Winners of 2025 Easter Lamb Display Challenge announced
The Irish Butchers’ Guild has announced the winners of the 2025 Easter Lamb Display Challenge, which celebrates the creativity, craftsmanship, and passion of independent butchers across Ireland.
This year’s overall champion was awarded to Andrew Callaghan Butchers, Bettystown, Co. Meath, whose five-star display was branded a "stunning showcase of seasonal celebration, skilful butchery and product excellence" by the judges.
According to the organisers, entries were evaluated on product range and quality, visual appeal, creativity, innovation, and craftmanship.
Speaking after his triumph, winner Andrew Callaghan said: “We’re absolutely over the moon to be named overall champion. This competition really brings out the best in our industry, and to have our work recognised at this level means the world.
"It’s a huge team effort, and we’re proud to celebrate Irish lamb and the craft of butchery in such a creative way.”
A number of butchers were also recognised with five-star awards for their outstanding entries, including:
- Grogan & Brown Artisan Butchers in Kilkenny;
- Davidson’s Craft Butchers in Cork;
- Jim Crowley Craft Butchers in Midleton, Co. Cork;
- Corrigan’s Artisan Butchers in Dublin;
- Murphy Craft Butchers in Tullow, Co. Carlow;
- B. Molloy Master Butchers in Ennis.
Other butchers achieved 4-star and 3-star awards for the high quality and effort on display.
With Easter being a time when Irish lamb takes centre stage on tables around the country, the competition shone a spotlight on an impressive variety of lamb-based creations.
From expertly trimmed racks and legs of lamb to innovative marinades, ready-to-cook options, and beautifully presented seasonal specials, this year’s entries highlighted the expertise of Irish butchers and their ongoing commitment to quality and innovation.
The entries included:
- Rack of lamb stuffed with black and white pudding;
- Mint lamb kebabs;
- Stuffed lamb breast;
- Lamb onion bhajis;
- Spicy lamb meatballs;
- Ginger and chilli lamb cushion;
- Shepherd’s pie lamb truffles;
- Herb-crusted rack of lamb;
- Marinated lamb tomahawks;
- Lamb empanadas;
- Merguez sausages;
- Salt-aged rack of lamb;
- Spicy lamb koftas;
- Lamb truffles.
Commenting on the competition, the Irish Butchers’ Guild said: “Our members continue to raise the bar each year. These displays aren’t just about presentation - they represent the passion, tradition and local pride that goes into every cut of meat.
"It’s a celebration of Irish lamb, Irish butchery, and the incredible service our members provide to communities across the country.”
Formed in 2019, the Irish Butchers' Guild was founded by a community of independent, like-minded butchers from across Ireland, both north and south.
United by a shared passion for their craft, the group of butchers said they are dedicated to preserving the time-honoured skills, knowledge, and heritage of traditional butchery, while embracing modern techniques and innovation to keep up to date with trends.
