CHEESE & Dairy FORUM Ireland | 15-16 April 2026

Bord Bia Innovator Campus | Co Galway

A Platform with Purpose

The BIA Innovator Campus Dairy Forum, supported by Dairy Connect and the International Cheese & Dairy Awards (ICDA), has been convened to bring the sector together at a moment when industry alignment and collaboration are increasingly important.

Its purpose is clear: to create a forum where the future direction of Irish dairy can be discussed and shaped collectively, rather than in isolation across individual parts of the sector.

The April gathering will bring producers and industry decision-makers together for a programme of insight-led sessions, technical discussion, curated tastings and practical workshops. It has been designed not as a traditional conference, but as a working platform — a space where commercial strategy meets broader sector ambition.

The objective is to showcase the depth of Irish dairy capability while equipping businesses with the insight, connections and practical tools required to navigate the years ahead.

Supporting the Artisan Sector

Ireland’s artisan cheesemakers are central to this story. Their work brings character and identity to the broader dairy landscape, and they remain one of the sector’s strongest assets internationally. Their challenge is rarely quality. It is visibility, capacity and the heavy lift required to open new markets.

The Cheese & Dairy Forum Ireland aims to close that gap.

The event will showcase the breadth of Irish artisan production through structured tastings, buyer introductions and collaborative storytelling. It will give makers the opportunity to present their products in a commercial context - supported by insight, technical guidance and an environment geared towards meaningful engagement rather than passive display.

This is not a platform for hobbyists. It is a space built for makers who are ready to grow.

A Clear Path to the ICDA Awards

A significant part of the programme is a strengthening of the link between the Forum, Dairy Connect Ireland and the International Cheese & Dairy Awards. The ICDA remains one of the most influential stages for global dairy recognition, and Irish producers consistently perform well.

The event on the 15 - 16 April will help producers prepare more effectively through:

• category guidance and export readiness workshops
• a central hub to support entries and benchmarking
• a national showcase designed to present Ireland as a coherent and strong delegation in 2026

The aim is simple: to ensure Irish producers, whether artisan or established, are equipped to compete, and succeed - at an international level.

Why This Matters

The dairy industry is entering a decade in which agility, collaboration and credibility will increasingly determine success. Ireland is well positioned, with strong global demand for its dairy products and a reputation for quality and provenance. Yet the sector must operate with a greater sense of collective alignment if it is to fully realise the opportunities ahead.

Across the industry, producers are innovating, buyers are seeking distinctive products, and investors are paying closer attention to the future of food systems. What has been missing is a platform capable of bringing these forces together in a coordinated and forward - looking way.

The BIA Innovator Campus Dairy Forum, supported by Dairy Connect and the International Cheese & Dairy Awards (ICDA), has been created to fill that space.

It provides a national moment for alignment, a forum for strategic discussion, a showcase for artisan and production excellence, and a gateway to international recognition through the ICDA.

Looking Ahead

The April launch marks the beginning of a longer-term programme: an annual gathering, supported by the Dairy Mail insight network and the NEXUS platform, to ensure that conversation, collaboration and market momentum continue well beyond the event itself.

• For producers, Dairy Connect Ireland provides new opportunities to scale.
• For buyers, it offers access to the best of Irish innovation and craftsmanship.
• For investors and policymakers, it provides clarity, direction and a credible framework for supporting sector growth.

Call to Action

Producers, partners and industry leaders are now invited to take part in the inaugural Cheese & Dairy Ireland this April. Join the programme, engage with the community shaping the sector’s future.

A new chapter for Irish dairy is ready to begin. The Cheese & Dairy Forum Ireland will help write it.

For further information about Dairy Connect, participation in the April event, partnership opportunities, please contact Debbie Stewart, who is leading stakeholder engagement for the programme.

Debbie can be reached at debbie@dairy-connect.com and will be pleased to discuss how producers, buyers and partners can become involved.