Tucked away on Grey’s Lane, just off Green Street in the heart of Dingle Town, The Little Cheese Shop has become a favourite stop for visitors interested in Ireland’s artisan food culture. Small in size but filled with character, this independent specialist brings together carefully selected cheeses, local produce and thoughtfully chosen accompaniments.
It is the kind of shop that suits Dingle particularly well. Rather than offering mass-produced souvenirs, it introduces visitors to the farmers, cheesemakers and food producers whose work reflects Ireland’s landscape and agricultural traditions.
Whether you are preparing a picnic for the Slea Head Drive, searching for an edible gift or simply curious about Irish farmhouse cheese, The Little Cheese Shop offers a memorable taste of County Kerry.
A Celebration of Irish Artisan Cheese
Ireland has developed an international reputation for producing excellent farmhouse cheeses. The country’s mild climate, rich grassland and long dairy tradition provide the foundation, but the character of each cheese comes from the milk, landscape, production methods and decisions of the individual cheesemaker.
The Little Cheese Shop brings together cheeses from independent producers in Kerry and elsewhere in Ireland. The selection may change according to availability, maturity and season, but visitors can expect to encounter a mixture of:
- Mature cheddars
- Soft farmhouse cheeses
- Blue cheeses
- Goat’s cheeses
- Sheep’s milk cheeses
- Washed-rind cheeses
- Seasonal and limited-production varieties
The emphasis is on quality, provenance and craftsmanship. Rather than simply choosing by type, visitors can learn where a cheese was produced, what kind of milk was used and how its flavour developed.
This focus on provenance makes the shop a natural part of Dingle’s wider food story. The peninsula’s restaurants and specialist shops increasingly give visitors opportunities to understand where their food comes from rather than treating it as separate from the landscape.
The Story of The Little Cheese Shop
The Little Cheese Shop was established in 2011 and became closely associated with cheesemaker Maja Binder and the Dingle Peninsula Cheese range. Binder trained in cheesemaking in Switzerland before settling in Ireland and producing cheese on the northern side of the peninsula.
One of the best-known products connected with this story is Dilliskus, a cheese flavoured with locally gathered dillisk, an edible Atlantic seaweed. It is a good example of how traditional dairy production can be connected with the maritime landscape surrounding the peninsula.
The business was later taken over by chef Mark Murphy, who is also associated with the Dingle Cookery School. The shop has continued to focus on Irish cheese while offering a broader selection of speciality foods and carefully chosen continental products.
That background helps explain why the shop feels more like a knowledgeable food specialist than a conventional delicatessen. The products are chosen with an understanding of how they are made, how they should be served and what foods work well alongside them.
More Than a Cheese Counter
Cheese is the principal attraction, but the shop’s tightly packed shelves normally contain a much wider collection of speciality foods. Depending on current stock, visitors may find crackers, chutneys, preserves, honey, mustard, olives, oils, charcuterie and other picnic-friendly products.
Some items are made in County Kerry, while others come from independent Irish or carefully selected European producers. This combination allows visitors to build a complete picnic or assemble a gift centred on artisan food.
If you are travelling or flying home, ask for advice before purchasing softer cheeses or products that require refrigeration. The team can explain which varieties travel well and how they should be stored.
Friendly Advice and Personal Service
One of the shop’s greatest strengths is its personal service. An artisan cheese counter can initially seem complicated, particularly when the names and styles are unfamiliar, but you do not need to arrive with specialist knowledge.
Explain the flavours you normally enjoy and how you intend to serve the cheese. It helps to mention whether you prefer something mild, strong, creamy, crumbly, blue or washed-rind. The team can then recommend a selection suited to your taste.
You can also ask about the producer, the type of milk used and the character of the cheese. These conversations often reveal connections between food and place that would be difficult to discover from packaging alone.
For many visitors, this personal guidance becomes as memorable as the products themselves. It turns a quick purchase into a short introduction to Ireland’s changing food culture.
Perfect for a Dingle Peninsula Picnic
Many visitors stop at The Little Cheese Shop before leaving Dingle to explore the western peninsula. Cheese, bread, crackers and preserves are easy to carry and can create a simple picnic without taking too much time from the day.
Suitable picnic locations around the peninsula include:
- Ventry Beach
- Clogher Strand
- Coumeenoole Beach
- Dunmore Head
- The Blasket Islands viewpoints
- Clogher Head
Choose an established parking or picnic area rather than stopping on a narrow section of the coastal road. The Slea Head route passes through working farmland, so gateways and farm entrances must remain clear.
Atlantic conditions can also change quickly. Bring a waterproof layer and keep food securely packed, particularly at exposed viewpoints where wind can become stronger than it appeared in Dingle Town.
Choosing Cheese for a Picnic
For a straightforward picnic, I would choose two or three contrasting cheeses rather than buying too many similar varieties. A mature hard cheese, a softer cheese and something more distinctive provide enough variation without becoming difficult to manage.
Add fresh bread or crackers and one accompaniment such as chutney, honey or preserves. If the weather is warm, keep softer cheeses in an insulated bag and avoid leaving them in a parked vehicle for long periods.
Remember to bring a small knife, napkins and something for carrying your rubbish away. Many of the peninsula’s best viewpoints are natural or rural locations without bins or picnic facilities.
If you are unfamiliar with Irish cheese, ask the shop to prepare a balanced selection. This is generally more rewarding than choosing only by appearance or selecting the strongest cheese available.
