The Cheesepress Story

Hello, I’m Sinead,

Sinaed outside the Cheese Press

I opened the Cheese Press over three years ago. I made my start at various farmer’s markets, proudly selling only Irish farmhouse cheeses. One Christmas, I was headed to the Kinvara market, and found myself stuck in a powerful flood. I took shelter on the roof of my car. While I waited for the waters to recede, I thought of my two children, and realized that especially along the Wild Atlantic Way, I needed a sustainable, weather-proof job. I decided then to open a shop in Ennistymon, and instead of bringing cheese to markets, I’d let folks come to the Cheese Press. 

At first, everyone thought I was mad to open a cheese shop in such a small town. Having experience making St. Tola cheese meant I was more able to sell it. And Ennistymon quickly became a hot spot for food, community, and great coffee. We didn’t expect social time to be one of our greatest exports, but time and again, both locals and tourists returned to the shop not only for cheese, but incredible chats. They get their social fix and their food fix all in one. I lived on my own in India several years ago, and learned how crucial social connection is. We all need that. Providing a place for connection means the world to me. And the Cheese Press is now a universe unto itself.