glenilen farm

Alan and Valerie Kingston are the driving force behind Glenilen Farm, an artisan, dairy-based food manufacturing business based in West Cork. When Valerie began to make and sell homemade cheesecakes at the local Farmers Market, using milk from the couples dairy farm in Drimoleague back in 1997, little did she know that within 16 years, what began as a kitchen-table business would develop in to the hugely successful food development and manufacturing concern that it is today. Having quickly realised the increase in return that could be achieved by processing their milk into cheese, cream, and dairy-based desserts which could be sold directly to the customer, the couple invested in the construction of a dedicated production unit on their West-Cork farm in 2002. Sales of Glenilen Farm cheesecakes, cheese, and mousse desserts quickly grew and in 2006, Glenilen Farm was registered as a limited company. By 2008, the now six-year old production facility was replaced with a purpose-built, 10,000sq ft unit. Innovation and a focus on quality has been core to the success of this family business. Numerous business and food awards have been won by the couple, including: a British Cheese Gold award; a Bord Bia Real Thing Award; and an Irish Food Writers Guild Award, amongst many others.