The IrishCheese & Dairy Forum, hosted at the BIA Innovator Campus in Athenry, has been created provide a focused and commercially relevant gathering for the sector.
Supported by Dairy Connect and the International Cheese & Dairy Awards (ICDA), the format places emphasis on practical dialogue across the dairy value chain, bringing together artisan and scaling producers, processors, suppliers, retailers and researchers to address the operational realities shaping the industry today.
By combining technical insight with open industry discussion, the forum moves beyond traditional presentation-led sessions, fostering informed debate, collaboration and tangible solutions for the future of Irish cheese and dairy.
Day 1 Evening | Irish Cheese & Dairy Forum
17:00
Irish Cheese & Whiskey Tasting Presentation
DAFM Conference Hall
Exhibitors, Speakers & Delegate Ticket Holders
17:00 - 19:00
Selection of food and drink sampling from local producers
DAFM Conference Hall
Exhibitors, Speakers & Delegate Ticket Holders
20:00 - 22:30
Networking with Wine & Cheese Reception at the Raheen Woods Hotel
DAFM Conference Hall
Exhibitors, Speakers & Delegate Ticket Holders
Day 2 | Irish Cheese & Dairy Forum - Small Producers Sessions -BIA Auditorium
10.00 – 10.20
Sarah Robbins SALSA
Certification for Growth – Pain Point How artisan producers can access domestic and export markets amid retail concentration and grow shelf presence.
10.30 – 10.50
Dayana - Sabenero Cheese Galway
Michelin Chef Enda My Evoy
11.20 - 11.40
Sarah - Cashel Farmhouse Cheese
Scaling without Losing Craft Identity Pain Point - Balancing growth aspirations with artisan quality, traceability and brand storytelling.
11.50 – 12.10
Grainne - Traditional Cheese Company
Michelin Chef Enda My Evoy
13.00- 14.00
Networking Forum Merges
LUNCH Food Cloud Sustainable Food Truck Service
14.00 - 14.20
Deirdre - Kennedy Teagasc
Sector & Training Supports for Farmhouse and Artisan Producers
14.25 - 14.50
Hegartys Templegall Gruyere Cheese
Michelin Chef Enda My Evoy
14.55 - 15.25
Billy Carr & Joe Tierney Pareire Consulting
Sustainability as a route to market engine Pain Point Packaging Shelf life and Trust
15.30 - 16.00
Sabina Kelly - DAFM Presentation Stage
From Monastic Moulds to Modern Markets – The Story of Irish Cheesemaking
Day 2 | Irish Cheese & Dairy Forum - Volume Processors Sessions – DAFM Presentation Stage