OK so we have been absolute rubbish at blogging in 2018, and I know you were all so worried about us here at Mac Ivors Cider, but not to fear!! We are BACK!!

Sarah will try our best to keep you up to date with everything 2019 has to offer but now let’s take a quick look back on 2018. We were actually pretty busy, believe it or not….

#Throwback

2018 saw another fantastic year for Mac Ivors Cider. Sarah was out spreading the word the length and breadth of Ireland, trying to get our delicious Orchard County cider into a local near you. We have spread our wings further too, with the German hypermarket chain Kaufland taking in all three Gold medal winning ciders across 600 stores. Mac Ivors Cider also became available for the first time in Abu Dhabi.

Back in Armagh, our 4,000 newly planted heirloom cider apple trees are taking root and doing very nicely. We even got some apples off them in October 2018! These Dabinett, Michelin and Harry Master’s Jersey varieties are going to quench your thirst over the next five or 10 years.

Awards were coming our way too in 2018… Greg and Sarah were delighted to get Silver in the Dublin Cider Cup at the fantastic AllTech Brews and Food festival in March. Then in October, Sarah headed down to Kerry for the absolutely superb Dingle Food Festival in October and came home with Gold and Silver trophies for our Medium and Plum & Ginger ciders in the prestigious Blás na hÉireann awards.

We had our fair share of festivals and events on too throughout 2018 – it wasn’t all hard work!

Greg represented us at ProWien 2018 in Dusseldorf, then despite the weather we had Belfeast (see what they did there).  But the weather was about to change, as we all lovingly remember – what a summer, a true CIDER summer! The sun was beaming and the pints flowing at Taste of Dublin in the Iveagh gardens. For the first, and definitely not the last time, we had a stand at the Irish Games Fair at Shane’s Castle – a thirsty bunch in July!! Mondial de la Biére was another cracker in Paris.

In July we all let loose at one of our favourites – Hagstravaganza….our mates over at White Hag in Ballymote really know how to throw a birthday party! August saw us at another fave, Big Grill festival in Herbert Park. This is an absolute must for anyone who hasn’t been, Ciders, Beers, BBQ and (mostly) sun – incredible!!

Back at home then we had the Armagh Food & Cider festival, with the delightful CrannaGael house hosting a “wine vs. cider & pintxos” night. BBQ nights with Dino at Molly’s Mill. Rain didn’t stop us at the Richhill Apple Fayre. And of course, we couldn’t forget our lovely National Trust neighbours at Ardress House and the Argory, who run family friendly events all year round, showing off what Armagh has to offer.

On top of all that, Greg was busy doing what he does best…making the best tasting Irish cider. A fantastic summer gave us a bumper crop and we have just finished pressing the last of the apples. Some of you may have had the chance to taste our new endeavour – Pedro’s trip – a delicious dry hopped cider. You may get your hands on this at a festival or 2 this year.

Plenty more going on at Mac Ivors too, but it’s top secret! You’ll just have to find out here in 2019….if we ever get around to writing again!