, it develops a creamy, supple texture with delicate blue veining throughout its paste.
When young, Cashel Blue is firm yet creamy with a fresh, tangy blue character. As it matures, the texture softens and becomes richer and more rounded, with the flavours integrating into a beautifully balanced whole. Unlike stronger blues, Cashel Blue is defined by its harmony — offering depth and complexity without overwhelming intensity.
This is a cheese that helped redefine blue cheesemaking in the British Isles — proving that blue cheese could be elegant, approachable, and deeply expressive of its landscape.
Perfect Pairings
• Apple chutney or fruit preserves
• Fresh pear or apple
• Walnut bread or oatcakes
• Irish porter or stout
• Medium-bodied red wines
Ideal Uses
• A superb centrepiece for a cheese board
• Perfect introduction to artisan blue cheese
• Crumbled into salads
• Melted into sauces
• Served simply with bread and fruit
Why We Stock It
Cashel Blue holds a special place in the story of modern artisan cheesemaking. As Ireland’s first farmhouse blue cheese, it helped establish a new tradition built on quality milk, careful maturation, and independent craft.
At The Norfolk Deli, we select cheeses that represent authenticity and excellence. Cashel Blue offers customers a beautifully balanced blue cheese that delivers richness, character, and genuine farmhouse heritage.
Not for Export