Listen up, vegans.

Whether you’ve always eaten a meat-free diet or you’re newly plant-based for Veganuary, you’ve probably heard of the heavenly hand-crafted vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, and palm oil-free ice cream sandwiches made by Dublin-based Leamhain.

Now the much-loved brand is bringing four flavoursome vegan ice cream sandwiches to Cork.

Having been let go from his job in the kitchen of London’s pioneering vegetarian fine dining restaurant, Vanilla Black, during the pandemic, chef Conor Sweeny (who also spent four years working at Dublin’s first-ever vegetarian eatery, Cornucopia, earlier in his career), found himself alone at home while his partner, Louise, worked around the clock as a nurse in ICU.

Unable to afford the rent on their apartment, the pair decided to return home in March 2020 and subsequently spent two months self-isolating in Conor’s grandparent’s old house in Killorglin, Co. Kerry. It was there that the concept for Leamhain was born.

Sweeny trialled over 250 litres of vegan ice cream before landing on the final base recipe, which has since become the key foundation upon which he has created countless popular flavour combinations.

If you’re craving some cold comfort food you can pick up a Butterscotch Blondie, a Double Chocolate Brownie, a Lemon Curd Meringue or a Mint Stracciatella (€5.50 each) at Three Fools Coffee on the Grand Parade.

“From testing recipes in my grandparent’s kitchen to handcrafting thousands of delicious sambos each week really is a dream come true.” said Conor.

“I cannot wait to see Leamhain grow over the next 12 months and I am beyond excited as to what the future holds for us.”

Images: Kirsty Lyons