✨ We're delighted to be featured in the latest edition of Louth Life Magazine — the lifestyle supplement of the Dundalk Democrat! ✨

Our feature titled The Tea Revival tells the story of how we started from the heart of rural county Louth on the family Farm. 

When Donal McEntee swapped a career in finance for a life in tea, it was more
than a change. Then Donal McEntee swapped a career in finance for a life in tea, it was more than a change of pace. Alongside his wife Helen, he turned a shared interest into a thriving family-run business that has made its mark far beyond their Charlestown family farm.

Donal grew up just outside Ardee, while Helen hails from the Isle of Man. Their respective
childhoods were steeped in tea traditions. Donal recalls the strong aroma of loose tea in his great uncle's Monaghan farm shop, while Helen's memories are rooted in her grand Parent's hotel where high tea was a staple. Tea was always in the background of their lives. What began as a hobby slowly became an obsession.

"When I got the chance to step away from finance, we decided to follow our interest in tea and see where it could take us," says Donal. That leap of faith led to the founding of McEntee'

Tea between five and eight years ago. Since then, the couple have been quietly but steadily bringing traditional Irish tea back into focus. From the start, they believed tea in Ireland had become a little too routine; the throw-a-bag-in-a-cup approach. "Coffee was getting the attention it deserved, and tea was being left behind. We wanted to change that."

Their teas are blended on site at their farm in Charlestown. "We're incredibly proud to be local," says Donal. "Selling, blending and packaging everything right here." McEntee's Tea is stocked in a number of local outlets, including The Brassil in Dundalk, and the couple are full of praise for the support they have received from the local business community. Boyne Valley Flavours also gets a nod for championing producers like them. "Every region could benefit from someone like that beating the drum."

Their blends use tea sourced from regions like Assam in India, Sri Lanka and Africa, chosen for their full flavour and suitability to the Irish palate. "We want our teas to be high quality but never exclusive. It's always been important to us that they're accessible to everyone."

Recognition came in the form of awards at the Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards, where their Irish Mint and Nettle Infusion took Gold, their Gold Blend won Silver, and their Irish Breakfast Blend earned Bronze "It was a proud moment," Donal says. "It gave us legitimacy and recognition for what we're doing."

As a micro business, growth has come with challenges. "Getting our message out can be slow and expensive," says Donal. "But the Irish diaspora has been really important. There are people all over the world who want a proper, strong cup of Irish tea." Online sales and Amazon have opened doors internationally, With customers now in the UK, Germany, America and across Europe.

Next up is the launch of their long-awaited biodegradable teabags, a project nearly a decade in the making. "It has taken us years of testing and research. We went to trade fairs all over and finally found what we needed at one in Paris. It's a huge milestone."

Sustainability is at the heart of this development. The tea goes through the CTC (cut, tear, curl) process, which gives it a rich, robust flavour. "Some bagged teas can be poor quality, so it was important to us that our bags did the tea justice. They'll come in foil-lined packs inside a box that doesn't need plastic wrapping but still protects the product."

From a quiet farm in Charlestown to kitchens across the globe, McEntee's Tea is proof that passion, patience and a proper brew can go a long way.

The issue also shines a light on some fantastic local voices and initiatives, including:

The Influencer @aoibhcarroll
the inspiring community work at @muirhevnamore_allotmentgarden
Printmaker Colleen Eilís Murphy sharing her creative journey at @creativesparkdundalk

Grab a copy and celebrate the brilliant talent and community spirit right here in Louth!