The following are some of the leading Irish sweetie specialists:

• Ainé Very stylish, very hip chocs from Dublin’s Ann Rudden

• Bizzy Lizzy Lovely continental-style sweet things from Tipperary

• Butlers Chocolates The Butler’s operation now also has chocolate cafés in Dublin city

• O’Connaill Casey O’Connaill is one of the longest-established chocolatiers

• Chez Emily Darling chocs from Helena Hemeryck

• Chocca Mocca Geoff Caird and Catherine Melvin make really witty, fun sweeties

• Druid Chocolates Lush creamy chocs from Gareth Vaughan, and check out that groovy website: www.druidchocolate.ie

• Flair Confectionery Eve St Leger is the great chocolatier of Cork city; we’ll have the crunchy bars please

• Gallweys of Waterford Grichi Gallwey’s super-rich truffles are unique, seriously good and a serious indulgence

• Lir Chocolates Conny Doodie’s firm are pioneer chocolatiers:don’t miss the Bailey’s truffles

• Skelligs Chocolate Co It is worth going all the way to Ballinskelligs to visit this story-book factory. Amazing chocs, amazing packaging

• Wildes Chocolates Delightfully handsome chocs from County Clare