Laois businesses win big at food awards

There was plenty to celebrate for Laois businesses at this year's Blas na hÉireann food awards with five local producers taking home coveted awards.

Zephyr Yard was awarded Best in County, proudly sponsored by Laois Local Enterprise Office. Abbeyleix business Mueller & O'Connell Bakery received a gold, silver and bronze award at the ceremony in Dingle on Friday, October 3. G's Gourmet Jams Ltd. took home a gold award, The Village Dairy won silver and bronze and Aghaboe Farm Foods received a silver award. CONTINUE READING BELOW PHOTO

Zephyr, Co. Laois, winners of a Best in County Award at the Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards held in Dingle Co.Kerry. Pictured here are Fallon Moore, Blas na hÉireann (left) with Tatiana Bite, Bernie Everard LEO. Pic. Robbie Reynolds

Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards, are now in their 18th year and firmly established as the largest and most influential food awards on the island of Ireland.

"We are incredibly proud to congratulate Zephyrs Yard on winning Best in Laois at this year's Blas na hÉireann Awards.” said Evelyn Reddin, Head of Enterprise.

“This is a remarkable achievement, a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the exceptional quality of their locally sourced ingredients. Their success highlights the innovation and passion within our local food sector and truly showcases the best of what Laois has to offer. We're thrilled to see their talent recognised on a national stage. It is important for the Local Enterprise Offices to come together and support the Blas na hÉireann awards because they align directly with our mission, helping local businesses start, scale, and succeed.”

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Silver Winner Aghaboe Farm Foods. Pictured Artie Clifford, Blas Na hEireann with Niamh Maher and Aiden Cronin (Sponsor) from Andrew Ingredients.

2025 marks another record year for Blas na hÉireann, with over 3,000 entries across more than 180 categories, reflecting the strength and diversity of Irish food and drink.

This year’s finalists and winners had the opportunity to showcase their products at the Blas Village and the popular Eat Ireland in a Day market, both of which returned to Dingle alongside the annual Backyard at Blas panel discussions supported by Bank of Ireland. The weekend offered producers a chance to connect with buyers, industry experts, media, fellow producers, and food lovers, while also celebrating the people, and the talents, that make Irish food so special.

Gold Winner, G’s Gourmet Jams. Pictured are John Sheehy, Blas na hÉireann Helen and Sandra Gee, Sponsor Peter Duminski, Impact Labelling. Pic. Andrew Watchorn

Speaking after the announcement, Artie Clifford, Chairperson of Blas na hÉireann, said “Every year the standard rises, and 2025 has been no exception. To see such talented producers from Co. Laois represented on the shortlist, and now to celebrate the winners from that county, is a real testament to the skill, creativity and resilience of Ireland’s food producers. Making it to the finalist stage alone is a huge achievement, and to win at Blas is something of which to be incredibly proud. Irish food and drink continues to go from strength to strength, and it is a joy to celebrate that strength and that community here in Dingle.”

Bronze & Silver Winner The Village Dairy. Pictured John Sheehy, Blas na hÉireann with Noel Barcoe, Shelly Barcoe and Sponsor from Cross Rental Services, Ann O’Dwyer.

The Blas na hÉireann awards weekend ran from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th October in Dingle, with a packed programme of events shining a spotlight on the very best of Irish food and drink. Sustainability once again remained a key focus, with the event continuing to build on its waste-free commitments and support a more conscious future for Irish food.

Silver, Bronze and Gold Winner, Mueller & O’Connell. John Sheehy, Blas na hÉireann David Grothier, Wellington Lopes da Silva, Sponsor Colin Lavery, Andrew’s Ingredients. Pic. Andrew Watchorn