The Story Behind Templegall
Hegarty’s Cheddar has been a family-run dairy farm in Whitechurch, County Cork, for generations, producing some of Ireland’s finest cheddars using raw milk from their own herd. But cheesemaker Dan Hegarty had a bigger vision—he wanted to create something bold, complex, and entirely unique within Ireland’s cheese scene.
To achieve this, he turned to an exceptional French cheesemaker, Jean-Baptiste Enjelvin—or JB, as he’s affectionately known.
Bringing French Expertise to Irish Cheese
JB grew up in the Jura region of France, synonymous with Comté, honing his craft in traditional Alpine cheesemaking techniques. After spending time travelling across Ireland, learning about Irish cheese and its rich heritage, he joined Hegarty’s as head cheesemaker, eager to blend his expertise with Ireland’s outstanding raw milk.
The result? Templegall—Ireland’s very own raw milk, Alpine-style cheese, named after the French monks who introduced cheesemaking to Ireland centuries ago.
The Making of Templegall
Templegall is crafted with precision and patience, following time-honoured French cheesemaking techniques:
✅ Made from raw cow’s milk sourced directly from Hegarty’s own herd, ensuring full traceability and quality
✅ Cooked and pressed into large wheels, like Comté or Gruyère, making it Ireland’s heaviest cheese at approximately 42kg per wheel!
✅ Aged for a minimum of 9 months, developing deep, nutty, and savoury flavours
✅ Regularly brushed and turned, allowing the rind to mature naturally and add complexity
While Comté is traditionally made using milk from Montbéliarde or Red cows, JB has crafted a cheese that stays true to the Alpine techniques, but using the fresh raw milk from Hegarty’s Holstein Friesian herd—giving Templegall a unique Irish terroir.
Tasting Notes
🧀 Firm yet supple texture, perfect for slicing or grating
🌰 Sweet, nutty flavours, reminiscent of hazelnuts and toasted butter
🧂 Aged for complexity, developing deep umami and caramelised notes
🔥 Slightly crystalline crunch, thanks to the natural formation of tyrosine crystals
🧀 Long, savoury finish, leaving you craving another bite
Templegall strikes a beautiful balance between sweetness, salt, and nuttiness. It’s equally at home on a cheeseboard or melted into an incredible dish—such as an Irish take on Tartiflette!
Perfect Pairings for Templegall from Indie Füde
Local Drinks & Templegall
🍏🥃 Irish Apple Rum from Symphonia Spirits – The warm, fruity notes of apple rum enhance the cheese’s caramelised nuttiness. Calvados is a classic pairing with comte – so here’s a totally local twist on the well enjoyed combo.
🍻 Irish Red Ale from Heaney Brewery – Rich, full bodied and malty. A pleasingly bitter ale with a touch of caramel sweetness that echoes through to the Templegall.
Local Food & Templegall
🥖 Cranberry & Hazelnut Toasts from Fields of Athenry – Afruity, crisp base that lets Templegall shine.
🩵 Indie Füde Beer Mustard – Mustard and cheese doesnt get enough love. This is a great one to try.
🥓 Fennel Salami from Corndale Farm – A match made in heaven for those holiday moments at home.
Serving Suggestions & Recipe Ideas
💡 The ultimate Irish cheeseboard – Pair Templegall with Irish blue and soft cheeses.
🧀 Grate over pasta or risotto, or as Laura did this pancake day – a pancake! – Its nutty, umami-laden flavour melts beautifully.
🥪 Melt into a toasted sandwich – Think grown-up grilled cheese with caramelised onions.
🥔 Shave over crispy roasted potatoes – Because cheese + potatoes = perfection.
🍲 Stir into a creamy soup – Adds richness and depth to cauliflower or onion soup.
Templegall in Our Cheese Hampers
Templegall is featured in our Irish Cheese Hampers, carefully curated to showcase the best of Irish artisan cheesemaking. A perfect gift for any cheese lover!
Where to Buy Templegall
🛍 Visit our Indie Füde shops in Comber or Ormeau Road to taste and purchase Templegall.
📦 Order online through our cheese selection
✨ Templegall is proof that Irish cheesemaking is reaching new heights—deeply flavourful, beautifully aged, and utterly unforgettable. ✨