Meet the winners of the Dairy & Sustainability Awards 2026

The Tirlán Dairy & Sustainability Awards recognise the dedication, innovation and commitment of Tirlán’s suppliers who consistently deliver high quality, sustainably produced milk from grass based systems across Ireland. The 2026 winners showcase excellence not only in production and efficiency, but also in environmental stewardship, community leadership and the future development of Irish dairy farming.

Overall Milk Suppliers of the Year and Farming Ambassador Award

Winners: Kate & Shane Fitzgerald

Kate and Shane Fitzgerald farm in Portlaw, Co. Waterford with Shane’s parents, operating a highly efficient, spring-calving, grass-based system. Passionate advocates for Irish dairy farming, they regularly open their farm to visitors and have hosted major public and international events highlighting sustainability, animal welfare and transparency.

As previous participants in the Tirlán/Teagasc Future Farm Programme, the Fitzgeralds have played a key role in sharing real-world data to support peer learning. Sustainability underpins every decision on the farm, balancing productivity with environmental protection and farmer wellbeing.

Tirlán Sustainability Champion

Winner: Seamus Brennan

Seamus Brennan farms with his wife Michelle and their family in Attanagh, Co. Laois, operating a progressive dairy farm with sustainability, water quality and family life at its core. A strong advocate of getting the fundamentals right, Seamus demonstrates how practical nutrient management and good farming practices can deliver real, achievable environmental results on a family farm.

Seamus is deeply committed to knowledge sharing and has hosted numerous farm walks, including Tirlán’s Farming for the Future event last June, welcoming over 300 farmers to highlight the importance of water quality during a critical year for nitrates retention. Only recently, he hosted a Farming for Water EIP farmer training course, reinforcing his role as a leader and ambassador for sustainable dairy farming.

Milk Solids Champion

Winner: Dan O’Reilly, Stonefield Farms

Dan O’Reilly of Stonefield Farms in Ballinlough, Co. Meath farms in partnership with his father Bernard, operating a high-performing, family-run dairy enterprise renowned for its immaculate standards and strong focus on milk solids production.

Built on excellent grassland management, high-quality forage and informed breeding decisions, Dan has increased milk solids output from approximately 440kg to over 560kg per cow in recent years. This progress has been achieved while maintaining a closed herd and investing heavily in sustainability initiatives, including clover-based reseeding, protected urea, LESS slurry application and extended grazing. Continuous investment in infrastructure and technology, including a new parlour and cow monitoring systems, has further enhanced efficiency, herd health and overall performance.

Avonmore Fresh Milk Supplier Award

Winners: Amanda & John Mooney, Reynoldstown Farm Partnership

Amanda and John Mooney farm at Reynoldstown Farm outside Ashford, Co. Wicklow, running a true multi-generational family enterprise alongside their children Tony and Jane. Operating a split spring and autumn calving system, the Mooneys produce high-quality fresh milk year-round that consistently meets the exacting standards of the Avonmore brand.

Renowned for their proactive approach to milk quality and hygiene, the family place strong emphasis on nutrition, grass utilisation and continuous improvement. Amanda plays a significant leadership role beyond the farm gate as a Tirlán Council member and Vice Chair of the IFA Animal Health Committee, while Tony and Jane represent the next generation, actively involved in dairy farming, Macra and young farmer advocacy.

Northern Ireland Award

Winner: Hugh Harbison

Hugh Harbison farms with his Wife Sarah, their three children and Hugh’s parents Thomson and Alison - near Aghadowey, Co. Derry, representing the next generation of progressive dairy farming in Northern Ireland. Having gained international experience in Australia and graduated in Agriculture with Business Management from Newcastle University, Hugh now manages his family farm with a strong focus on sustainability and milk solids performance.

Through participation in the ARCZero project, advanced soil testing and LIDAR technology, Hugh is at the forefront of integrating science-based solutions to measure and reduce carbon emissions while improving efficiency. His leadership, innovation and commitment to sustainability have established him as a highly respected voice in Northern Ireland dairy farming.

North Region Award

Winners: Tim, Gillian & Roisin Fitzgerald

The Fitzgerald family farm outside Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, operating the nationally recognised Ballymaddock pedigree Holstein Friesian herd. With a relentless focus on genetics, breeding and efficiency, the herd consistently produces over 600kg of milk solids per cow while maintaining exceptionally low methane emissions.

Tim’s leadership in genetics is reflected in the herd’s top-1% EBI ranking and his roles with Dovea Genetics and the ICBF. Roisin represents the next generation, bringing international experience from New Zealand and specialist skills in AI and scanning, ensuring the farm continues to set benchmarks for efficiency through genetics.

East Region Award

Winner: Seamus Byrne

Seamus Byrne farms in Maganey, Athy, Co. Kildare, alongside his wife Elaine and their three children. A former beef farmer who converted to dairy in 2020, Seamus has rapidly built a high-performing herd producing up to 580kg of milk solids per cow.

His farm now operates with a significantly reduced carbon footprint, well below the national average, achieved through reduced nitrogen use, extended grazing and improved slurry management. Farming alongside the River Greese, Seamus works closely with ASSAP and EIP initiatives to protect water quality and has been selected to host official farm walks showcasing best practice in dairy sustainability.

South Region Award

Winner: The Aherne Family, Shanawalla Farms

The Aherne family operate Shanawalla Farms near Stradbally, Co. Waterford, running a progressive dairy enterprise built on strong grassland management, herd health and work-life balance. With a proud history of innovation and knowledge sharing, the next generation, Shane and Robert, continue to build a resilient and future-focused farm while remaining deeply rooted in their local community.

West Region Award

Winners: Tom & Bill Gaffney

Tom and Bill Gaffney farm near Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny, where consistent attention to cow health, nutrition and efficiency underpins strong performance. Investment in modern facilities, including a new parlour and cow monitoring technologies, has improved labour efficiency and animal welfare, while involvement in discussion groups ensures continuous learning and improvement.

Young Farmer Award

Winners: David Fogarty & Katie O’Toole

David Fogarty and Katie O’Toole, both from non-farming backgrounds, have rapidly established themselves as outstanding young dairy farmers after gaining international experience in New Zealand and Australia. Now managing Cantwellscourt, a 500-cow dairy enterprise near Kilkenny, they have already delivered major improvements in grass quality, cow comfort and herd health.

As shareholders in the business, their focus on long-term sustainability, technical excellence and continuous improvement highlights the evolving opportunities within modern Irish dairy farming.

New Entrant Award

Winner: Conor Wynne

Conor Wynne is a new entrant dairy farmer from Newbridge, Co. Kildare, who has successfully established an independent business through a long-term leasing arrangement. Operating a spring-calving, grass-based system, Conor focuses on efficiency, milk quality and cost control.

A former Teagasc/UCD Professional Diploma Student of the Year, Conor exemplifies how structured supports and education can enable people from non-farming backgrounds to build successful and sustainable careers in dairy farming.

Milk Driver Recognition Award

Winner: Mike Ryan

Mike Ryan has worked with William Byrne Transport since 2008, collecting milk across Tipperary and delivering to Ballyragget. With nearly two decades of service and just one sick day taken, Mike’s reliability, professionalism and commitment have earned him huge respect from suppliers who describe him as dependable, punctual and a true gentleman. His contribution highlights the vital role milk drivers play in supporting farms and the wider Tirlán supply chain.

First Published: 29 April 2026