Mark a food scientist along with co-founder microbiologist Dr Lucy Deegan founded Ballyhoura Mountain Mushrooms in 2011 (we thought the perfect combination to try and understand and attempt to demystify the magical world of fungi). Ballyhoura Mountain Mushrooms is based in the Ballyhoura Mountains bordering the counties of Cork, Limerick & Tipperary in Ireland. Our initial aim was very simply to grow and supply the finest possible fresh Irish Gourmet Mushrooms and Foraged Wild Irish Mushrooms to chefs and the general public who valued their provenance and freshness over imported and repacked mushrooms. It came about in 2011, due to a hobby that literally mushroomed itself into a business that now grows in excess of 14 varieties of gourmet and medicinal mushrooms year round. Our mushrooms are predominantly grown on various specific wood substrates and all are grown organically in the absence of chemicals or pesticides. In addition we also forage throughout the year for seasonal wild mushrooms and plants. Having access too and complete control of an amazing raw material source allowed us to develop and manufacture complete ranges of mushroom based products encompassing Dried Mushrooms, Seasonings, Meal Kits, Vinegars, Oils, Ketchups, Pesto’s and Teas used by both professional chefs and home cooks alike. Over the years utilising our scientific backgrounds we began to research and develop a medicinal range of mushroom products initially “Super D Shiitake” a Vitamin D enriched Shiitake mushroom that provided complete RDA of Vitamin D in just 2 mushrooms and now comprises of a complete range of Medicinal Mushroom Powders, Extracts, Teas & Coffees. Once again we developed this capability and manufacturing in-house not utilising contract manufactures to ensure we had complete control and traceability over the complete processes. This culminated in the investment and installation of a Freeze Dryer to allow for the drying of temperature sensitive mushroom extracts. With the acquisition of the Freeze Dryer in 2020, it allowed us to develop a range of Freeze Dried Fruit Products including wild and cultivated fruits further complementing our range of products. Our next step major step was in 2022, with the purchase and installation of an automatic capsule manufacturing plant allowing for the production of up to 5000 capsules per hour. This enhanced capability reinforced our ability to produce commercial quantities of mushroom extracts and supplements without the need for outside contract manufacturing as is the normal procedure for almost all “medicinal mushrooms brands”. In 2024, we achieved a long held goal of massively reducing our carbon footprint with the investment and installation of a 17kw Solar Panel system with battery storage, this will virtually reduce our electricity consumption, allowing us to continue to grow our business without the need for fossil fuels in our energy requirements. 2024 also marked us obtaining accreditation from the Department of Agriculture, Animal Feed Division for the production of mushroom derived pet food, a first in Ireland. This has allowed us commercialise a range of complimentary pet foods allowing our 4 legged friends access to the health boosting properties of medicinal mushrooms.