Here's three names to look out for:

Ballycross Apple Farm If you've ever squeezed your own apple juice you'll know how superior it is to commercial juice made from concentrate. Those low on juicing time should get acquainted with Ballycross Apple Farm's delicious artisan drinks, which use hand-picked apples from their Wexford orchards.

Pressed using traditional rack and cloth methods, they specialise in single variety apple juices: Elstar is sweet and aromatic;

Jonagold is crisp mediumsweet while Bramley produces a dry zesty juice.

Free from sugar, water or preservatives, they can be found in speciality foods shops, Petitts and farmers markets. Call 053 35160 for your nearest stockist.

Glenilen Farm Glenilen Farm in Drimoleague, Co Cork, produces delicious artisan dairy products. Their clotted cream, in pretty glass jars, is rich and creamy and can be found at afternoon tea in The Four Seasons hotel.

But it's their farmhouse butter I'm most impressed with. Made in a traditionalstyle churn from sweet cream, it's slightly salted to create a magical flavour.

Serious butter devotees may know that it's harder to make butter in the winter, due to the cows' diet.

However, this spring Glenilen plans to make real farmhouse butter where the cream is left to sour naturally, just like the olden days. This artisan treasure will just be made to order.

Look out for Glenilen's cheesecakes, fromage frais, cream, yoghurt and butter in selected Superquinn, Dunnes Stores and SuperValus as well as Donnybrook Fair, Nolan's, and Avoca Handweavers.

Tel: 028 31179;

www. glenilen. com.

Brady Family Hams What started as a family business 20 years ago in Ossie and Mary Brady's kitchen is today a successful company producing a range of exceptionally succulent and flavoursome Irish hams. Think whole pale hams, some on the bone, some off, naturally smoked with Irish oak. Each piece is steamed for eight. . .12 hours and while its rind is removed, a layer of fat is left on to preserve the natural texture and flavour.

The traditional, gourmet range includes whole baked hams, glazed hams, thicklycarved hams and vacuumpacked ham hocks, all wonderfully firm and traditional in texture. Brady Family Hams are widely available in supermarkets and independent food stores.

www. bradyham. com.