As children, many of us waited eagerly for Lent to be over so that we could dive right into our Easter eggs. As adults, we still want to feel the joy of chocolate over the Easter period. The good news is that the creativity of Irish chocolatiers has never been stronger. We have rounded up the best of the best, ranging from indulgent eggs to gluten-free goods and some very cute hens.
NearyNógs
The Neary family became Northern Ireland’s first bean-to-bar chocolate maker when they established NearyNógs in 2011. Since then they have earned numerous awards for their chocolate, which is made from traceable and ethically sourced cacao. The beans undergo minimal processing in the solar powered factory in Co Down, which also hosts immersive tours and tastings. This year’s floral Easter egg is made from 60 per cent Ecuador Hacienda Limon and the recyclable packaging is inspired by the cacao pod itself. For something smaller, try the mini rabbits which are filled with vegan sea salt caramel. nearynogs.com
Grá Chocolates
Galway chef Gráinne Mullins started her luxury chocolate business in a small shed during the pandemic. Last year she was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list of notable people. Her passion and attention to detail shows in all her work, but most especially in her Easter eggs which take three days to handcraft from start to finish. And this year, for the first time, Grá Easter eggs are available to send to loved ones in the United States. grachocolates.com
Ashford Castle
If you are out to impress, then the exclusive annual Easter egg from Paula Stakelum is surely on the list. Stakelum is executive director of chocolate and patisserie at Red Carnation Hotels, which owns Ashford Castle. Her 2024 egg is made from the estate’s signature Valhrona Legend 55 per cent chocolate and housed in an elegant dark green presentation box. The glossy exterior is decorated with a replica of brass shutter knobs from the castle. Be warned though, these eggs are only available for purchase from Mrs Tea’s Boutique on the Ashford Castle estate. ashfordcastle.com
Bon Chocolatiers
Georgia Quealy and Daniel Linehan are the driving force behind Bon Chocolatiers. Their indulgent hand-painted large Easter eggs and richly filled mini eggs, particularly the award-winning Nuts About Caramel mini egg which uses single origin peanut butter from Nutshed, lasted no time in our house last year. This year sees the launch of Tiny Eggs, or bite-sized eggs in Nutty Whip or Golden Crunch flavours. Look out for their special Easter egg for Fallon & Byrne in Dublin, as well as their products for the Dunnes Stores Simply Better range. bonchocolatiers.ie
Cocoa Atelier
Although Cocoa Atelier no longer sells direct to the public, the luxury range continues to be available through selected retailers. Cork woman Maria Maher is head chocolatier, overseeing production for the Irish wholesale and retail markets. Using chocolate sourced from Chocolaterie de l’Opera and Luker Chocolate, the 2024 Easter range is a celebration of chocolate from Colombia, Peru and Madagascar. Each egg comes with tasting notes, a hot chocolate recipe and a tray of luxury confectionery. Coca Atelier is available in Avoca stores, Fallon & Byrne in Dublin and Cafe Rua in Castlebar. cocoaatelier.ie
Hazel Mountain Chocolate
A small batch, bean-to-bar producer in the Burren, Hazel Mountain Chocolate is dedicated to fostering direct relationships with cocoa bean farmers. Visitors to the open plan factory with its Scandinavian style grass roof can get up close and personal with the chocolate making process. In addition to classic eggs, this year sees some fun new items such as orange carrots filled with crunchy hazelnut caramel, a chick filled with peach Prosecco ganache and the cutest hens, Henrik and Henrietta. Vegan Easter items are also available. hazelmountainchocolate.com
Clo Chocolates
Frenchwoman Clothilde Rambaud and husband Tomasz have made Sligo their home and where they own Le Fournil Bakery. Rambaud draws on her extensive experience, including the Michelin two-star La Table de Joel Robuchon in Paris, when creating her affordable and tempting chocolates. Over the years she has collected numerous accolades including Best in Sligo from Blas na hÉireann in 2021. Her very affordable Easter range features an incredibly cute sheep, a bunny filled with her signature caramel and home-made marshmallow, as well as a selection of classic Easter eggs. clochocolates.ie
Braw
Having spent time as head chocolatier at Cocoa Atelier, then as a pastry chef at Adare Manor, Anna Coffey Lynch founded Braw in 2020 when she found herself out of work due to the pandemic. Her amazing brownies became the basis of an entire business producing baked goods, handmade chocolates and her signature caramel sauce. She uses Luker chocolate and all the packaging is biodegradable or recyclable. For Easter, look out for Bren the Bear with his Biscoff rocky road centre or The Golden Rabbit, with a white chocolate and hazelnut filling. brawchocolate.com
Bean and Goose
Sisters Karen and Natalie Keane produce a range of fine ethical chocolate bars and goods from their base in Gorey. The highly popular Bean and Goose chocolate bar subscription service gives loyal customers to chance to enjoy new flavours, while large chocolate slabs designed for smashing and sharing make memorable gifts. Their hare and goose figures, a tribute to Irish wildlife, return for Easter this year, available in both milk and dark chocolate. There is also a decadent sea salt caramel-filled goose egg with a special limited edition smoke milk and sumac caramel filling. beanandgoose.ie
Temptation
Twins Kate and Ruth O’Hara are self-taught chocolatiers who make extremely indulgent hand-painted triple-layer Easter eggs with a range of flavours including sea salt caramel; hazelnut and almond praline; banoffee; and dark chocolate salted pistachio, all with hand-rolled truffles hidden inside. Chocolate lovers can stop by their Abbeyleix patisserie on weekends to buy goodies exclusive to the boutique, and try one of their 14 hot chocolate varieties. temptationpatisserie.ie
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Tara Gartlan
A former Michelin star restaurant pastry chef, Tara Gartlan is also a coeliac. As a result, her handmade range of chocolates and baked items are 100 per cent gluten free, and also 100 per cent delicious. Having left Dublin behind, she handmakes all items in her hometown of Carrickmacross. This year she will have two giant luxury eggs available and is shipping nationwide for the first time. Customers can choose from milk chocolate hazelnut rocher or dark chocolate passion fruit caramel eggs, both filled with matching truffles. taragartlan.com
