European protected status a ‘game-changer' for Armagh Bramley apple growers
The pride of the Orchard County obtained the status in 2012 and since then has given its growers a 'real edge'.
Armagh Bramley apples growing at the orchards at Ardress in Co Armagh (Philip Magowan/PA)
Armagh traces its relationship with apples back to evidence of them growing close to the historic Navan Fort as far back as 1000 BC.
The real turning point came in 1884 when Henry Joseph Nicholson of Crannagael House returned from Nottingham with 60 Bramley seedlings.
They thrived in the local soil, laying the foundation for what is now more than 4,000 acres of thriving orchards across the region, and the county's nickname.
This legacy is celebrated at Armagh's annual food and cider weekend every September putting the Bramley in the spotlight.
Greg MacNeice, a fifth-generation apple grower and founder of Mac Ivors Cider, said while Bramley apples have always been a local favourite, PGI status boosted demand.
'The orchards have been here at Ardress since 1855 and my father, Sammy, still helps – just like his father did. Apples are part of who we are,' he said.
He explained that Armagh has got the right soil, the right slopes, a mild, damp climate and cooler temperatures that slow things down, adding that helps the apples develop 'that sharp flavour and firm texture people love'.
'It's not just the conditions though – it's the generations of knowledge, care and pride that go into every crop,' he said.
'PGI status has helped protect the heritage of our apple and given us a real edge in the market.
'If it's not grown in Armagh, it's not a true Armagh Bramley. That means consumers are guaranteed something authentic – fruit with a unique taste and texture you can't find anywhere else. It's also boosted demand – both at home and abroad – for a product that is trusted, traceable and rooted in place.
'It's one of only three products in Northern Ireland with PGI status and one of just a few across the island of Ireland. That's something we're incredibly proud of as a region.'
The apples also sparked a craft cider industry in Armagh.
Mr MacNeice said his family grow and press a blend of Armagh Bramley alongside bittersweet cider apples like Michelin, Dabinett and Harry Master's Jersey, as well as dessert apples such as Worcester Pearmain and Golden Delicious.
They have also started using foliar nutrition to feed their trees more precisely, keeping bees safe during blossom season, and are encouraging biodiversity by planting native trees and wildflowers throughout the orchards.
The Armagh Bramley apple continues to shape the landscape and identity of the region, offering visitors a unique lens through which to explore its agricultural heritage.
This year's food and cider weekend, including events from tastings and guided food trails to orchard tours, will take place from September 4 to 7.
A highlight of the weekend is an evening at Crannagael House, where local chefs from 4 Vicars create a menu paired with Mac Ivors cider and accompanied by insights from cider expert Gabe Cook.
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The Independent
19 hours ago
- The Independent
European protected status a ‘game-changer' for Armagh Bramley apple growers
Recognition with an elite European protected status has been a 'game-changer' for the Armagh Bramley apple, a grower of the speciality has said. Armagh Bramleys are one of just three products from Northern Ireland – along with Comber new potatoes and Lough Neagh eels – to be recognised by the European Union's protected geographical indications (PGI) scheme. It means that only Bramley apples grown, picked and packed within the Armagh area can carry that name, similar to how Champagne must come from the Champagne region of France, or Parma ham from Italy's Parma province. The pride of the Orchard County obtained the status in 2012 and since then has given its growers a 'real edge'. Armagh traces its relationship with apples back to evidence of them growing close to the historic Navan Fort as far back as 1000 BC. The real turning point came in 1884 when Henry Joseph Nicholson of Crannagael House returned from Nottingham with 60 Bramley seedlings. They thrived in the local soil, laying the foundation for what is now more than 4,000 acres of thriving orchards across the region, and the county's nickname. This legacy is celebrated at Armagh's annual food and cider weekend every September putting the Bramley in the spotlight. Greg MacNeice, a fifth-generation apple grower and founder of Mac Ivors Cider, said while Bramley apples have always been a local favourite, PGI status boosted demand. 'The orchards have been here at Ardress since 1855 and my father, Sammy, still helps – just like his father did. Apples are part of who we are,' he said. He explained that Armagh has got the right soil, the right slopes, a mild, damp climate and cooler temperatures that slow things down, adding that helps the apples develop 'that sharp flavour and firm texture people love'. 'It's not just the conditions though – it's the generations of knowledge, care and pride that go into every crop,' he said. 'PGI status has helped protect the heritage of our apple and given us a real edge in the market. 'If it's not grown in Armagh, it's not a true Armagh Bramley. That means consumers are guaranteed something authentic – fruit with a unique taste and texture you can't find anywhere else. It's also boosted demand – both at home and abroad – for a product that is trusted, traceable and rooted in place. 'It's one of only three products in Northern Ireland with PGI status and one of just a few across the island of Ireland. That's something we're incredibly proud of as a region.' The apples also sparked a craft cider industry in Armagh. Mr MacNeice said his family grow and press a blend of Armagh Bramley alongside bittersweet cider apples like Michelin, Dabinett and Harry Master's Jersey, as well as dessert apples such as Worcester Pearmain and Golden Delicious. They have also started using foliar nutrition to feed their trees more precisely, keeping bees safe during blossom season, and are encouraging biodiversity by planting native trees and wildflowers throughout the orchards. The Armagh Bramley apple continues to shape the landscape and identity of the region, offering visitors a unique lens through which to explore its agricultural heritage. This year's food and cider weekend, including events from tastings and guided food trails to orchard tours, will take place from September 4 to 7. A highlight of the weekend is an evening at Crannagael House, where local chefs from 4 Vicars create a menu paired with Mac Ivors cider and accompanied by insights from cider expert Gabe Cook.
