History

Proudly bringing the unique taste of Irish dairy to the world for over 60 years

1962

Kerrygold is born



A good idea deserves a great name. With a grand total of sixty suggestions, six were shortlisted: Buttercup, Shannon Gold, Leprechaun, Tub-o-gold, Golden Farm and Kerrygold, of course. The names were presented to the Board of An Bord Bainne and once the decision was made, Kerrygold was launched, not in Ireland, but across the pond in the UK in 1962.

1962

Kerrygold is born


A good idea deserves a great name. With a grand total of sixty suggestions, six were shortlisted: Buttercup, Shannon Gold, Leprechaun, Tub-o-gold, Golden Farm and Kerrygold, of course. The names were presented to the Board of An Bord Bainne and once the decision was made, Kerrygold was launched, not in Ireland, but across the pond in the UK in 1962.

1965

Exporters Extraordinaire



After 4 years spent developing the export market for milk and milk products in Ireland, An Bord Bainne is now exporting product to up to twenty countries.

1965

Exporters Extraordinaire


After 4 years spent developing the export market for milk and milk products in Ireland, An Bord Bainne is now exporting product to up to twenty countries.

1972

Moving and acquiring



Grattan House, Lower Mount Street, becomes the new headquarters of An Bord Bainne. That same year An Bord Bainne acquired Adams Butter in Leek, England.

1972

Moving and acquiring


Grattan House, Lower Mount Street, becomes the new headquarters of An Bord Bainne. That same year An Bord Bainne acquired Adams Butter in Leek, England.

1973

A whole new market



An Bord Bainne transforms from a semi-state company to a co-operative.

1973 was a big year for Ireland. We became a member of the EEC, opening up new trade opportunities for our little island. Kerrygold was exported to member states including Germany. It was the start of a special relationship.

11 years after launching in the UK and voyaging to exotic lands around the globe, Kerrygold went on sale in Ireland.

1973

A whole new market


An Bord Bainne transforms from a semi-state company to a co-operative.

1973 was a big year for Ireland. We became a member of the EEC, opening up new trade opportunities for our little island. Kerrygold was exported to member states including Germany. It was the start of a special relationship.

11 years after launching in the UK and voyaging to exotic lands around the globe, Kerrygold went on sale in Ireland.

1980

The start of a Saudi adventure



1980 saw the establishment of the Irish Dairy Board in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SIDCO).

1980

The start of a Saudi adventure


1980 saw the establishment of the Irish Dairy Board in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SIDCO).

1982

Birthdays and elections



An Bord Bainne celebrates 21 years.

Tom Cleary, the Irish Dairy Board’s longest serving Chairman, is elected.

1982

Birthdays and elections


An Bord Bainne celebrates 21 years.

Tom Cleary, the Irish Dairy Board’s longest serving Chairman, is elected.

1983

EU milk quotas introduced



The EU milk quota system to control milk production, stabilise both milk prices and the agricultural income of milk producers, is introduced.

1983

EU milk quotas introduced


The EU milk quota system to control milk production, stabilise both milk prices and the agricultural income of milk producers, is introduced.

1985

A Belgian investment



An Bord Bainne invests in Yoko Fresh food, a distribution company in Belgium opening up a new route to market for Irish dairy products.

1985

A Belgian investment


An Bord Bainne invests in Yoko Fresh food, a distribution company in Belgium opening up a new route to market for Irish dairy products.

1989

Kerrygold sponsors the Dublin Horse Show



1989 was the first year that Kerrygold sponsored the Dublin Horse Show, that same year turnover in An Bord Bainne hit £1 billion.

1989

Kerrygold sponsors the Dublin Horse Show


1989 was the first year that Kerrygold sponsored the Dublin Horse Show, that same year turnover in An Bord Bainne hit £1 billion.

1991

Kerrygold crosses the Atlantic



Kerrygold cheese launches in the US with marketing activity targeting the Irish diaspora. Kerrygold Butter didn’t make its way to US shores for another eight years.

1991

Kerrygold crosses the Atlantic


Kerrygold cheese launches in the US with marketing activity targeting the Irish diaspora. Kerrygold Butter didn’t make its way to US shores for another eight years.

1994

Creating TV icons



In 1994, the iconic Kerrygold TV ad ‘Who’s taking the horse to France?’ airs on Irish television. That same year, An Bord Bainne became the Irish Dairy Board.

1994

Creating TV icons


In 1994, the iconic Kerrygold TV ad ‘Who’s taking the horse to France?’ airs on Irish television. That same year, An Bord Bainne became the Irish Dairy Board.

