There’s something special about Irish tea. For generations, a cup of tea has been part of everyday life in Ireland — a welcome for visitors, a comfort after a long day and a reason to sit down and have a chat.

At McEntee’s Tea, we’re fortunate to have customers who have been enjoying our Irish loose leaf tea for many years. Some have been with us for more than a decade, and every so often, a customer shares a story that reminds us just how much tea means to people.

Recently, Father Kelly got in touch to share his own tea journey with us.

And it perfectly captures the enduring connection between the Irish and their tea.

From Lyons Tea to Loose Leaf Tea

Father Kelly grew up in Ireland in the 1950s, when Lyons Green Label and Red Label were familiar names in Irish households.

As he recalls:

“I grew up in the 50s on Lyons green label, red label and sometimes a posh delve into Lipton.”

Tea was part of everyday Irish life. The teapot was always close at hand, and a cup of tea was rarely just a drink — it was part of the occasion.

Studies and work eventually took Father Kelly to Yorkshire, where he has remained ever since. But over the years, he felt that the quality of the tea he was drinking had changed.

As he puts it, he found himself being subjected to “cheap supermarket bags”.

Then, during retirement, he discovered McEntee’s Tea.

He ordered some of our Irish loose leaf tea along with a Dublin Teapot, and rediscovered the pleasure of making tea with loose leaves and a proper teapot.

Why Irish Loose Leaf Tea Still Matters

While Father Kelly was kind enough to enjoy our tea, he didn't actually contact us to tell us about its quality.

Instead, he wanted to tell us about something else that stood out to him: customer service.

And this is the part of his story that really made us smile.

The Strainer That Went in the Bin!

After enjoying his Dublin Teapot, Father Kelly made an understandable mistake.

When clearing away his used tea leaves, he accidentally threw away the strainer along with them!

He contacted us, hoping that he might be able to purchase a replacement.

Instead, we sent him a new strainer — complimentary.

As Father Kelly said:

“Don’t find that level of service too often these days.”

For us, sending a replacement strainer was a small gesture. But his message reminded us that good customer service still matters.

At McEntee’s Tea, we want customers to know that there are real people behind the business. Whether you're ordering a packet of loose leaf tea, a Dublin Teapot or simply looking for help with something you've purchased from us, we're always happy to help.

The Irish Connection with Tea

Father Kelly finished his message with a thought that particularly resonated with us:

“Musing on all of this I think McEntee family really get the connection the Irish have with their tea.”

We think he has captured something very important.

Tea is deeply woven into Irish tea traditions.

It is the cup offered to a neighbour who calls to the door. It is the pot put on when family arrives. It is sitting around the kitchen table talking about the day. It is a comforting cup after coming in from the rain. 

And for many people, the taste and ritual of traditional Irish tea bring back memories of home. The heart of every Irish home is the whistling of a kettle.

That connection is one of the reasons we started McEntee’s Tea.

Blending Irish Tea for a New Generation

At McEntee’s Tea, we specialise in loose leaf tea in Ireland, creating blends inspired by the strong, full-bodied cups of tea that generations of Irish tea drinkers have enjoyed.

Our Irish Breakfast Blend combines carefully selected teas to create the kind of robust, satisfying cup that works beautifully in a traditional teapot.

We also offer Irish Afternoon Blend, Gold Blend and a selection of herbal and green teas, along with teapots, strainers and other tea accessories.

For us, it's about respecting the tradition while making great Irish tea available to today's tea drinkers — whether you're in Ireland or enjoying a taste of Ireland elsewhere in the world.

Thank You, Father Kelly

Father Kelly's story is a wonderful reminder that tea is about more than what's in the cup.

It's about memories.

It's about tradition.

It's about hospitality.

And it's about connection.

We are incredibly grateful to all the customers who have supported McEntee’s Tea over the years, particularly those who have been enjoying our tea for 10 years or more.

Your stories, messages and continued support mean a great deal to our family business.

So, Father Kelly, thank you for sharing your story with us — and thank you for reminding us why we do what we do.

Because at McEntee’s Tea, we believe that a good cup of Irish tea is never just a cup of tea.

It is a little taste of home.

Discover McEntee’s Tea and our range of Irish loose leaf teas, traditional Irish tea blends, teapots and tea accessories.