Irish suppliers win M&S Awards at Bord Bia Bloom 2026
Laura Harper, the trading director for Ireland and Northern Ireland at Marks & Spencer, and Kevin Connolly, Connolly’s Eggs. Picture: Fran Veale
Three Irish suppliers have been recognised and celebrated at this year’s Marks & Spencer (M&S) Select Farm Awards.
M&S has recognised three Irish suppliers — Connolly’s Eggs (Co Monaghan), the Dunne Family of Killowen Yoghurts (Co Wexford), and Keelings (Co Dublin) — at the company’s awards, held for the first time at Bord Bia’s Bloom 2026.
The awards celebrate the strong partnerships between M&S and its Irish suppliers, recognising those who are delivering great quality produce while continuing to invest in sustainable and innovative farming practices.
As part of the company's farming commitments, it continues to work closely with its "select farmers" across Ireland, building long-term relationships that support investment, resilience, and the future of farming.
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Conolly’s Eggs, a family-run business, has been named the Emerging Talent Award. The award recognises their strong start as an M&S supplier, high standards across modern free-range facilities, and the leadership of the next generation of the family.
Managing every stage of production with a focus on bird welfare, the Connolly family has successfully launched their premium Free Range Large Eggs across all 16 M&S shops in Ireland, meeting top industry accreditations.
Kevin Connolly, of Connolly’s Eggs, said: “We are delighted to receive the Emerging Talent Award from M&S, especially coming so soon after launching our partnership. For a family business that started over 30 years ago with just 300 hens, supplying Marks & Spencer was a dream come true, but being recognised with this award is the icing on the cake. It reflects the hard work our whole family puts in every single day to maintain the highest standards.”
The Dunne Family, producers of Killowen Yoghurts, has won the M&S Family Farm Award. With over 200 years of farming heritage in Courtnacuddy, the farm is now run by three generations, producing single-origin yoghurt using milk from their own grass-fed herd.
They have been recognised for combining traditional farming values with modern, sustainable production, delivering high-quality yoghurt with full traceability from pasture to pot.
Marketing director Pauline Dunne said: “This recognition from M&S means a great deal to us. It reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team, particularly across quality and operations. M&S sets exceptionally high standards, and being part of that journey continually pushes us to deliver the very best yoghurt. This award is a proud moment for all of us.”
Keelings, a family-owned fruit grower based in Dublin, has been awarded the Produce Excellence Award at this year’s ceremony. Established in 1926, the third-generation business has been recognised for its consistent focus on quality, innovation, and sustainable growing practices.
As a long-standing partner to M&S, Keelings continues to invest in advanced growing techniques, helping to deliver fresh, high-quality produce for M&S customers.
The managing director at Keelings, Lynne Sweetman, said: “We’re delighted to receive the M&S Produce Excellence Award. This recognition reflects the strong collaboration between M&S and our team, along with a shared dedication to delivering outstanding quality from farm to foodhall.”
The trading director for Ireland and Northern Ireland at Marks & Spencer, Laura Harper, said: “These winners reflect the strength, resilience, and ambition within our Irish supply base. From long-standing family farms to new supplier partnerships, they are setting new benchmarks for Irish agriculture and food production. We’re proud to work alongside suppliers who are not only producing outstanding food, but actively shaping a more sustainable future for the industry.”
M&S also debuted a show garden at this year's Bloom, Where Trust Takes Root, which was awarded a silver medal in the medium garden category, recognising its design and storytelling of the Irish supply chain. The garden was designed by award-winning landscape architect Scott D Renwick in his Bloom debut.
