Boilie | |
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Country of origin | Ireland |
Region | Co. Cavan |
Town | Virginia, County Cavan |
Source of milk | Cow or Goat |
Pasteurised | Yes |
Weight | 150 g (5.3 oz), 200 g (7.1 oz), 1 kg (2.2 lb) |
Fivemiletown Creamery is based in Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and is a producer of handmade speciality soft cheeses and cheddars The company is a farmers' co-operative, and employs around 40 people. The creamery draws its milk supplies mostly from over 60 dairy farmers from across Northern Ireland. The company was founded in 1898 and added cheese production in 1972. Fivemiletown Creamery is the only speciality cheese maker in Northern Ireland.
The award-winning range consists of:
Boilie cheese is a soft cream cheese formed into small balls, and marinated in sunflower oil flavoured with herbs and garlic. The cheese was first produced at Ryefield Farm located beside Lough Ramor near Virginia, County Cavan. In 2007, Fivemiltown Creamery acquired Ryefield Farm and continues to produce the cheese at the Fivemiletown base under the Boilie label. There are two varieties, Boilie Irish Cheese Pearls made from cow's milk and Boilie Irish Goat's Cheese made from goat's milk. Both cheeses are made using the same techniques.
In 1973, John and Anne Brodie purchased 85 acres (340,000 m2) of farmland and started with just two cows. In 1984, Anne began by producing a Cheddar cheese and sold it at a market stall in Dublin and some select shops including the supermarket chain Superquinn. In 1992, Anne introduced fresh soft cheese, handrolled into small balls and marinated in sunflower oil, through the Superquinn chain. Initially, no brand name was associated with the product, but eventually it was decided to name the product after a road near their farm called Boilie Road. Later the name "Boilie" was discovered to mean "milking place". In 2007, Ryefield Farm was acquired by Fivemiletown Creamery.
In 2011 Fivemiletown Creamery won 23 awards for their high quality dairy products, as well as an award for Northern Ireland Environmental Project of the Year 2011, at the UTV & Business Eye magazine awards.