A huge thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s Tirlán Mountain Challenge – what a day! On Friday, June 20th, 60 colleagues and farmer suppliers laced up their boots and took on the mighty Lugnaquilla Mountain in Co. Wicklow, all in support of Aware, our charity partner.

Together, we raised in excess of €30,000 to support mental health supports delivered by Aware across Ireland. That’s a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together.

The day kicked off bright and early at Abbey Quarter, with a buzz of excitement and a few nervous glances at the forecast. But spirits stayed high as we made our way up Ireland’s highest peak outside of Kerry. The views were stunning, the chats were flowing, and the sense of teamwork was unforgettable. The hike concluded with a celebratory gathering at the Abbey Quarter Canteen.

James Brennan, who led the organising team, shared: “This wasn’t just a hike – it was a show of solidarity for mental health. The energy, generosity, and support from across the business were phenomenal. Thank you to everyone who made it happen. It was great to get the chance to talk and meet with people from right across our business. I’d like to encourage people to sign-up and take part in our next event.”

Lisa Koep, Chief ESG Officer, added: “As we climbed, we were reminded of the personal mountains many face every day. Supporting Aware means helping people find the strength and resources they need.”

Stephen Butterly, CEO of Aware, also shared his thanks: “Support from organisations like Tirlán helps us keep vital services running—and helps break the stigma around mental health.”

Special thanks to the organising team, volunteer guides, and everyone who helped behind the scenes. Your efforts made the day safe, smooth, and seriously inspiring.

Tirlán CountryLife has announced its collaboration with Aware, aimed at promoting mental health awareness through gardening

The network of 15 award-winning Tirlán CountryLife lifestyle and garden retail stores has launched the ‘Grow Yellow – Brighter days ahead’ campaign, with €2 from every plant sold donated to support Aware’s vital work.

The vibrant yellow-blooming Osteospermum or African Daisy plants are available now in all 15 Tirlán CountryLife branches at a price of €7.50, with the aim of raising over €10,000 for Aware. The flower is known for its cheerful yellow blooms with purple centres. The plants are available in distinctive yellow pots.

Chairperson John Murphy said we are proud to support a cause that impacts so many people and so many communities throughout the country. “Mental health is one of the most important issues facing Ireland today, whether you are living in a rural area, a town or city, and maintaining it must be a national priority. We’re proud that our branches and our team of experienced horticulturalists can play our part in supporting the work of our charity partner Aware.”

Ann Meaney, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, highlighted the important role of Tirlán’s CountryLife branches and the expertise available to support gardeners of all levels. “Our CountryLife branches are serviced by experienced horticulturalists who are passionate about what they do. We invest in our branches to ensure our customers enjoy an excellent experience every time they visit. Gardening is not only a joy – it’s a powerful way to support mental wellbeing.”

In addition to raising vital funds, the campaign aims to highlight the important role Aware plays in Ireland today, as the national organisation supporting people impacted by depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and related mood conditions. In 2024, Aware directly supported up to 40,000 people via its support and education services.

Dr Susan Brannick, Aware’s Clinical Director, spoke about the therapeutic benefits of gardening on overall mental wellbeing. “Gardening can be a wonderful opportunity to practice mindfulness. It allows individuals to connect with nature, reduce stress and nurture their overall mental health. We are excited to partner with Tirlán CountryLife in this meaningful campaign to highlight the importance of protecting your mental health, enjoying the outdoors and raising funds for our vital services.”

Together, Tirlán and Aware are sowing the seeds for brighter days ahead – one plant at a time. Call in to one of our 15 Tirlán CountryLife branches today to purchase a plant and support Aware. This is a seasonal campaign and will run for a short period only – don’t miss your chance to make a difference!

In June, we proudly celebrated Pride 2025, reaffirming our commitment to DEI

In June, we proudly celebrated Pride 2025, reaffirming our commitment to inclusion and standing in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community. From vibrant displays to meaningful conversations, this year’s Pride activities reflected the heart of our values – celebrating individuality, fostering belonging and championing authenticity.

