Three Laois family farms win Tirlán awards
Seamus Byrne won the East Region Award and is pictured withTirlán Farm Sustainability Development Advisor Hugh Harney, Elaine, Liam and Eimear Byrne,Tirlán board member Larry Hannon and Meadhbh Byrne. Photos: Dylan Vaughan
TIRLÁN, the farmer-owned dairy and grain co-operative, held its annual Dairy and Sustainability Awards on Monday, 27 April.
Laois suppliers were among those honoured at the event, for delivering sustainably produced milk from grass-based herds.
Three Laois family farms were recognised at the awards ceremony where Seamus Brennan, who farms in Attanagh, was named Tirlán Sustainability Champion.
Tim, Gillian and Roisin Fitzgerald, who farm near Abbeyleix, received the North Region Award in recognition of strong performance and consistent results in breeding and milk production while Seamus Byrne, who farms in Killeen on the Laois–Carlow–Kildare border, was awarded the East Region Award for excellent progress on his farm since entering dairy farming in 2020.
Twelve award winners were honoured across a variety of categories. Commenting on the awards, Tirlán chairperson John Murphy said: “Today is about recognising the hard work, care and commitment shown on family farms right across our regions.
“Our suppliers continue to set the standard in quality and sustainability, and that is something we are immensely proud of. Their dedication is what truly sets Irish dairy apart, both at home and on the global stage.”
Meanwhile, Waterford-based couple Shane and Kate Fitzgerald were named Tirlán Milk Suppliers of the Year. They also received the Farming Ambassador Award, recognising their leadership and commitment to producing quality milk sustainably while actively promoting the wider dairy sector in Ireland.
Congratulating all recipients, Tirlán CEO Seán Molloy said: “The farmers we are celebrating today represent the very best of our co-op. Their willingness to embrace innovation, improve sustainability and share their experiences sets a powerful example across our supply base.
“While the past spring has been a challenging one on farms, the resilience and professionalism of our members give us great confidence for the future. Tirlán remains fully committed to supporting our suppliers as they continue to build strong, sustainable family farms for generations to come.”
