Subh Fraoċ Bán

Monaghan Business & Tourism Awards

Tell us about your business and team:

Based in Ballinode, Co Monaghan, ‘Subh Fraoċ Bán’ was established in 2019 to provide an array of restaurant-quality, artisan jams, sauces, chutneys, and relishes for the family table. Founder Val O’Kelly, originally from Kildare Town, is a seasoned chef with over 35 years of culinary expertise acquired through positions in four-star and five-star hotels both internationally and throughout Ireland. Val collaborates closely with local growers and suppliers and forages local woodlands for seasonal ingredients. Val is a member of Monaghan Farmers Market and sells his range there every Friday. Products are also available in many local and national independent retailers.

Describe the best thing about your service:

Val’s range of products are cooked in small batches to retain the essence of their ingredients, are vegetarian and vegan-friendly, and are free from artificial colourings and preservatives. Ingredients are sourced locally, when in season, and Val uses traditional cooking methods to preserve them: each jar is hand-poured and sealed in my purpose-built kitchen for all year-round eating. In 2025 Subh Fraoc Bán’s Mango Chutney won Gold at the Irish Quality Food Awards; best Overall Product; and Subh Fraoċ Bán won Best Small Producer.

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever been given?

A mentor once said; “Don’t come to me with a problem, come to me with a solution.” Also; “Don’t use others as an excuse for failure, own your mistakes and improve upon them.”

What does the future hold for your business?

“My business is doing well at the moment,” Val says, “but there are challenging times ahead in this difficult environment.” There will be more focus on festivals and food fairs over the coming months to spread the joy of good food.