Celebrating Achievements, Embracing What’s Next
Celebrating Achievements, Embracing What’s Next
As we step into 2026, we take a moment to reflect on the milestones that defined 2025 – and the lessons that will guide us forward
Last year, we processed record volumes of milk across our facilities, a remarkable achievement that showcased the strength and resilience of our teams. We cleared our bond, reinforcing our financial foundation and announced our most significant investment to date – the whey protein plant in Ballyragget, a bold step toward future growth and innovation.
We also celebrated a major win with the successful retention of the derogation, a campaign in which Tirlán and many of our people played a pivotal role. This achievement carries immense importance for our Co-op members and will deliver benefits for years to come. Alongside these milestones, we saw strong performance across all categories, reflecting the dedication and expertise of every team.
Of course, these are just some of the highlights. There were countless moments of collaboration, creativity, and progress that made 2025 a year to remember.
As we look ahead, 2026 brings new opportunities to build on this momentum – to innovate, connect and continue delivering for our members and communities. Together, we move forward with confidence and ambition.
Festive Success
Festive Success
The festive spirit was in full swing across our branches on the run up to Christmas
Our branches came alive this Christmas with events that truly showcased the power of teamwork and community spirit. From wreath-making workshops to joyful carol sessions, every detail reflected our commitment to creating memorable experiences for customers.
Collaboration Across Departments
This success was a result of incredible cross-team efforts. Marketing, Retail and Horticulture teams worked hand-in-hand to deliver events that exceeded expectations. “It was amazing to see everyone pull together – every department played a part,” said Peter O Donovan, Category Purchasing Manager.
Outstanding Engagement
The response was phenomenal – 250 tickets sold within days, with many new faces from surrounding areas joining in. “Seeing so many new customers walk through our doors was the highlight for me,” shared Peter Dunne, Castlecomer Branch Manager.
Going Above and Beyond
From planning to execution, the dedication was evident. “We wanted to create something special and the feedback proves we did just that,” added Fiona Byrne, Marketing Manager. These events weren’t just festive, they strengthened connections and set the tone for an exceptional customer experience.
A Note from Our Horticulturists
Our in-store horticulture team couldn’t agree more on the value of these events: “Customers absolutely love these experiences – they bring people together and create a real sense of community,” said the team collectively.
They added: “It’s not just about plants; it’s about connection. We see a great uplift in engagement and loyalty long-term and that’s what makes these events so special.”
Looking Ahead
This festive success sets the scene for an incredible series of events next year. Keep an eye out in your local store – we love to have our wider Tirlan Family join our in-store events.
Leading the way
Leading the way
Honouring our 2025 Trailblazers
On Tuesday, December 16th, Abbey Quarter was filled with excitement and pride as we celebrated the 2025 Trailblazer Awards. This year, we received over 100 nominations from across the organisation, highlighting the incredible dedication and values-driven spirit of our colleagues.
Nearly 100 people attended the event in person, while over 200 tuned in online to support their teammates and celebrate together. Spirits were high as we recognised 19 outstanding finalists – comprised of six team awards and 13 individual awards – who truly exemplify what it means to live our Tirlán values.
These awards are a testament to the power of community and the impact each person can have. If you missed the celebration, you can watch the recording below. For a full list of this year’s nominees, please scroll to the end of this article. Here are some highlights and photos of our 2025 Trailblazer winners:
Together, we move
Together, we move
Start the year strong and get moving with GoChallenge, launching on January 19!
We’re kicking off the new year with GoChallenge – Tirlán’s refreshed, app-based step challenge designed to make moving together easier, more inclusive and more fun.
What’s new?
- Effortless tracking: Sync your steps automatically with Apple, Android, Garmin, Fitbit and more
- Personal goals: Set a target that works for you – starting from 5,000 stepsTeam spirit: Join mixed, animal-themed teams where success means everyone hits their own goal
- Motivation built-in: Daily streaks, live leaderboards and a GoChallenge Success Coach to keep the energy high.
Why join?
- Boost your energy and focus with just 15-20 minutes of movement
- Connect with colleagues across sites and teams
- Enjoy playful competition without pressure – it’s all about showing up for each other.
