Kerrygold and Pilgrims Choice Steal the Show at Dairy Awards

Irish dairy cooperative Ornua achieved global acclaim at the International Cheese and Dairy Awards held in Staffordshire, England. The company won 23 awards, including four major trophies, for its premium cheese and butter products. This triumph reinforces Ornua’s global reputation for quality, innovation, and excellence in dairy.

Ireland’s premier dairy cooperative, Ornua, clinched 23 prestigious awards at the International Cheese and Dairy Awards held in Staffordshire, showcasing the global appeal and quality of its cheese and butter offerings.

Headquartered in Dublin, Ornua is the exporter of Ireland’s finest dairy products and owner of well-known brands like Kerrygold and Pilgrims Choice. It is supported by Irish farmer-owned cooperatives and known for promoting the taste and sustainability of Irish dairy on a global stage.

At the event, which drew over 3,750 entries worldwide, Ornua secured a strong victory with four major trophies and 19 additional awards, including six golds, six silvers, and seven bronze medals.

The DSM Trophy for Best Single Vintage Creamery/Block Cheddar went to Ornua’s Vintage Cheddar, produced by Tirlán at Ballyragget, County Kilkenny, underlining the craftsmanship of its member cooperatives.

The Pilgrims Choice brand impressed with seven awards—three gold, three silver, and one bronze—and swept three major titles: Reserve Champion Overseas, Champion Overseas Cheddar, and Best Irish Cheddar for its Extra Mature Cheddar.

Ornua’s innovative Inclusions cheese range claimed gold, silver, and bronze in the Best Additive Cheese category. Outside the cheese sector, Kerrygold butter stood tall with five wins. The Kerrygold Unsalted Butter took home a gold medal, while the Sweet Spreadable range earned two silver and two bronze awards.

These accolades highlight Ornua’s dedication to high-quality dairy production, rooted in Irish heritage but globally competitive in taste and innovation.

Ornua continues to champion the excellence of Irish dairy through strategic international branding and product innovation, supported by its robust farmer-owned model.