Each month, we put the spotlight on a Tirlán employee and for our December newsletter, we’re talking to Mick May

Mick May and his colleagues in Ballitore, Co Kildare, will be working non-stop between now and Christmas to meet demand for the extended Avonmore Cream range. And despite the extra pressure, it’s a time of year that the Machine Operator and father of three absolutely loves.

“I’m here 11 years now and from December 4 right up to December 22, it will be non-stop and I’ll either be on the 2pm to 10pm or the 6am to 2pm shift. It’s the first year in my 11 years that I won’t be doing nights. We trained a new guy up for nights.

“It’s busier at this time but we all put our shoulder to the wheel and the banter and the craic continues. And while we’re working with cream every single day, smelling the Baileys, the Brandy, the Salted Caramel this year, I still do manage to enjoy some cream over Christmas.

“I was involved with R&D on the production of the new Salted Caramel cream so I’m definitely looking forward to tasting that over Christmas.

“We’ve a great, tight-knit crew here. We have had a few changes to the team in recent times and the new team members have settled in great and we’re a very close bunch.

“I live in Athy so I’m only 10 minutes away from work. It’s handy because outside of work, I enjoy watching soccer and GAA and I play a bit of golf. I’m playing off 5 and have been for a good while. The secret to keeping my handicap low has been not to play much golf at all!”

The family man says that while some of his colleagues take time off after Christmas, he works through. “We love taking family time during the summer. Our kids are a great age. Mia is in 1st year, Olivia only started school and Jack is in 3rd class. They’re at a great age and they keep us on our toes.

“I love my job and it hasn’t changed much since we became Tirlán. The job has evolved though over the years. Some parts of the job have been mechanised and streamlined and there is an even greater focus on safety than ever.

“I’m very lucky. I love what I do and I really enjoy going into work. I came in here on a three-month contract and never left. As the wife says, they’d want a crane to lift me out at this stage.”