Supporting our Employees through Life’s Challenges
Supporting our Employees through Life’s Challenges
Relaunching our Employee Assistance Programme
At Tirlán, we understand that life can be challenging and that sometimes, we all need someone to talk to. That’s why we’re proud to announce the relaunch of our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), delivered in partnership with Vhi, as a key pillar of our new OurWellbeing initiative.
A Confidential Lifeline for Every Employee
The EAP is a free, strictly confidential service available 24/7, 365 days a year to all Tirlán employees and their immediate family members (including anyone living under the same roof). Whether you’re facing personal, family, financial or work-related challenges, the EAP offers immediate access to fully qualified, accredited counsellors and information specialists.
Confidentiality is at the heart of this service. No personal information is shared with Tirlán and all interactions remain private and secure.
What’s Available Through the EAP?
- Telephone & Face-to-Face Counselling: Access up to eight sessions per issue, with the flexibility to receive support by phone or in person at a location that suits you
- Solution-Focused Short-Term Counselling (SFBT): A goal-oriented approach that helps you identify strengths and solutions in collaboration with your counsellor
- Manager Consultation Service: A dedicated helpline for line managers to receive expert guidance on supporting their teams
- Legal, Financial & Wellbeing Advice: Practical support on a wide range of topics, from debt and legal issues to parenting and elder care.
For more information check out the OurWellbeing SharePoint
Why We’re Relaunching
Feedback from our engagement surveys and the Through Your Lens initiative highlighted a lack of awareness and lingering stigma around mental health support. This relaunch is our commitment to changing that.
We’re aligning the EAP with OurWellbeing, our long-term programme focused on enhancing the mental, physical and social wellbeing of every Tirlán employee. Together, these initiatives aim to foster a culture of care, connection and resilience.
What’s New?
To support this relaunch, we’re rolling out a suite of new resources and communications:
- Employee Booklet & Manager’s Guide: Clear, accessible guides to help you understand and use the EAP. Download via the OurWellbeing SharePoint
- QR Codes & Posters: Available across all sites to make accessing support easier than ever. Download via the OurWellbeing SharePoint
- Intranet & Email Comms: Regular updates and reminders through our internal channels
- Information Sessions: Join us in person or virtually for sessions with Vhi to learn more about the EAP and ask any questions you may have
- Mental Wellbeing Coaching: Coming soon – stay tuned for more details.
How to Access the EAP
You can contact the EAP directly at 1800 995 955 or log in to the dedicated portal at Welcome | HealthHero using the credentials:
- Username: Tirlan VHI
- Password: YKYAJFDE
Together, through OurWellbeing and the EAP, we’re building a workplace where every person feels supported, valued and empowered to thrive.
Magic at Bloom
Magic at Bloom
What it takes to pull off Bord Bia Bloom…
Six months of planning, prepping and planting… for five days of pure Bord Bia Bloom magic! And what a festival it was. The Tirlán CountryLife stand was a hive of energy, colour and connection, showcasing everything we stand for – community, growing local, expert advice and good fun.
From seasoned gardeners to first-time growers, we met thousands of customers from every corner of the country – many now planning trips to our stores or hopping online to shop. The Big Green Chair sparked endless smiles (and a few sliding exits!) and it was brilliant to see so many friendly fellow Tirlán faces dropping by to show support throughout the festival.
It takes a serious team to pull off something like Bloom and we’re proud of every one of you. From our horticulturists who designed and planted the garden elements (in between downpours!) to the marketing, digital and corporate comms crew who brought it all to life – not to mention the weeks of behind-the-scenes work with PR, planning, suppliers and more – this was a true team effort.
Massive thanks to everyone involved. You didn’t just show up – you made it unforgettable.
Watch this overview of what we got up to at the festival..
Mooju Powers Up
Mooju Powers Up
A month of gaming glory at GamerFest & Mooju Showdown
In May, Mooju went big on gaming. For the third year running, Mooju proudly sponsored GamerFest – Ireland’s biggest gaming event – lighting up the RDS on May 24th and 25th. Thousands of gaming fans poured into our Mooju ‘Free Play’ zone, where they could sip on chilled Mooju while battling it out on their favourite games. Over 3,000 attendees got a taste of Mooju’s energy and flavour across the weekend!
But we didn’t stop there.
On May 28th and 29th, Mooju hosted the Mooju Showdown Tournament, featuring EA FC. This two-day online soccer showdown brought together everyone from casual players to Ireland’s top e-gamers in a thrilling 1v1 format. The competition was fierce, the goals were glorious and the Mooju spirit was strong.
To wrap up this action-packed month, we’re giving YOU the chance to win one of three €100 Smiths Toys gift vouchers – perfect for upgrading your gaming gear.
Enter Here
Open Farm returns this June
Open Farm returns this June
The Doran family are set to host Kildare Open Farm, supported by Tirlán
Tirlán is proud to support Agri Aware as they announce the return of their flagship Open Farm events this June.
