2026 Irish Cheese Awards – Coming Soon
Since their inception in 2010, the biennial Irish Cheese Awards have proudly celebrated the exceptional skill, creativity, and passion of artisan cheesemakers from across all 32 counties of Ireland. Hosted by CAIS, this unique competition remains the only one dedicated exclusively to Irish cheese, showcasing the very best of our local craftsmanship on both a national and international stage. While details for the 2026 Awards are not yet finalized, we expect to share full information here in early September. Stay tuned for updates on entry dates, judging criteria, and how to participate in this much-anticipated event that continues to elevate and promote the finest farmhouse cheeses Ireland has to offer.
2024 Irish Cheese Awards
Following a long but exciting day of judging more than 170 cheeses in Teagasc, Ashtown in late March by an expert panel of tasters from home and abroad, this year’s Irish Cheese Awards were presented at the beautiful Kilshane House, Co Tipperary on Wednesday 24th April at a daytime awards ceremony.
The Supreme Champion was awarded to Hegarty’s Cheese for their Alpine Style Raw Milk Hard Cheese for a second time in a row! Many new entrants picked up golds along with stalwarts retaining gold medals in the 17 categories.
Upon arrival to Kilshane House, guests were greeted with a welcome reception of Irish Farmhouse Cheeses, including previous Supreme Champion winners. We were delighted to welcome Bobby Kerr as MC for the event.
2024 Event
Following the main body of awards presentation in the beautiful and historic conservatory, guests moved through to the Orangerie, where Kilshane head chef Ralf Mahler and his team served a sumptuous barbeque lunch, featuring locally reared Tipperary pig on a spit, alongside other ingredients showcasing the best of Irish and local produce.
The final key awards New Cheese, Supreme Champion and Lifetime Achievement were presented after lunch. There was plenty of time for everyone to mingle and network throughout the day and lots of new and old connections were cemented as a result!
Cáis, along with the awards organisers, are very grateful to everyone whose work goes into making the Irish Cheese Awards such a success, particularly our sponsors whose generous support ensures an amazing event and publicity for the Irish Cheese Awards cheeses and cheesemakers. We hope you enjoy the awards ceremony, and have a wonderful day catching up with friends and colleagues and celebrating our amazing Irish cheeses. Go raibh mile maith agaibh go léir!
For any queries please contact the awards organisers on
awards@irishcheese.ie
CAIS 