Doing The Business

The Big Chill

Conor Sweeny tells Brenda McCormick how he came up with the idea for Leamhain, his non-dairy ice cream range, and what’s ahead for the rapidly growing brand

Vegan Chef Conor Sweeny, founder of Leamhain: ‘Anyone can make good ice cream, not everyone can make great ice cream and very few can make great vegan ice cream.’ Picture: Kirsty Lyons

The past two years have been an absolute endurance test, but for some the pandemic has also been the unexpected catalyst for a new life direction. And in the case of young Irish chef Conor Sweeny, it prompted a pivot into a successful ice cream business.

With a bachelors degree in culinary arts, Sweeny has worked in various award-winning restaurants in both Dublin and London. A vegetarian for ten years and vegan for five, plant-based ...