Monaghan egg business secures M&S supplier partnership
Kevin and Brian Connolly of Connolly’s Eggs with Laura Harper, M&S trading director (Ireland and NI), celebrate the launch of their new partnership. Picture: Shane O'Neill/Coalesce
Monaghan-based Connolly’s Eggs has announced a new partnership with Marks & Spencer (M&S), and their eggs are now available across all Irish stores.
The partnership aims to further strengthen the retailer’s commitment to supporting Irish produce and the local economy.
‘Connolly’s Free Range Large Eggs’ have officially been launched across all 16 M&S stores in Ireland. The partnership was sparked by a meeting at the Balmoral Show in Northern Ireland, following years of the family hoping to supply the retailer.
This transition introduces premium Irish produce to customers nationwide, backed by industry standards, including Bord Bia, DAFM, Organic Trust, alongside an AA+ rating for Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards (BRCGS) accreditation.
Connolly’s Eggs was founded in the early 1990s by married couple John-Joe and Veronica Connolly with a modest flock of just 300 hens. Decades later, John-Joe and Veronica are still heavily involved, working alongside their sons Kevin and Brian.
Based in the heart of Monaghan, the Connollys manage every stage of the process, rearing chickens from day-old chicks to end-of-lay.
Their site features four purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities designed specifically around the welfare of the hens, ensuring they have ample floor space and unrestricted access to the lush local pasture.
Kevin Connolly of Connolly’s Eggs said: “We are ecstatically proud to have secured the M&S market and to see our new packaging in-store. For a family business that started over 30 years ago with just 300 hens, supplying to Marks & Spencer is a bit of a dream come true.
"We’ve always believed we have a first-class product, and it’s a fantastic feeling to know that M&S customers across Ireland will be bringing Connolly’s eggs home.”
The Connolly family are no strangers to pioneering standards; in 2000, they became the first flock in Ireland to be commercially certified by the Organic Trust. Today, their operation boasts BRCGS approval and a full Department of Agriculture inspection.
Despite their growth, the "small business" feel remains, with brothers, sisters, and uncles still walking the factory floor every day to ensure every egg meets the family’s high-quality standards.
Trading director for Ireland and Northern Ireland at Marks & Spencer, Laura Harper, said: “At M&S, we are committed to supporting Irish farmers and sourcing locally whenever possible. Connolly’s Eggs stood out to us not only for their incredible family heritage and passion but for their uncompromising standards in animal welfare and quality.
"We know our customers look for the Bord Bia accreditation when they shop with us, and we are delighted to welcome Kevin, Brian, and the whole Connolly family into the M&S supply chain.”