1995

Another year, another adventure



In 1995, it was time to jet off again, this time to South Africa to launch Kerrygold milk powder.

1995

Another year, another adventure


In 1995, it was time to jet off again, this time to South Africa to launch Kerrygold milk powder.

1997

Say Cheese



The Irish Dairy Board adds Pilgrims Choice to its brand portfolio, with the acquisition of North Downs Dairy.

1997

Say Cheese


The Irish Dairy Board adds Pilgrims Choice to its brand portfolio, with the acquisition of North Downs Dairy.

1998

Dubliner heads stateside



In 1998, Kerrygold Dubliner cheese was launched in the United States and it was an overnight success.

1998

Dubliner heads stateside


In 1998, Kerrygold Dubliner cheese was launched in the United States and it was an overnight success.

2007

Next stop, Kerrygold Strasse!



In 2007, we got our very own German street, renamed Kerrygoldstrasse, in honour of our much-loved butter and cheese brand.

2007

Next stop, Kerrygold Strasse!


In 2007, we got our very own German street, renamed Kerrygoldstrasse, in honour of our much-loved butter and cheese brand.

2013

Ireland’s homegrown success



Kerrygold’s retail brand value reaches €500 million.

2013

Ireland’s homegrown success


Kerrygold’s retail brand value reaches €500 million.

2015

Meet Ornua



On the eve of the removal of EU milk quotas, the Irish Dairy Board rebrands as Ornua. It’s a new dawn for the Irish dairy industry.

2015

Meet Ornua


On the eve of the removal of EU milk quotas, the Irish Dairy Board rebrands as Ornua. It’s a new dawn for the Irish dairy industry.

2016

A new home for Kerrygold



Ornua opens Kerrygold Park, a €38 million state-of-the-art Kerrygold butter production and packing facility in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork.

2016

A new home for Kerrygold


Ornua opens Kerrygold Park, a €38 million state-of-the-art Kerrygold butter production and packing facility in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork.

2016

Back on the box



Kerrygold launches its first Irish advertising campaign since 2010.

2016

Back on the box


Kerrygold launches its first Irish advertising campaign since 2010.

1962

Kerrygold is born



A good idea deserves a great name. With a grand total of sixty suggestions, six were shortlisted: Buttercup, Shannon Gold, Leprechaun, Tub-o-gold, Golden Farm and Kerrygold, of course. The names were presented to the Board of An Bord Bainne and once the decision was made, Kerrygold was launched, not in Ireland, but across the pond in the UK in 1962.

1962

Kerrygold is born


A good idea deserves a great name. With a grand total of sixty suggestions, six were shortlisted: Buttercup, Shannon Gold, Leprechaun, Tub-o-gold, Golden Farm and Kerrygold, of course. The names were presented to the Board of An Bord Bainne and once the decision was made, Kerrygold was launched, not in Ireland, but across the pond in the UK in 1962.

1965

Exporters extraordinaire



After 4 years spent developing the export market for milk and milk products in Ireland, An Bord Bainne is now exporting product to up to twenty countries.

1965

Exporters extraordinaire


After 4 years spent developing the export market for milk and milk products in Ireland, An Bord Bainne is now exporting product to up to twenty countries.

1972

Moving and acquiring



Grattan House, Lower Mount Street, becomes the new headquarters of An Bord Bainne. That same year An Bord Bainne acquired Adams Butter in Leek, England.

1972

Moving and acquiring


Grattan House, Lower Mount Street, becomes the new headquarters of An Bord Bainne. That same year An Bord Bainne acquired Adams Butter in Leek, England.

1973

A whole new market



An Bord Bainne transforms from a semi-state company to a co-operative.

1973 was a big year for Ireland. We became a member of the EEC, opening up new trade opportunities for our little island. Kerrygold was exported to member states including Germany. It was the start of a special relationship.

11 years after launching in the UK and voyaging to exotic lands around the globe, Kerrygold went on sale in Ireland.

1973

A whole new market


An Bord Bainne transforms from a semi-state company to a co-operative.

1973 was a big year for Ireland. We became a member of the EEC, opening up new trade opportunities for our little island. Kerrygold was exported to member states including Germany. It was the start of a special relationship.

11 years after launching in the UK and voyaging to exotic lands around the globe, Kerrygold went on sale in Ireland.

1980

The start of a Saudi adventure



1980 saw the establishment of the Irish Dairy Board in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SIDCO).

