Ireland: dipped in chocolate

1. Butlers Experience, County Dublin

Do you love chocolate? We do. Deeply. Arguably the purveyors of the finest hot chocolate in Ireland, Butlers has been feeding us cocoa-flavoured happiness for a whopping 90 years now. For the secret to the smooth, silky, sweet (must stop drooling) wares, pop into the Butlers Chocolate Experience just 20 minutes from Dublin city centre. Not sure what a visit would entail? Have a look at their website for the lowdown on the tour experience and availability.

2. The Chocolate Manor

With a great location in Castlerock on the Northern Ireland coastline, The Chocolate Manor boasts hands-on visitor experiences and workshops guided by chief chocolatier Geri Martin. Expect plenty of luxurious hand-crafted treats to enjoy while you’re there, too, including chocolate truffles and lollipops. Looking for the perfect present? Why not try one of their Chocolate Postcard Bars, which can be customised with messages and your own design for a truly personalised gift.

3. Wilde Irish Chocolates, County Clare

Now with a factory based on the banks of the lovely Lough Derg, Wilde Irish Chocolates first started in the kitchen of Patricia and Con Farrell in 1997. Learn all about their humble beginnings and their journey to perfect the “bean to bar” process on the factory tour, while the tantalising smells of their yummy chocolates fill your nostrils… For an even sweeter treat, try the Taste & Make Experience where you can get your own bespoke handmade chocolate bar to take home. But, before leaving, you have to stop at the Hot Chocolate Café which has 8 different varieties of hot chocolate for you to sample.

4. The Chocolate Garden, County Carlow

Get your hands on a golden ticket á la Charlie Bucket and see the ins and outs of the chocolate-making process at The Chocolate Garden. From cocoa growing to the tricky business of moulding an Easter egg and nibbling on several grades of premium chocolate along the way, this experience will edge you ever closer to connoisseur status. You can create and decorate your own chocolate to savour at home, too. If you can wait that long…

Established in 2011 near the stunning Mourne Mountains, NearyNógs is Northern Ireland’s first bean to bar, craft chocolate makers. The emphasis here is on sustainability, with the factory having recently switched to solar power, as well as sourcing the most ethical cacao beans and supporting cacao farmers. You can book a Master Craft Chocolate Experience to see the full process of bean roasting, stone-grinding and tempering that turn these cacao beans into delicious NearyNógs chocolates, truffles, fudges and more. You can even find dairy-free, gluten-free and sugar-free options, so no one gets to miss out on the fun!

How to make your own Easter egg at home 

Ingredients:

1 medium-sized balloon (make sure the rubber is quite thick, or else the balloon might pop!)

Sticky tape

600g milk chocolate

400g white chocolate

Yellow food colouring

Small sweets of your choice

A few large white chocolate buttons to cover hole