Milk Driver honoured at the Tirlán Dairy and Sustainability Awards 2026

Milk collection is one of the quiet constants of life on a dairy farm. No matter the season or the conditions, the tanker arrives, the milk is collected, and the day’s work moves on. Behind that routine, however, is a group of people whose reliability and commitment make a real impact.

Tirlán is delighted to celebrate the role milk drivers play in supporting farm families and ensuring the flow of milk from farm to processing plant. The response from suppliers was overwhelming, with more than 85 drivers nominated by farmers across the co-operative.

The nominations reflected a shared appreciation for drivers who go far beyond what’s expected - people who know the farms on their rounds, understand the pressures farmers face, and show up, day in and day out.

Commenting on the award, John Murphy, Chairperson of Tirlán, said the volume and quality of nominations spoke for themselves:

“Our milk drivers do exceptional work, often at unsocial hours and in all kinds of weather, and they deserve real recognition for the role they play in supporting our farm families. They are a vital link in our co-op, and the strong nominations this year show just how much their commitment is valued right across the country.”

2026 Milk Driver Recognition Award Winner

From the many nominations, Mike Ryan of William Byrne Transport was selected as the 2026 Milk Driver Recognition Award recipient, in recognition of his long-standing commitment to farmers on his Tipperary collection round, covering routes from Drangan to Urlingford.

Based out of Drangan, Co. Tipperary, Mike has been working with William Byrne Transport since 2008, playing a vital role in ensuring milk is collected efficiently and reliably and delivered to Ballyragget. Following in his father’s footsteps — who was himself a milk haulier— Mike has built a reputation for consistency, pride in his work and deep familiarity with the farms he serves.

In nearly two decades on the road, Mike has taken just one sick day, a testament to his dedication and reliability. Farmers who nominated him described him as a “gentleman” — helpful, respectable and easy-going — with several noting his punctuality, with one supplier commenting that “you could set your watch by him.”

Milk Drivers Across the Co-op

Beyond the overall award winner, the nominations provided a clear picture of the contribution milk drivers make on farms every day. Farmers highlighted the importance of drivers who are consistent, practical and aware of the pressures that come with dairy farming.

Several nominations referred to drivers checking in during particularly difficult periods, or maintaining steady collections when conditions were challenging. Others referenced drivers getting through snow and frozen yards during harsh winters to ensure collections continued as normal. In one case, a driver helped highlight the need for a lane upgrade, supporting ongoing access to the farm and its long-term viability.

Taken together, the nominations underline the level of responsibility involved in milk collection and the trust farmers place in their drivers across the co-op.

In recognising Mike Ryan, Tirlán also recognises the wider network of milk drivers whose reliability and professionalism underpin the co-op every day.

First Published: 29 April 2026