Flying the Flag for Inclusion

Across many of our sites, Pride flags flew high as a visible symbol of support and allyship. Employees embraced the spirit of Pride by wearing special Tirlán Pride lanyards and using themed Microsoft Teams backgrounds, creating a colourful and inclusive digital and physical workspace.

A Powerful Conversation: Fern Brady on Authenticity
One of the highlights of the month was our Pride webinar in partnership with Vhi: Unmasking Authenticity: A Conversation with Fern Brady. Hosted by Irish broadcaster Aisling O’Reilly, the session explored the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and neurodiversity. Fern Brady, a bisexual woman and late-diagnosed autistic comedian and writer, shared her personal journey with honesty and humour, sparking reflection and dialogue across the organisation.

Pride in OurWellbeing

This year’s Pride celebrations were also part of our broader OurWellbeing programme, which supports mental health and inclusion across the business. From the Tirlán Mountain Challenge to the upcoming Tour de Tirlán, our wellbeing initiatives continue to foster a culture of care and connection.

Why Pride Matters

Pride is more than a celebration – it’s a reminder of the power of individuality, the importance of visibility and the right to be our authentic selves. It commemorates the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, a pivotal moment in the global LGBTQ+ rights movement and continues to be a call for equality and inclusion.

At Tirlán, we believe that our differences make us stronger. By supporting Pride, we reaffirm our commitment to creating a workplace where every voice is heard, every identity is respected and everyone feels they belong.

Each month, we focus the spotlight on a Tirlán employee. For our July edition, we’re talking to Róisín McManus, Farm Sustainability Development Advisor

Raised on a dairy farm just outside Tullamore in County Offaly, Róisín’s path into agriculture was both organic and purposeful. “Growing up on a dairy farm sparked my interest in studying Agriculture at college. In 2021, I graduated from UCD with a Level 8 bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science, specialising in Animal and Crop Production,” she shared.

Her academic path took her far afield – literally. As part of her undergraduate placement, Róisín worked on two large-scale dairy farms in New Zealand, an experience that deepened her commitment to dairy production. That passion led her to a research master’s through the Walsh Scholarships Programme, in collaboration with UCD and Teagasc. “My research title was ‘Achieving improvements in water quality through targeted organic manure storage advice’, under the guidance of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme Manager, Noel Meehan. During my Master’s, I worked as an advisor at Teagasc Nenagh, which gave me my first real insight into the role of an agricultural advisor.”

After completing her Master’s, Róisín joined Dairygold as a sustainability advisor before bringing her expertise to Tirlán in June 2024. Now part of the sustainability team, she covers the midlands catchment area.

Róisín’s role is a dynamic blend of farmer facing and desk-based. “I really like the balance between farmer-facing and then obviously being desk-based. I love the interaction with farmers – I can always learn something new from them,” she said. Her commitment to building strong relationships with suppliers is evident: “It means a lot when a farmer feels comfortable reaching out for advice. It’s about more than just a one-off interaction.”

Her time at Tirlán has been marked by collaboration and opportunity. “Everyone’s been very welcoming – it’s always really helpful to learn from other styles of advisory,” she said of her team. She’s also had the chance to represent Tirlán at a number of events, including Bloom in Phoenix Park and the Dairy Industry Ireland stand at the Tullamore Show. “I gained valuable exposure and insight.”

Róisín is particularly passionate about sustainability challenges and opportunities. She highlighted the €60 million Farming for Water EIP funding as a key driver of engagement. “We have an opportunity to showcase suppliers that are doing everything in their stride, environmentally, and we also have an opportunity now to increase engagement through offering funding to implement measures positive to restoring and protecting water quality.”

Balancing a busy schedule is second nature to Róisín, who juggles advisory work with helping on both her home and partner’s dairy farms. “Time management is really important,” she advised. Outside of work, she finds balance through running and is currently training for the Dublin City Marathon with her local running club.
With her deep roots in farming, academic rigour and a clear-eyed view of sustainability, Róisín McManus exemplifies the spirit of Tirlán – grounded, driven and future-focused.