Meet RUA: Award-Winning Granola from Dublin’s Chef-Founded Wellness Brand
When a chef of many years sets out to create wholesome treats that taste delicious, the result is something special:…
During COVID, when Marianne O’Donnell was struggling with gut health issues, a friend handed her something that looked like “a strange, alien-like thing” – a SCOBY. Little did she know this would spark a journey from her kitchen in Gortahork to creating one of Donegal’s most beloved kombucha brands.
What started as a simple attempt to feel better quickly became something magical. Marianne began brewing kombucha in her kitchen, just trying to heal her digestive system. “The first brew tasted alive,” she recalls. Her digestion settled, her head felt clearer, and she found herself experimenting, learning, and sharing her creations with friends and neighbours around Gortahork.
The response was immediate. “You should be selling this,” people kept telling her. So she did. That was the beginning of Kombucha Na Dálaigh – a brand grounded in wellness, heritage, and a love for clean living. What makes Marianne’s approach special is that every bottle is crafted by a qualified nutrition coach, using a meticulous 10-day brewing process that creates truly living, slow food.
At The Wellness Pantry, you’ll find three distinctive varieties of Kombucha Na Dálaigh, each with its own personality. There’s Grá (Raspberry and Hibiscus) for those seeking a fruity, floral experience, and Anam (Lime and Ginger Hops) for a zesty kick. But the real star is Sláinte – the Turmeric and Ginger blend that’s become their bestseller.
Every bottle uses only organic teas, organic botanicals, and raw cane sugar. Nothing artificial, nothing rushed. The 10-day brewing process means you’re getting unpasteurised, living kombucha that customers consistently describe as refreshing, local, and genuinely good quality. What sets Kombucha Na Dálaigh apart is their deep connection to place, language, and tradition – this isn’t just about gut health, it’s about story, Donegal culture, and heritage.
For Marianne, wellness means “coming home to yourself. Listening, resting, nourishing – body, mind, and gut. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being present and choosing food that makes you feel good in every sense.” Her advice for our community is simple but powerful: “Trust your gut. Physically and emotionally – it knows more than we give it credit for.”
“Go raibh maith agaibh ó chroí,” Marianne says to customers who choose her kombucha at The Wellness Pantry. “Every bottle you pick up supports a small Irish producer, a rural community, and a whole philosophy of wellness that’s rooted in culture and care. You’re not just buying a drink – you’re joining a story.”
Ready to taste what living, slow-brewed kombucha can do for your gut health? Pop into The Wellness Pantry in Bundoran to try all three varieties of Kombucha Na Dálaigh. Your digestive system will thank you, and you’ll be supporting authentic Irish wellness crafted right here in Donegal.