Key dates
- Onboarding call: An onboarding call will take place on the 13th of January from 12:30-1pm. Add the call to your diary
- Challenge begins: January 19th
- Posters and QR codes will appear across our sites and an onboarding call will take place on Tuesday 13th January. Join the meeting now
Chewing the Cud with… John O’Connor
Chewing the Cud with… John O’Connor
Each month, we focus the spotlight on a Tirlán employee. For our January edition, we’re talking to John O’Connor, Site Manager at our award-winning Wexford Cheese facility, proud Wexford native and lifelong GAA enthusiast
John is a proud Wexford man and a passionate GAA fan. He had a distinguished hurling career with his club St Martins and won an All-Ireland medal with Wexford in 1996. In recent months, he was heavily involved in St Martin’s successful run to a Leinster Senior Club Hurling title.
When you step into the Wexford plant, you’re greeted by more than the aroma of world-class cheese! You’re welcomed by a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. For John O’Connor, leadership is about people: “There’s a great team of people here – over 60 colleagues who are passionate about cheesemaking and what they do every day.”
The Wexford site’s story stretches back to 1958-59, with a rich history of ownership and transformation. Today, after a €35 million investment by Tirlán, the plant stands as a state-of-the-art, highly automated facility, producing over 55,000 tonnes of cheese annually. But for John, the real strength lies in the people: “I know that I have a great team here and I can trust them… people come with solutions rather than problems.”
Teamwork at Wexford is more than a buzzword – it’s the foundation of daily operations. From the intake of over 1.8 million litres of milk each day to the meticulous grading of cheese by Jerry Warren, every process is a collaborative effort. The team’s ability to adapt, innovate and support one another is what keeps the plant running smoothly, even as they tailor bespoke cheeses to meet diverse customer needs.
John highlights the family spirit that runs through the site: “It’s a very family-orientated site in many ways because there are generations of people coming back to work here. Some who’ve retired now have family members working on site. It’s one big family, helping people through their journey of life.”
Teamwork in Action
John’s leadership style is rooted in trust and empowerment. He believes in giving his team the autonomy to make decisions and encourages a culture where solutions are celebrated.
He also pays tribute to those who came before, like Dr Seamus Auburn, who instilled the importance of quality and pride in their craft: “Make the best cheese we can make.” That ethos continues to inspire the team today.
Continuous improvement is a shared goal at Wexford. The team has embraced sustainability, reducing water usage by 11% over two years and cutting the plant’s carbon footprint by 540 tons with a new heat pump. These achievements are the result of everyone pulling together, supported by the Business Excellence programme and a collective commitment to reducing waste and improving efficiency.
A special congratulations goes to the entire Wexford team for hosting a highly successful series of Milk Supplier Open Days. Over 500 farmer suppliers visited the Tirlán Wexford facility – home to the award-winning Wexford Cheese – to see first-hand the dedication and expertise behind every product.
The two-day event showcased the full story of Wexford Cheese and Whey, from the high-quality milk produced on family farms, through every step of the production process, to the creation of world-class cheese and valuable whey ingredients that are exported worldwide. This achievement reflects the teamwork, pride and leadership that define the Wexford site.
Wexford Open Days Highlights
At the core of Wexford’s success is a culture of mutual respect, pride and shared achievement. John sums it up: “We do make great cheese… and I’m very, very proud of this site.”
FIE 2025 wrapped up
Pictured (l to r): Tommy Maher, Keith Cooney, Aishling Connery, Rory Hannon, Aoife Herlihy, Kathrin Pasold and Carol Power
FIE 2025 wrapped up
Our final Tradeshow visit wrapped up a busy year
The Ingredients team attended FIE in the first week of December, marking our final tradeshow of the year. As one of Europe’s most important ingredients events, it was a valuable opportunity to reconnect with existing customers and strengthen key relationships.
FIE also gave us the perfect platform to showcase our new whey expansion launch, highlighting the growth of our whey portfolio and product mix. Customer response was very encouraging, with strong interest in the expanded offering.
A huge thank you to the Marketing team for delivering an excellent stand and space – a project months in the making and to the Commercial team who kept a full schedule of customer meetings across all three days.
We look forward to an exciting start to 2026.
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