Laois woman sweetens Offaly with raspberry jam

Mairéad Heavey (nee O'Connor) with husband Ronan with their daughters at their Rhode restaurant The Bogs Dollops.

placeholder image — Mairéad Heavey (nee O'Connor) with husband Ronan with their daughters at their Rhode restaurant The Bogs Dollops.

Ballyroan native's jam recipe set to bear fruit at Blas na hÉireann Awards

A Laois woman who has made her home in Offaly is in line for a prestigious national food award for a jam that has proved a hit with her local customers in Rhode and now further afield.

The Bogs Dollops, a family-run bakery and coffee shop in the north Offaly town, has been named a finalist in the prestigious Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards for its handcrafted raspberry jam.

It's a remarkable achievement for a business opened in 2024 by husband-and-wife team Ronan and Mairéad Heavey (nee O'Connor). The bakery was rescued from dereliction, with no outside investment. With determination, creativity, and the support of local tradespeople, the couple transformed it into a thriving hub at the heart of their community. All of this was achieved while Mairead, a Ballyroan woman, was on maternity leave.

A statement from the Blas na hÉireann organisers to the Leinster Express / Laois Live said that their raspberry jam is praised for its flavour and authenticity which reflects their ethos of taking simple, traditional recipes and perfecting them with care.

It follows a string of accolades already earned for their scones and their award-winning brown bread — made from Mairéad’s mother’s recipe — as well as recognition as Irish Restaurant Innovators of the Year.

Coming from a strong farming background in Laois, Mairéad highlights the deep connection between land, food and family.

“Farmers are the foundation of Ireland’s food story. The beauty of both food and family — and the importance of these marrying — is at the heart of our ethos. We built this for our little girls, to show them that anything is possible, but also to never forget your roots — we all came from the land, and we would be nothing without it. Ireland is one of the richest lands in the world; it bears the very best fruit. Our family business is proud to showcase that. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Mairéad pictured at the Tullamore Show.

"To be recognised on a national stage by Blas na hÉireann is a dream come true. Our raspberry jam began as something I made for our family and then for our community. To see it celebrated at this level shows the power of keeping things simple, honest, and made with excellent farm ingredients," she said.

Blas na hÉireann (The Irish Food Awards), based in Dingle, Co. Kerry, is Ireland’s largest food awards, celebrating the very best of Irish produce and recognising innovation, quality, and taste.