Supporting Irish Food Producers
Shopping at The Little Cheese Shop supports a network of independent farmers, cheesemakers and food businesses. Many Irish farmhouse cheeses are made in relatively small quantities, using milk from the producer’s own herd or from farms within the surrounding region.
These businesses preserve practical knowledge that cannot be replicated easily through industrial production. The quality of the milk, seasonal changes in grazing, maturation conditions and decisions made by the cheesemaker all affect the finished product.
Artisan food production also helps visitors connect the food on their plate with the place they are visiting. On the Dingle Peninsula, dairy farming, fishing, breadmaking, distilling and small-scale food production remain visible parts of the local economy.
The wider Dingle food guide explores this connection through seafood, farmhouse produce, traditional dishes and independent local businesses.
Easy to Find in Dingle Town
The Little Cheese Shop is located on Grey’s Lane, just off Green Street in central Dingle. It is opposite the library and within easy walking distance of the harbour, marina and the town’s principal shopping streets.
Its central location makes it easy to include during a walk around town. You do not need to make a separate driving journey once you have found suitable parking in or around the centre.
Opening days and hours can change during the year, so check the official Little Cheese Shop website or its current social channels before making a journey specifically to visit. This is particularly important outside the main visitor season.
Exploring Green Street and Central Dingle
Green Street is one of the most interesting parts of Dingle for independent food, craft and cultural experiences. The area contains specialist shops, galleries and places connected with the town’s religious and social history.
Nearby St Mary’s Church contains the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, known for its Harry Clarke stained-glass windows. St James’ Church, a short walk away, is closely associated with Dingle’s music and community events.
From Green Street, it is an easy walk downhill towards the waterfront. The harbour area reveals another side of the town’s identity, shaped by fishing, maritime trade and its relationship with Dingle Bay.
Visitors who want a wider introduction to local attractions can use the guide to things to do in Dingle when planning the remainder of the day.
Nearby Places to Visit
After visiting The Little Cheese Shop, several Dingle experiences can be reached on foot or with a short drive. Around the town centre, you can explore the harbour, marina, independent shops, traditional pubs and cafés.
Dingle Distillery lies a short distance west of the centre and introduces visitors to locally produced whiskey, gin and vodka. Tours and availability can vary, so advance booking is advisable if the distillery is an important part of your plans.
For coffee, the guide to Bean in Dingle introduces one of the town’s independent cafés. Visitors interested in seafood can also explore places such as Out of the Blue or Solas Tapas and Wine, depending on current opening arrangements and availability.
For something sweet, Murphy’s Ice Cream is another local food business that began in Dingle and has become closely associated with the town.
Many visitors combine a morning in town with an afternoon around Slea Head. If you are working with limited time, the guide to a perfect day on the Dingle Peninsula will help you balance food, history and coastal scenery.
My Local Tip
If you plan to explore Slea Head, visit The Little Cheese Shop before leaving Dingle Town. Pick up a small selection of contrasting cheeses, bread or crackers and one local accompaniment rather than trying to carry an elaborate meal.
Ventry Beach works well for an early stop, while Clogher Strand can suit visitors continuing around the northern side of the peninsula. At exposed coastal viewpoints, remain aware of wind, traffic and soft roadside ground before settling down with food.
I would also ask the team to include at least one cheese made in Kerry or connected with the Dingle Peninsula. It adds a sense of place to the picnic and gives you a story to remember alongside the flavour.
Continue Exploring Dingle’s Food Scene
The Little Cheese Shop is one part of Dingle’s thriving independent food culture. Seafood from the Atlantic, produce from surrounding farms, artisan bread, cheese, spirits and small cafés all contribute to the town’s reputation as a food destination.
Continue with the guides to Dingle Town, Dingle Distillery, Murphy’s Ice Cream and the traditional pubs of Dingle. Together, these independent businesses reveal how food, hospitality and local culture remain closely connected.
If you are continuing beyond the town, follow the Slea Head Drive towards Ventry, Fahan, Coumeenoole and Dunquin Pier. A picnic prepared in Dingle can become part of a much wider day exploring the archaeology and Atlantic landscapes of the western peninsula.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Little Cheese Shop Dingle
What is The Little Cheese Shop known for?
The Little Cheese Shop specialises in Irish farmhouse cheese and carefully selected speciality foods. Its knowledgeable service and focus on independent producers are central to the experience.
Where is The Little Cheese Shop?
The shop is on Grey’s Lane, just off Green Street in the centre of Dingle Town. It is opposite the library and within walking distance of the harbour and marina.
Is it worth visiting if I am not a cheese expert?
Yes. You do not need specialist knowledge, as the team can recommend cheeses based on the flavours and textures you normally enjoy.
Can I buy food for a picnic?
Yes. Cheese, crackers, preserves and other accompaniments make the shop a useful stop before driving around the Dingle Peninsula. Available products can vary according to current stock.
Does the shop sell only Irish cheese?
Irish farmhouse cheese is a central focus, but the shop may also carry selected continental cheeses and other speciality foods. Ask about the current Irish and Kerry-produced options when visiting.
Should I check the opening hours?
Yes. Opening days and hours may change seasonally. Check the shop’s official website or current social channels before travelling specifically to visit.
What else can I visit nearby?
Dingle Harbour, the marina, St Mary’s Church, St James’ Church, Dingle Distillery, independent cafés, galleries and traditional pubs are all nearby or within a short drive.