The Kildare Open Farm will be hosted on the farm of Tirlán liquid milk suppliers, the Doran family, in Donadea on Saturday, 14 June. The farm gates will open to the general public for a fun, educational and interactive day out for all ages.
Tirlán Chairperson John Murphy said: “We commend and thank the Doran family for opening their gates to allow the general public to see for themselves the great work being performed on farms supplying high quality fresh milk to Tirlán.”
Chewing the Cud with… Rory Hannon
Chewing the Cud with… Rory Hannon
Each month, we focus the spotlight on a Tirlán employee. For our June edition, we’re talking Rory Hannon, Key Account Manager in Specialised Nutrition Ingredients
From the lush fields of Wexford to the vibrant coast of Waterford, Rory Hannon has always felt at home in the great outdoors. Now settled in Waterford for over a decade, Rory enjoys the balance of city life, coastal charm and the natural beauty of the Comeragh Mountains and the Greenway. With a background rooted in dairy farming, his passion for the industry runs deep.
Rory’s professional journey began in the meat industry, where he joined a graduate programme and later moved into a meat trading role. “It’s a tough industry,” he reflects, “but I learned a huge number of commercial skills that I still rely on today.”
Today, Rory is a Key Account Manager in Tirlán’s specialised nutrition team, focusing on value-added protein solutions for the medical nutrition sector. “It’s a challenging role,” he says, “especially with the constant global uncertainty, but finding solutions and innovating with our customers is incredibly rewarding.”
What drives Rory in his role? “The people,” he says without hesitation. “There’s a great willingness to support and help each other.” He thrives on the variety of his work – balancing day-to-day sales with long-term growth strategies, and collaborating cross-functionally to deliver real value to customers.
International travel is part of the job and Rory sees it as a privilege. “Meeting customers in their own markets builds stronger relationships and fosters trust. It gives us a better understanding of their needs and how we can serve them more effectively.”
He’s also excited about emerging trends, particularly the growing demand for high-protein, nutrient-dense products driven by the rise of GLP-1 drugs. “Tirlán is well positioned to meet this demand with our world-class milk and whey protein range,” he notes.
When it comes to hosting customers, Rory is a big fan of the Customer Experience Room at Abbey Quarter. “It’s a fantastic resource. The space allows us to hold formal meetings and live product demonstrations all in one place. It really showcases our investment in the future.”
Tirlán hits the red carpet
Tirlán hits the red carpet
Campile Allcare Pharmacy celebrates success at the 2025 Irish Pharmacy Awards!
At the 2025 Irish Pharmacy Awards, we found ourselves in unfamiliar (but very exciting!) territory – finalists in four national award categories: Independent Retail Pharmacy of the Year, Community Pharmacist of the Year, Superintendent Pharmacist of the Year and of course, our big win with Pharmacy Technician of the Year.
For a rural team more used to wellies than velvet ropes, it was a surreal and proud moment. These awards, as Irish Pharmacy News put it, celebrate the people and teams who are driving excellence, innovation, and genuine community care – and to be recognised among the best in the country? That’s something we’ll never forget.
The highlight of the evening? Without a doubt, it was watching our very own Janet Corish take the title of Pharmacy Technician of the Year.
Janet’s cool head under pressure, agile mind and gentle nature make her the steady heartbeat of our dispensary. Day in, day out, she brings a level of care, precision and professionalism that lifts the whole team. We see the standards she holds herself to, the quiet leadership she brings and the pride she takes in getting it right – for every patient, every time. All pharmacists will agree, it’s the technicians that are the real bosses and Janet proves it everyday!
To us, she’s long been the queen of the dispensary and now, she’s finally earned her crown. We’re absolutely thrilled that her dedication and excellence have been recognised on a national level. No one deserves it more.
But our success isn’t just about individual achievements. Over the past two decades, our team has grown and evolved. Some faces have changed, others have been with us from the start, but our commitment to the community has remained steadfast. We’ve embraced new ideas, adapted to challenges and supported each other every step of the way. Together, we’ve created a team that’s truly greater than the sum of its parts.
As the only pharmacy in the Tirlán group, we’re proud to bridge community healthcare with the wider agricultural world. Looking ahead, we have ambitions to launch a flu vaccination service for staff and local farmers in the 2025/2026 season. Keeping our community healthy through all seasons is what we work for and we wish all our patients and colleagues continued success, happiness and health.
Thank you for being part of our journey. This win is as much yours as it is ours.
— Bernie and the Campile Allcare team
Building Connections in China
Building Connections in China
In May, our Board and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) made a meaningful visit to our China office, strengthening ties and celebrating our growing presence in the region
The team in China proudly welcomed the delegation on May 19th to their new office space, which they had moved into May 2024. The familiar moss wall, mirroring the one at Abbey Quarter, offered a warm and symbolic connection to our Irish office spaces. The Board and ELT were impressed by the vibrant workspace and the thoughtful Tirlán corporate design touches throughout.
