This month we caught up with our R&D Manager for Fresh Milk & Cream, Una Flanagan, whose story at Tirlán has been shaped by courage and passion

This month, we sat down with Úna Flanagan, R&D Manager for Fresh Milk & Cream at Tirlán, whose journey from Cork to Ballyragget has been shaped by both personal resilience and professional passion. Una’s story is one of dedication, to her family, her team and the ever-evolving world of dairy innovation.

Originally from Cork, Úna moved to Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny in 2006, a decision inspired by her late husband, whose roots were firmly planted in the area. Úna shares that her husband’s passing five years ago is a significant chapter in her life’s journey. Throughout everything, Úna has drawn resilience from her son, Seán, their two dogs and the unwavering support of the Tirlán community: “They’ve truly been a source of strength and comfort over the years.”

With a background in food science and technology from UCC and a farming upbringing, Una’s path into Research and Development felt natural. “Food was always a part of life growing up,” she says. Over 25 years in R&D, Úna has witnessed and driven remarkable change. “You see trends that were in their early stages 10 years ago and now they’re mainstream. The industry has changed and evolved so much.”

One trend that stands out is the rise of protein-rich products. “When we launched our protein milk range in 2014, protein was just for elite athletes. Now, it’s for everyone, people of all ages and life stages. It’s amazing to see how one nutrient can impact so many.”

Since joining Tirlán in 2006, Una’s roles have spanned from soups and sauces to leading the value-added milk team. “There isn’t a product in our milk and cream range that I haven’t worked on in the last 18 or 19 years,” she says with pride. For Una, the real reward comes in those everyday moments: “When you go into the supermarket and see all the products on the shelf, you think, ‘I’ve worked on every single one of them.’ That’s always a proud moment.”

Among her favourite achievements are the protein milk products, which have grown and diversified each year. “From our first launch in 2014 to our coffee protein milk this year, it’s been a journey of continuous innovation and adding value to the business.”

R&D at Tirlán is a team sport. “We work with every department across the business from quality, operations, customer service, sales & marketing,  production operators and supply chain. There’s a lot of knowledge sharing and collaboration,” Úna explains. Whether it’s troubleshooting with technical support challenges or brainstorming with colleagues, Úna emphasises the importance of teamwork: “You might know something that someone else doesn’t, so we’re always sharing and learning from each other.”
As for the future, Úna sees healthy ageing and gut health as key trends. “We’re always looking for ingredients and technologies that can add value to our product portfolio.

Consumer awareness is growing, but so are the challenges, especially with the influence of social media and evolving regulations around processed foods.”

Outside of work, Úna’s life is just as dynamic. With her son’s passion for mountain biking, she’s found herself hitting the trails with him, sometimes outside her comfort zone, but always embracing new experiences. “It’s all about getting more confident. I’m doing things now I probably never would have done before.”

Through her commitment to innovation, collaboration and personal growth, Úna continues to inspire her team and the wider dairy industry, proving that resilience and passion make a lasting impact.