Our expert garden series in action in Athboy

This spring, we brought our expertise to life in stores across the country with the launch of our Expert Garden Series – rolling out across 14 Tirlán CountryLife garden centres nationwide.

From balconies to back gardens, our in-store events gave customers the confidence to get growing. Across all locations, our horticultural teams shared seasonal advice, answered questions and helped customers make the most of their outdoor spaces – bringing real expertise to real people at the right time of year.

The series kicked off in Athboy with a special Q&A featuring Diarmuid Gavin alongside Leonie Cornelius, setting the tone for what followed: engaging, informative and rooted in practical know-how.

For Diarmuid, the series was all about making gardening more accessible, practical and enjoyable for everyone – no matter the space or experience level.

Behind every event was our people. From planning and hosting to sharing advice on the shop floor, our teams delivered hands-on support that reflects what we stand for every day – expertise, accessibility and a genuine passion for helping customers succeed in their gardens.

As Diarmuid Gavin put it, gardening doesn’t need to be complicated – sometimes all people need is the right advice and a bit of confidence. That’s exactly what this series delivered.

For us, it’s another example of how we bring our brand to life in-store – connecting with customers, sharing knowledge and helping more people enjoy the benefits of gardening.

Over 30 colleagues took part in this year’s Tirlán Mountain Challenge, raising vital funds for Aware

The Tirlán Mountain Challenge 2026 proved to be a truly memorable experience, as more than 30 colleagues, along with a number of farmer shareholders, came together for an unforgettable two-day adventure in the heart of Connemara – all in support of Tirlán’s charity partner, Aware.

Taking place on Friday 24 April and Saturday 25 April, participants tackled the dramatic Maumturk Mountains, followed by a scenic hike along Killary Fjord, which included sections of an old Famine trail tracing the water’s edge. With clear skies and perfect conditions throughout the weekend, the group was rewarded with spectacular views across one of Ireland’s most breathtaking landscapes.

Over the course of the challenge, the team covered more than 22 kilometres and climbed over 1,080 metres, pushing themselves physically while supporting one another every step of the way. The effort, camaraderie and good spirits were evident throughout – both on the mountains and during well-earned celebrations afterwards.

Most importantly, the challenge had a powerful shared purpose. Through the dedication and generosity of participants and supporters, over €17,750 has been raised to date for Aware, with fundraising still open as we work towards a target of €20,000. Every donation supports Aware’s vital work in providing information, education and services for people affected by depression and bipolar disorder.

Reflecting on the weekend, Lisa Koep, Chief ESG Officer, said: “Huge congratulations to everyone who took part in the Tirlán Mountain Challenge – a fantastic achievement. It was brilliant to meet so many colleagues and see the level of commitment and fundraising effort for such an important cause. A sincere thank you to everyone who travelled to Connemara to support Aware and to the organising committee for delivering such a superbly run event.”

Feedback from participants echoed that sentiment, highlighting the strong sense of teamwork that defines events like this. Many spoke about the camaraderie on the trails, the encouragement shown to ensure nobody was left behind, and the opportunity to connect with colleagues they might usually only know through emails or meetings.

As participant Zafar Barkat summed it up: “A fantastic day full of good craic, great people and spectacular scenery – with plenty of ‘photo breaks’ along the way.”

Tirlán Chairperson John Murphy, who participated in the challenge for the first time, said: “The Tirlán Mountain Challenge is a fantastic example of what makes our cooperative strong – people coming together with a shared purpose. It was hugely inspiring to see colleagues and farmer shareholders support one another throughout the weekend while also raising vital funds for Aware. Mental health touches every community, and initiatives like this play an important role in supporting awareness, connection and wellbeing.”

The weekend also received high praise from Stephen Butterly, CEO of Aware, who said: “What a fantastic and brilliantly organised challenge. On behalf of everyone in Aware, thank you to the Tirlán team for the immense effort, generosity and warm welcome throughout the day. The positive atmosphere and conversations made it a hugely enjoyable experience.”

Speaking on behalf of the organising committee, James Brennan added: “This challenge is always about more than the kilometres or the climbs – it’s about people coming together for a shared cause. The positivity, support and good spirit shown by the group all weekend was what really made it special, and the funds raised will make a meaningful difference through Aware’s work.”

None of this would have been possible without the commitment of the organising committee and the many colleagues who supported the event behind the scenes. Their planning, logistics and attention to detail once again ensured a superbly run challenge – right down to securing incredible weather.

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In a packed schedule, the ELT visited 15 sites in person, creating space for face‑to‑face conversations, open dialogue and meaningful connections with our people. Alongside this, the team held several calls with our international and farmer‑facing teams, ensuring as many voices as possible were part of the conversation.

At the heart of this year’s Roadshow was a clear message: Your voice matters. Each session focused on sharing local site achievements from the past year, outlining priorities and plans for 2026 and just as importantly, listening to the experiences, perspectives and ideas of colleagues on the ground.

These conversations are a vital part of how we continue to grow and evolve as a co‑op of the future. They provide the ELT with valuable insight into what’s working well across our sites, what challenges remain and how we can continue to improve the way we communicate, engage and work together.

A standout feature of every visit was the local recognition moment, where individuals and teams were celebrated for going above and beyond in their roles and for living our values every day. These moments reflect the pride we have in our people and the impact they make right across Tirlán.
As Michael O’Leary shared during the Roadshow, “Without good people, none of this happens.” The ELT Roadshow is a reminder that our people are at the heart of everything we do and that listening, learning and adapting together is key to our shared success.

Finally, a sincere thank you to our local site managers, HR Business Partners and the Employee Engagement Network, whose collaboration and support helped bring the ELT Roadshow to life across our sites once again.

A valiant effort from the Tirlán senior hurlers at Ballyragget

Tirlán suffered a narrow defeat in an entertaining All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final at Ballyragget, going down 3-18 to 1-13 against WWETB, after a strong opening and a spirited second half performance.

Tirlán started the game brightly and set the early tempo, racing into a five-point lead through sharp attacking play and good use of possession. That strong opening laid down a marker and had Tirlán firmly on the front foot in the opening exchanges.

The momentum shifted midway through the first half, with the opposition responding to draw level and eventually edging ahead approaching the interval. At half-time, Tirlán trailed 1-13 to 1-8, but there was a clear sense that the game remained very much in the balance.

Tirlán came out with real intent after the restart and pushed hard to reduce the deficit. A major opportunity followed when Stephen Manogue was unlucky not to find the net, denied by an excellent save with the game finely poised. That moment proved a turning point, as a goal at the other end extended the gap and made the challenge steeper.

Despite that setback, Tirlán continued to battle and showed great resilience, working tirelessly to stay in contention. However, the lead proved difficult to close in the closing stages and a late goal ultimately decided the contest.

While the result didn’t fall Tirlán’s way, the performance was marked by a strong start, sustained effort and genuine commitment throughout, rounding off a proud journey to an All-Ireland final on home soil.

Thanks to the management team of Liam Dowling, Eamonn Holland, Richie Manogue, Michael Walsh and Denis Walsh for their time and effort throughout the year.