A major highlight of the visit was the 27th China Baking Expo, the country’s largest bakery trade event, which attracted over 400,000 professional bakery visitors. The Tirlán Board attended and took part in a special unveiling ceremony at our exhibit. Opening remarks were delivered by John Murphy, Tirlán Chairman; David Murphy, Irish Consul General in Shanghai; and Zhu Changlin, Honorary President of the China Bakery Association—all expressing their support for Tirlán’s continued success in China.
The momentum continued the next day with the Avonmore Professional Brand Townhall – Shanghai Station, held at the Primus Hotel. Seán Molloy, Tirlán CEO, kicked off the event with an inspiring keynote. Attendees enjoyed live demos from Avonmore Professional Brand Ambassador Gráinne Mullins, Dessert Inspiration Chef Ryosuke Sugamata, and Bakery Inspiration Chef Sen Chen, who showcased creative uses of Avonmore cream in their culinary specialties.
The Board shared how impressed they were with the energy and innovation on display, expressing confidence in the Avonmore Professional brand’s bright future in China’s dynamic bakery sector.
The final day of the visit brought the delegation to Beijing for a meeting at the Irish Embassy with newly appointed Ambassador Nicolas O’Brian. Both the Ambassador and Chairman John spoke warmly about Tirlán’s decade-long contribution to Sino-Irish trade.
As the Irish saying goes, “Ní neart go cur le chéile” – there is no strength without unity. This visit was a powerful reminder of the deep trust and shared vision that connect our teams across borders.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this visit such a success.
Watch a summary of the Avonmore Professional Bakery China
Saddle Up
Saddle Up
Tirlán and GAIN Equine Nutrition are supporting RDA Ireland’s Call for Volunteers
Tirlán, through GAIN Equine Nutrition, is proud to support Riding for the Disabled Association Ireland (RDA Ireland) in its latest campaign to recruit new volunteers for its weekly horse-riding sessions for adults and children with disabilities.
With over 400 volunteers currently supporting 30 RDA Ireland groups nationwide, the charity is calling on individuals who are confident around horses and available during weekday hours to lend a hand. Many of the current volunteers have been involved for decades and with the average age now over 65, there’s a growing need for new recruits to help sustain this life-changing service.
RDA Ireland’s sessions offer more than just riding; they provide therapy, socialisation, skill development and joy to over 380 service users across the country. Volunteers, too, benefit from the experience, gaining friendships, training and the satisfaction of making a real difference.
Dilys Lindsay, RDA Ireland’s Secretary and Deputy Liaison Person, who has volunteered for 26 years, shared: “It has been an amazing experience. We have lots of service users who have communication challenges, who live with Autism and other conditions. The impact the horse has on them is remarkable. Several have said their first word on a horse.”
Tirlán’s support is part of its ongoing commitment to community and equine welfare. Joanne Hurley, Head of Equine at GAIN Equine Nutrition, said: “We’re delighted to continue our support to another really valuable part of the equine industry through our partnership with RDA Ireland. It enriches the lives of so many service users, their families and communities right around the country.”
Employees interested in volunteering or learning more about the Sponsor a Rider Scheme, are encouraged to visit rdaireland.org and see how they can get involved.
Enhancing Our Customer Experience
Enhancing Our Customer Experience
Members of the Tirlán CountryLife Rewards Program can now earn and redeem Rewards Points online as well as in-store
This marks a major milestone in our omnichannel journey, ensuring customers enjoy a seamless and integrated experience, whether they choose to shop in person or online.
How the Rewards Program Works:
Customers can collect points on every purchase they make. The more they shop, the more they earn!
- Customers earn 5 points on every €1 spent on Gardening
- Customers earn 2 points on every €1 spent on Pet food and accessories
- Every point is equal to 1 cent to redeem off any purchase
A dedicated FAQ section, including step-by-step video tutorials, is now live on our website to help customers navigate the new online features with confidence:
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. Together, we are making it easier and more rewarding for customers to engage with us, wherever and however they choose to shop.
Please Note: The Tirlán Countrylife Rewards Program cannot be used in conjunction with the Tirlán Staff Discount
Tirlán at Vitafoods Europe
Tirlán at Vitafoods Europe
Promiko and other ingredients from our range were on show at the recent Barcelona event
Our ingredients team had a very successful trip to Vitafoods Europe in Barcelona in the past few weeks, showcasing our dairy and plant-based portfolio, along with our whey protein isolate brand, Promiko.
The team had a busy and productive three days, with strong footfall on the stand and a high level of engagement. Numerous meetings were had with both existing and prospective customers, generating significant interest in Tirlán’s ingredient solutions.
This was the first year Vitafoods Europe was held in Barcelona and the event welcomed over 300 additional exhibitors and 6,500 more attendees compared to last year, making it an even busier three days for the Tirlán team.
Watch Kathrin Pasold, speak about the tradeshow here.