- M&S 'Where Trust Takes Root' Garden awarded Silver Medal
(Laura Harper, Trading Director Ireland and Northern Ireland at Marks & Spencer, and Pauline Dunne, Marketing Director, Killowen Farm)
Marks & Spencer (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 this year’s M&S Select Farm Awards, held for the first time at Bord Bia Bloom 2026 in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
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 its Plan A for Farming commitments, M&S continues to work closely with its Select Farmers across Ireland, building long-term relationships that support investment, resilience and the future of farming.
M&S Emerging Talent Award: Connolly’s Eggs - Co. Monaghan
Connolly’s Eggs, a family-run business from County Monaghan, has been named the Emerging Talent Award winner at the 2026 M&S Select Farm Awards at Bloom. 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.
(Laura Harper, Trading Director Ireland and Northern Ireland at Marks & Spencer, and Kevin Connolly, Connolly’s Eggs)
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 stores 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.”
M&S Family Farm Award: Dunne Family (Killowen Yoghurts) – Co. Wexford
The Dunne Family, producers of Killowen Yoghurts in County Wexford, 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.
Pauline Dunne, Marketing Director, Killowen Farm commented: “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.”
M&S Produce Excellence Award: Keelings - Co. Dublin
Keelings, a family-owned fruit grower based in County 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.
(Laura Harper, Trading Director Ireland and Northern Ireland at Marks & Spencer, Carly Harty, Commercial Director at Keelings and Lynne Sweetman, Managing Director at Keelings)
Lynne Sweetman, Managing Director at Keelings commented: “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.”
Laura Harper, Trading Director Ireland and Northern Ireland at Marks & Spencer, 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.”
Adding to the celebrations, M&S’s debut show garden, Where Trust Takes Root, 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.
M&S’s debut show garden, Where Trust Takes Root designed by landscape architect Scott D. Renwick
ENDS
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