About the Awards

The Dairy Connect Ireland Cheese Awards provide Irish artisan and SME producers with a trusted, independent platform to benchmark their products against internationally recognised standards. The programme is designed not simply to reward excellence, but to support brand-building, commercial credibility, and long-term growth across the Irish dairy sector.

Serving as the official Irish heats for the Artisan & SME Irish classes of the International Cheese & Dairy Awards (ICDA) 2026, the awards offer a clear progression route onto one of the world’s most established and respected dairy competitions. Success at Dairy Connect Ireland enables qualifying producers to advance to ICDA, where products are judged alongside leading entries from across the UK and international markets - reinforcing the value of recognition as part of a wider, globally benchmarked awards programme.

All entries are assessed through a rigorous, independent judging process, aligned with ICDA principles and overseen by experienced industry professionals. Products are evaluated on overall quality, consistency, technical execution, innovation, provenance, and commercial readiness, ensuring that every medal awarded represents genuine merit and can be used with confidence in sales, marketing, and buyer engagement.

Judging is conducted by a respected panel of cheesemakers, dairy technologists, sustainability specialists, retailers, and culinary professionals, bringing real-world commercial and technical insight to every decision. Their involvement underpins the integrity of the awards and ensures outcomes reflect current market expectations and buyer standards.

Winning or placing at Dairy Connect Ireland delivers tangible business value. Award success supports brand credibility, strengthens route-to-market conversations, and provides recognised endorsement that can influence listings, export discussions, and customer confidence. Class winners are automatically entered into the International Cheese & Dairy Awards in June, competing within the best Irish cheese classes and progressing into contention for the ICDA Supreme Champion 2026, ensuring that recognition achieved in Ireland carries through to the highest level of international evaluation and visibility.

Awards are presented across gold, silver, and bronze tiers where standards are met, maintaining the value and integrity of each accolade. Winners and ICDA heat qualifiers are announced during the Ambassadors Dinner on the Thursday evening, an environment designed to connect producers with buyers, partners, and media — turning recognition into opportunity.

While newly established under the Dairy Connect Ireland banner, the awards are grounded in a long-standing heritage of independent judging and sector leadership. They exist to champion Irish dairy excellence today, while providing a clear, credible pathway for artisan and SME producers to be recognised, benchmarked, and rewarded on the international stage through ICDA 2026 and beyond.

Entry cost for the awards are €15  - this will be invoiced following entry.