A Platform with Purpose



Dairy Connect Ireland has been created to bring the sector together at a moment when alignment matters more than ever. Its mission is straightforward: to provide a forum where the future of Irish dairy can be shaped collectively rather than in isolated pockets.

The April event will set the tone. It will gather producers and decision-makers for a programme of insight-led sessions, technical discussions, curated tastings and practical workshops. It is designed not as a conference, but as a working platform—a space where commercial strategy meets sector-wide ambition.

The intention is to highlight the depth of Irish capability while giving businesses the tools and relationships needed 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.

Dairy Connect 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 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 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.

The Ambassadors’ Dinner and Awards Presentation

The day will conclude with the Dinner and Awards Presentation in the evening of 16 April -  a highlight of the Dairy Connect Ireland launch.

This evening event will bring together industry leaders, artisan producers, sponsors and invited guests for a celebration of contribution and excellence across the sector.

The dinner will also host the inaugural Dairy Connect Ireland Awards, recognising achievements in the very best in cheese and dairy produce . Beyond its formalities, it is an opportunity for genuine conversation: the kind that unlocks partnerships, investment and long-term commercial relationships.

The evening is designed to feel both celebratory and purposeful - a moment where the sector pauses to acknowledge progress while signalling its intent for the future.

Why This Matters

Dairy is moving into a decade where agility, collaboration and credibility will determine success. Ireland is well positioned, but the sector must work with a greater sense of collective purpose. Producers are innovating. Buyers are listening. Investors are circling. The missing link has been a platform capable of bringing these forces together in a way that feels coordinated and future-focused.

Dairy Connect Ireland is built to fill that space.

It offers a national moment for alignment. A forum for strategic discussion. A showcase for artisan excellence. And, crucially, 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 Dairy Connect Ireland this April. Join the programme, engage with the community shaping the sector’s future, and - if invited - attend the Ambassadors’ Dinner and Awards Presentation that will close the day.

A new chapter for Irish dairy is ready to begin. Dairy Connect Ireland will help write it.

For further information about Dairy Connect Ireland, participation in the April event, partnership opportunities, or the Ambassadors’ Dinner and Awards Presentation, 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.