How do I choose a cidery in Ireland?

Key facts

• Live count. The catalogue lists 10 cider makers in Ireland and 4 in County Armagh, Northern Ireland (as of 2026-10-02).
• Irish tax bands. Alcohol Products Tax on cider and perry rises with strength: €47.23 per hectolitre up to 2.8%, €94.46 over 2.8% up to 6%, €218.44 over 6% up to 8.5%, and higher rates above that. [1]
• Small producers. A relief for cider and perry made by qualifying small producers has been available since 1 January 2023. [2]

Where are Ireland's cider makers?

• Leinster. Half of the catalogue's Irish makers are in the east, in Carlow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Louth and Meath.
• Munster. The other half are in the south, in Cork, Tipperary and Waterford.
• County Armagh. Across the border in Northern Ireland, Armagh is home to the protected Armagh Bramley Apples. [3] Cider made there follows UK rather than Irish tax rules. These areas follow where makers appear in the Cider Radar catalogue; there is no official list of Irish cider regions.

Which cider makers are listed in Ireland?

Eight to start with: seven of the ten Irish makers in the catalogue, spread across counties, and one from Armagh, alphabetical within each area. They are examples, not a ranking, and the catalogue pages list the rest.

• Leinster: Dan Kelly's Cider (Drogheda, Co. Louth), Highbank Orchards (Co. Kilkenny), Llewellyns Orchard (Fingal, Co. Dublin), The Cider Mill Slane (Co. Meath)
• Munster: Killahora Orchards (Co. Cork), Longways Cider Company (Co. Waterford), Stonewell Cider (Carrigaline, Co. Cork)
• County Armagh: Mac Ivors Cider (Armagh)

How does strength affect Irish cider?

Irish tax on cider changes at 2.8%, 6% and 8.5% ABV, so the band a cider falls into depends on its strength. [1] Small makers may qualify for the producer relief, which lowers the tax they pay; Revenue says Budget 2025 extended it to cider and perry above 8.5% and to other fermented beverages from 1 March 2025. [2] Strength is printed on every label, so it is an easy first filter.

What should I look for in an Irish cidery?

1. Big brand or craft. The ciders sold in every pub come from large companies; see best cider brands. Small makers sell from their own shops, markets and websites.
2. Apples. Some press dessert and cooking apples such as Bramley, others tannic cider apples; a single-varietal cider names one apple.
3. Fresh juice. If you want cider pressed from fresh juice rather than concentrate, what real cider is lists the label clues.
4. Ratings. See what other drinkers thought on Cider Radar. Nearby cider countries are covered in how to choose a cidery in Wales and where to buy craft cider in the UK.

Related answers: how to choose a cidery in Wales · which countries make cider

Find it on Cider Radar

• Cider makers in Ireland: 10 makers listed (as of 2026-10-02). Also County Armagh (4), as of 2026-10-02.
• Guide: where to buy cider · Glossary: single-varietal
• You can order directly from the maker in Cider Radar (iOS, Android and web).
• Open the map: app.ciderradar.com · iPhone · Android

Dates in this answer were checked on 3 October 2026 and are due for review by January 2027.

Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.