Veronica Steele

Veronica Steele (26 November 1947 – 4 January 2017) was artisan cheesemaker from Eyeries, West Cork.

Life
Steele pioneered the homegrown Irish artisan cheese industry with the introduction of Milleens cheese, which achieved national attention when it was picked up by Declan Ryan for use in the Arbutus Lodge, Cork. She was influenced by John Ehle. She started cheese making as a way to preserve excess milk, and develop jobs in rural areas.

Steele suffered from multiple system atrophy later in life and retired in 2003, passing ownership of the Milleens production to her son. In 2016, she was honoured with a "Best of the Decade" Good Food Ireland Award.