The winners of the National Dairy Council & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards were announced in Dublin on October 20th, 2015, with presentations to the 13 top dairy farms in the country by hurling legend Henry Shefflin and Minister Tom Hayes TD.
The overall National Quality Milk Award went to Kieran & Catherine O'Sullivan, from Dunmanus, Goleen, Co Cork who supply their milk to Drinagh Co-op.
Runners up in the national awards are Denis, Siobhan, Barry and Jane O'Mahony from Shanakiel, Kilbrittain, Bandon, Co Cork, who supply milk to Barryroe Co-op.
Overall winners, Kieran and Catherine O’Sullivan, were accompanied by their 18-year-old son Cathal who farms with them, and by Kieran’s parents Donal and Mary O’Sullivan. They received a prize of €5,000 and the coveted NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards perpetual cup.
Kieran and Catherine are fifth generation family farmers at Dunmanus, close to Mizen Head. “I inherited how my father used to do things but am still learning every day,” says Kieran. “Now I see how Cathal is learning the ropes and I’m very proud to be able to pass on this knowledge and expertise to my son.”
“So many of our Irish dairy farms have been family farms for generations, who have a deep pride in what they do,” said Zoë Kavanagh, Chief Executive of the National Dairy Council. “Skills and heritage are passed down from father to son, or increasingly from mother to daughter also.”
“Through this award programme we see the passion for progressing and learning the newest and best way of doing things; combined with a heartfelt wish to take care of and improve on the farm, so that it can be passed on to the next generation with care and pride,” said Ms. Kavanagh.
This year’s winner, Kieran says: ‘quality comes first in everything we do. My father would have put a huge amount of work into the farm, taking great pride in producing high quality milk.’
He reminisces about when he first started milking and watching his parents milking cows in the 1960s, “back then we did it by hand, we didn’t have the technology we have today. I’d hope a consumer could walk into our milking parlour and be happy to consume our produce."
Pride and passion play a big part in farming for Kieran and his family. He says that “I have dairy farming in me, the way my father use to do things and generations before”.
Winners – 2015 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards #MadeForThis:
- The overall national winners of the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards for 2015 (Best Milk Quality) are Kieran & Catherine O'Sullivan, Dunmanus, Goleen, Co Cork. They supply their milk to Drinagh Co-op.
- Denis, Siobhan, Barry & Jane O'Mahony, Shanakiel, Kilbrittain, Bandon, Co Cork (representing Barryroe Co-op) have won the Overall Runners Up prize (Best Milk Quality) in the 2015 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.
Four farms received National Category Awards:
- John & Ann Fitzgerald, Gobbinstown House, New Ross, Co Wexford (representing Glanbia Ingredients Ireland) won a National Category Award for Lowest TBC/Most Hygienic Milk.
- John & Margaret Greene, Greenville, Callan, Co Kilkenny (representing Callan Co-op) won a National Category Award for Lowest SCC/Best Udder Health
- James Kingston, Maulnageragh, Clonakilty, Co Cork (representing Lisavaird Co-op) won a National Category Award for Best Milk Protein
- John & Colette Fox, Ballinacregg, Oranmore, Co Galway (representing Arrabawn Co-op) won a National Category Award for Attention to Detail
National finalists presented with a commemorative plaque to acknowledge their excellence in dairy farming and achievement were:
- Dan & Valerie Dennehy, Clonmoyle, Aghabullogue, Co Cork (representing Dairygold Co-op)
- Gerard & Marie Killoran, Carrowloughlin, Bunninadden, Ballymote, Co Sligo (representing Aurivo Co-op)
- Florence & Caitriona McCarthy, Banna East, Ardfert, Co Kerry (representing Lee Strand Co-op)
- Michael and Mary Ita McCarthy, Kilmurray, Feenagh, Kilmallock, Co Limerick (representing Kerry Agribusiness)
- Owen & Rosaleen O'Brien, Cashelbeg, Enniskeane, Co Cork (representing Bandon Co-op)
- Thomas & Marie Ryan, Kylemakill, Moyne, Thurles, Co Tipperary (representing Centenary Thurles Co-op)
- Ivor Smyth, Countenan, Poles, Co Cavan (representing Lakeland Dairies)
Find out more about Kieran and Catherine and meet all the winners at www.qualitymilkawards.ie.