1980

The start of a Saudi adventure


1980 saw the establishment of the Irish Dairy Board in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SIDCO).

1982

Birthdays and elections



An Bord Bainne celebrates 21 years.

Tom Cleary, the Irish Dairy Board’s longest serving Chairman, is elected.

1982

Birthdays and elections


An Bord Bainne celebrates 21 years.

Tom Cleary, the Irish Dairy Board’s longest serving Chairman, is elected.

1983

EU milk quotas introduced



The EU milk quota system to control milk production, stabilise both milk prices and the agricultural income of milk producers, is introduced.

1983

EU milk quotas introduced


The EU milk quota system to control milk production, stabilise both milk prices and the agricultural income of milk producers, is introduced.

1985

A Belgian investment



An Bord Bainne invests in Yoko Fresh food, a distribution company in Belgium opening up a new route to market for Irish dairy products.

1985

A Belgian investment


An Bord Bainne invests in Yoko Fresh food, a distribution company in Belgium opening up a new route to market for Irish dairy products.

1989

Kerrygold sponsors the Dublin Horse Show



1989 was the first year that Kerrygold sponsored the Dublin Horse Show, that same year turnover in An Bord Bainne hit £1 billion.

1989

Kerrygold sponsors the Dublin Horse Show


1989 was the first year that Kerrygold sponsored the Dublin Horse Show, that same year turnover in An Bord Bainne hit £1 billion.

1991

Kerrygold crosses the Atlantic



Kerrygold cheese launches in the US with marketing activity targeting the Irish diaspora. Kerrygold Butter didn’t make its way to US shores for another eight years.

1991

Kerrygold crosses the Atlantic


Kerrygold cheese launches in the US with marketing activity targeting the Irish diaspora. Kerrygold Butter didn’t make its way to US shores for another eight years.

1994

Creating TV icons



In 1994, the iconic Kerrygold TV ad ‘Who’s taking the horse to France?’ airs on Irish television. That same year, An Bord Bainne became the Irish Dairy Board.

1994

Creating TV icons


In 1994, the iconic Kerrygold TV ad ‘Who’s taking the horse to France?’ airs on Irish television. That same year, An Bord Bainne became the Irish Dairy Board.

1995

Another year, another adventure



In 1995, it was time to jet off again, this time to South Africa to launch Kerrygold milk powder.

1995

Another year, another adventure


In 1995, it was time to jet off again, this time to South Africa to launch Kerrygold milk powder.

1997

Say Cheese



The Irish Dairy Board adds Pilgrims Choice to its brand portfolio, with the acquisition of North Downs Dairy.

1997

Say Cheese


The Irish Dairy Board adds Pilgrims Choice to its brand portfolio, with the acquisition of North Downs Dairy.

1998

Dubliner heads stateside



In 1998, Kerrygold Dubliner cheese was launched in the United States and it was an overnight success.

1998

Dubliner heads stateside


In 1998, Kerrygold Dubliner cheese was launched in the United States and it was an overnight success.

2005

Next stop, Kerrygold Strasse!



In 2005, we got our very own German street, renamed Kerrygoldstrasse, in honour of our much-loved butter and cheese brand.

2005

Next stop, Kerrygold Strasse!


In 2005, we got our very own German street, renamed Kerrygoldstrasse, in honour of our much-loved butter and cheese brand.

2013

Ireland’s homegrown success



Kerrygold’s retail brand value reaches €500 million.

2013

Ireland’s homegrown success


Kerrygold’s retail brand value reaches €500 million.

2015

Meet Ornua



On the eve of the removal of EU milk quotas, the Irish Dairy Board rebrands as Ornua. It’s a new dawn for the Irish dairy industry.

2015

Meet Ornua


On the eve of the removal of EU milk quotas, the Irish Dairy Board rebrands as Ornua. It’s a new dawn for the Irish dairy industry.

2016

A new home for Kerrygold



Ornua opens Kerrygold Park, a €38 million state-of-the-art Kerrygold butter production and packing facility in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork.

2016

A new home for Kerrygold


Ornua opens Kerrygold Park, a €38 million state-of-the-art Kerrygold butter production and packing facility in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork.

2017

Back on the box



Kerrygold launches its first Irish advertising campaign since 2010.

2017

Back on the box


Kerrygold launches its first Irish advertising campaign since 2010.

2019

From Green to Gold



Kerrygold becomes the first Irish food brand to exceed €1 billion annual retail value.

2019

From Green to Gold


Kerrygold becomes the first Irish food brand to exceed €1 billion annual retail value.