The Herald Scotland
19 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
European protected status a ‘game-changer' for Armagh Bramley apple growers
It means that only Bramley apples grown, picked and packed within the Armagh area can carry that name, similar to how Champagne must come from the Champagne region of France, or Parma ham from Italy's Parma province. The pride of the Orchard County obtained the status in 2012 and since then has given its growers a 'real edge'. Armagh Bramley apples growing at the orchards at Ardress in Co Armagh (Philip Magowan/PA) Armagh traces its relationship with apples back to evidence of them growing close to the historic Navan Fort as far back as 1000 BC. The real turning point came in 1884 when Henry Joseph Nicholson of Crannagael House returned from Nottingham with 60 Bramley seedlings. They thrived in the local soil, laying the foundation for what is now more than 4,000 acres of thriving orchards across the region, and the county's nickname. This legacy is celebrated at Armagh's annual food and cider weekend every September putting the Bramley in the spotlight. Greg MacNeice, a fifth-generation apple grower and founder of Mac Ivors Cider, said while Bramley apples have always been a local favourite, PGI status boosted demand. 'The orchards have been here at Ardress since 1855 and my father, Sammy, still helps – just like his father did. Apples are part of who we are,' he said. He explained that Armagh has got the right soil, the right slopes, a mild, damp climate and cooler temperatures that slow things down, adding that helps the apples develop 'that sharp flavour and firm texture people love'. 'It's not just the conditions though – it's the generations of knowledge, care and pride that go into every crop,' he said. 'PGI status has helped protect the heritage of our apple and given us a real edge in the market. 'If it's not grown in Armagh, it's not a true Armagh Bramley. That means consumers are guaranteed something authentic – fruit with a unique taste and texture you can't find anywhere else. It's also boosted demand – both at home and abroad – for a product that is trusted, traceable and rooted in place. 'It's one of only three products in Northern Ireland with PGI status and one of just a few across the island of Ireland. That's something we're incredibly proud of as a region.' The apples also sparked a craft cider industry in Armagh. Mr MacNeice said his family grow and press a blend of Armagh Bramley alongside bittersweet cider apples like Michelin, Dabinett and Harry Master's Jersey, as well as dessert apples such as Worcester Pearmain and Golden Delicious. They have also started using foliar nutrition to feed their trees more precisely, keeping bees safe during blossom season, and are encouraging biodiversity by planting native trees and wildflowers throughout the orchards. The Armagh Bramley apple continues to shape the landscape and identity of the region, offering visitors a unique lens through which to explore its agricultural heritage. This year's food and cider weekend, including events from tastings and guided food trails to orchard tours, will take place from September 4 to 7. A highlight of the weekend is an evening at Crannagael House, where local chefs from 4 Vicars create a menu paired with Mac Ivors cider and accompanied by insights from cider expert Gabe Cook.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Abandoned UK village left to rot 1,000 years ago only accessible by hidden cave passage
Around 1,000 years ago, a village that can only be accessed through a hidden passage was left abandoned, and the mystery about what happened to its inhabitants has never been solved A group of miners working in Cornwall were itching to make a discovery of tin - the metal was a valuable resource, and the Cornish countryside was well known to be a rich source for this major industry at the time. But as they searched the countryside, hoping to get lucky, they would make an unexpected discovery. However, nearly 200 years ago, the miners, whilst digging, found something else entirely: an underground passageway. Also known as a stone fogou, this has only ever been found in West Cornwall, so the group of miners had stumbled across something incredibly significant, even if it wasn't what they were initially trying to find. 'I visited UK 'ghost village' frozen in time - eerie warning signs made me go cold' Haunting photos show UK theme parks abandoned and left to rot It wouldn't be for another 20 years, in the 1860s, when an antiquarian and Liberal politician, WC Borlase, decided to excavate the fogou further. Despite Borlase's interest becoming piqued, his investigations stuck to the fogou itself, and little did he know that beyond the underground hidden passageaway, were the remains of an entire village, which was last occupied centuries ago. It would take a further century for archaeologists to excavate far enough to find the rest of the remarkably well-preserved Iron Age village. When they did, they found remnants of stone houses, and circular drainage gullies and potholes that would have once been part of timber round houses - that are long gone. Dubbed Carn Euny, the village is the best preserved settlement from this era that has ever been discovered, with walls up to a metre high in some places being excavated in the ancient village in the South West. Artefacts and the types of timber round house buildings discovered during the dig indicate that this village was first built and occupied between 500BC and 400BC Later, these were replaced with stone houses during the first century BC, but Carn Euny was occupied for a long time, and throughout the centuries, its inhabitants continued to upgrade their homes. Between 200 and 400 AD, courtyard houses made from stone replaced the traditional round houses, and many of these ruins can still be explored today. The experts have deduced that the people who lived in this ancient village are likely to have kept some animals - like cattle, sheep and goats - and relied on growing oats and barley. Clear signs of field boundaries indicate this was something of a farming community in the 40 acres around the village - though it would have differed extensively from our modern conception of agriculture. The community would also have likely dealt in tin sourced from the local area - just as the miners who would later unearth this historic site would centuries later. Carn Euny was home to a thriving community throughout the Iron Age and Roman occupation, but the answer to why the village was one day abandoned has never been conclusively found. Towards the end of the Roman Empire's occupation, Carn Euny was left by its inhabitants in 400 AD - and they never returned. Carn Euny is an English Heritage site and for any history lovers, it is well worth exploring when you are visiting the South West of England.
