While Ireland has long been known for its dairy (e.g., Kerrygold brand, 18,500 family owned dairy farms), the popularity of frozen yogurt in Ireland has grown but not to the same extent as in other European countries like Spain. It’s notable that while Ireland is 10th in the world for dairy exports, the best performing products were butter, cheese, infant formula and cream. Irish yogurt is not on that list. Although “the UK frozen yogurt market had a 29% compound growth rate from 2011 – 2014 and this continues to grow,” we’ve seen most of the growth in England, particularly the London area.
The first frozen yogurt shop to open in Ireland was Yogen Fruz, which opened in Belfast in 2010. Yogen Fruz was also the first to open in Dublin, in May 2011. Both locations have since closed.
The first Irish owned independent frozen yogurt shop to open was Yogism, which opened in early 2012 in Dublin at George’s Street Arcade. The founder was inspired by his time spent living in New York City. Yogism offered self-serve, all-natural frozen yogurt in a stylish setting. It later added breakfast offerings like protein pancakes, chia pudding and coffee. They also opened another outlet, on Dawson St. in Dublin.
The growth of frozen yogurt centered around Dublin first with Yogism, Mooch, and POG Café. Interestingly, all three players offer protein pancakes with frozen yogurt. Protein seems popular as they also offer protein balls, protein bars, and protein cookies. Mooch, which is not self-serve, was also inspired by NYC froyo and they just opened another location in Dundrum.
Recently a number of shops have opened in Belfast. Belfast froyo shops include Yolo, Yoggieberrie, Spoon Street and Yogland. Yogland got its start in England and it’s the first English froyo player to set up shop in Ireland.
Hunky Moo’s opened in Galway in September 2015. Hunky Moo’s has a decidedly masculine weightlifting bent and they carry protein shakes.
Chilly Moo is the only frozen yogurt made for children and is sold in tubs at local supermarkets. Froberry was a local brand of whipped, guilt free frozen yogurt sold in supermarkets. In 2013, Froberry opened a cafe in Dublin at the Blackrock Centre. The shop has closed.
The Irish froyo shops appeal to a younger crowd that’s health conscious and looking for high protein snacks. Bubble tea doesn’t seem as popular in Ireland; the first bubble tea place opened in 2012 and there are more froyo shops than bubble tea shops.
A friend of ours recently traveled to Ireland and shared her froyo pics with us. Check out our new Pinterest board, Frozen yogurt shops in Ireland. We have over 130 pictures of froyo shops in Ireland.
