Waterford family farm with 45-year tillage legacy scoops national honour at Tirlán awards

A Waterford farming family has been recognised at a major national awards ceremony celebrating the best of Ireland's tillage sector.

Kieran and Maureen O'Neill of Mount Odell, near Dungarvan, were named winners of the Green Feed Barley category at the Tirlán Quality Grain Awards 2025.

The awards were announced at an event in Co Cork on Tuesday, February 10, where the country's top tillage farmers were honoured for producing crops of outstanding quality across barley, wheat, oats, beans and oilseed rape.

The O'Neill family has been farming in tillage for 45 years, operating a rotation of winter and spring barley, and was singled out for the quality of their Green Feed Barley crop.

A total of 12 category winners were recognised on the night, with the awards designed to celebrate excellence among Tirlán's grain suppliers nationwide.

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Bobby Miller, a grower from Rathmore, Stradbally, Co. Laois, was crowned Tirlán Grain Grower of the Year 2025, with his "exceptional attention to detail, strong technical standards and consistent delivery of premium-quality gluten free oats" securing him both the top honour and the Food Grade Oats category award.

Tirlán Chairperson John Murphy said the awards highlight the "great work of growers who supply the cooperative with high-quality native grains".

"It is always a pleasure to recognise the growers who are delivering excellent quality year after year," he said.

"The winners announced today reflect the high standards that exist right across our grower base. Our growers delivered outstanding crops and demonstrated remarkable professionalism throughout a highly concentrated harvest window.

"As Ireland's largest buyer of native grains, Tirlán remains fully committed to supporting farm families and maximising the value of Irish-grown crops."

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Tirlán's Head of Grains, Michael Ryan, said innovation remains central to the co-op's strategy.

"Innovation remains central to how we develop and expand our ingredients portfolio," he said.

"Our ongoing investment in facilities and R&D allows us to broaden our premium grains offering and support customers across a wide range of applications."

Guest speaker Paul McGillicuddy, CEO of the Malting Company of Ireland, also highlighted the role of Irish-grown barley in supporting the country's brewing and distilling industries.

"Irish malting barley – grown to the highest standards by farmers like those honoured at the awards – is the backbone of our world-class brewing and distilling industries," he said.