Somerdale Puts Irish Cheese in the Spotlight for St. Patrick’s Day

Somerdale Puts Irish Cheese in the Spotlight for St. Patrick’s Day

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, Irish cheese is stepping into the spotlight—and import specialist Somerdale International is expecting a big season. The company’s lineup of eye-catching Irish cheeses is already landing in deli cases and specialty shops across the United States, giving retailers plenty of festive fuel for March cheeseboards.

Once a holiday largely celebrated by Irish American communities, St. Patrick’s Day has become a nationwide event. According to the National Retail Federation, about 61% of Americans joined the festivities last year, collectively spending around $7 billion on food, drinks, and celebrations. A significant portion of that happens at home—roughly 30% of celebrants host a dinner, while another 11% throw gatherings with family and friends—making specialty foods like cheese an easy win for entertaining spreads.

At the center of Somerdale’s offering is its Claddagh Bó collection, a range of Irish farmhouse cheddars wrapped in bold tricolor wax that practically begs to be the centerpiece of a holiday cheeseboard. Made with milk from grass-fed cows, the lineup includes a 12-month aged Irish cheddar with a deep, savory bite, a cheddar infused with authentic Irish porter for malty richness, and a smooth Irish whiskey cheddar that brings a gentle whiskey warmth to the classic style. Each variety is available both as deli-size wheels and smaller retail portions, making them just as appealing behind the counter as they are on a party platter.

Another standout: shamrock-shaped cheddar truckles that debuted last year and quickly caught shoppers’ attention. The cheese itself is the same aged Irish cheddar, carefully graded for flavor and texture before being cut into a distinctive shamrock form and coated in bright green wax. The result is playful, photogenic, and tailor-made for March celebrations.

The Claddagh Bó name draws inspiration from Gaelic heritage—the Claddagh symbol representing love, friendship, and loyalty, while “Bó” translates to cow—an appropriate nod to Ireland’s dairy traditions. The brand leans into that heritage while pairing it with vibrant packaging designed to pop in retail displays.

And the Irish cheese story isn’t stopping when the green decorations come down. Somerdale is expanding its year-round Irish lineup as well, adding the celebrated blue cheese Cashel Blue—often called Ireland’s original “Queen of the Blues”—to its U.S. range starting in April.

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