For generations, North County Dublin was known as the breadbasket of the capital, with its rich, fertile soil producing exceptional fruit, vegetables and cereals. The Keogh family have proudly been part of that farming tradition for over 200 years, growing produce on their farm in Oldtown and supplying Dublin’s city markets.
The earliest surviving record of the Keogh family farming in North Dublin appears in an 1883 church tithe register. It offers a snapshot of a much longer story, with family history and local records pointing to a long tradition of growing quality produce on the fertile lands around Oldtown.
When failed harvests followed one of the wettest summers in Irish farming history, Peter Keogh emigrated to Australia for a short time to find work. While in Adelaide, he discovered a passion for growing tomatoes. On returning to Ireland, he brought that knowledge back to the family farm, becoming one of the pioneers of greenhouse tomato cultivation in North County Dublin.
The next generation of the Keogh family, Peter and Tony, built on the family’s legacy by supplying Dublin’s fruit and vegetable markets with everything from cabbages and cauliflowers to sprouts and potatoes. Under the PKS (Peter Keogh & Sons) and Cream of the Crop brands, they became known for producing some of Ireland’s finest fresh produce, with quality at the heart of everything they grew.
Keogh’s built its first cold store, allowing fresh Irish potatoes to be supplied year-round. The business also introduced washed potatoes to the market and partnered with trusted local growers to bring an even wider range of quality Irish produce to market while maintaining the high standards it had become known for.
The launch of the Keogh’s brand marked an important new chapter for the family, putting our name on the produce we’d proudly grown for generations. For the first time, consumers could connect directly with the family behind the potatoes. We also introduced of our Easy Cook potato range, bringing greater convenience to busy households.
As demand for fresh potatoes changed, the Keogh family looked for a new way to add value to the crop they had been growing for generations. In 2011, Keogh’s Crisps was launched using potatoes grown, cooked and seasoned on the family farm, with seasonings sourced from fellow Irish family businesses. It marked the beginning of our Crop to Crisp® story.
Just a year after launch, Keogh’s Crisps reached the shelves of prestigious New York food retailer Dean & DeLuca. It was our first international listing and the beginning of an export journey that continues to grow today.
Keogh’s expanded its crisp range with the launch of Crinkle Cut Crisps. With deeper ridges and an extra crunchy bite, bringing a new texture and flavour experience to the Keogh’s range.
Keogh’s entered a new category with the launch of Bigger Bite Popcorn. Made with the same commitment to quality ingredients and great taste, it marked the beginning of our journey beyond crisps while staying true to our commitment to quality.
The launch of Keogh’s Crinkle Cut Guinness Crisps brought together two iconic Irish brands with a shared history. Generations earlier, Tom Keogh’s grandfather, Peter, supplied grain from the family farm to Guinness, making it a fitting partnership celebrating Irish farming and craftsmanship.
A decade after our first export, Keogh’s was recognised by the Irish Exporters Association as both Food & Drink Exporter of the Year and Overall Exporter of the Year, celebrating the continued growth of the family business around the world.
Tom Keogh received the Outstanding Achievement Award at the National Enterprise Awards. It celebrated the Keogh family’s journey, decades of innovation and an unwavering commitment to quality, locally sourced ingredients and great taste. A proud moment for the Keogh family.
More than 200 years after the Keogh family first began farming in North Dublin, we’re proud to share our crisps and popcorn with customers in over 20 countries worldwide. From our family farm, we continue to grow quality produce, work with trusted local suppliers and craft great-tasting snacks using the finest Irish ingredients.
