Farmer owned dairy and grain co-op Tirlán Co‑operative Society has today confirmed the election of Gerard O’Brien as its new Chairperson.
Mr O’Brien succeeds John G Murphy, who has served in the role since October 2020.
The new chair is a dairy farmer from Camphire, Cappoquin in Co Waterford. He joined the Board in June 2018 and served as vice-chairperson from May 2024 to May 2025.
The organisation owns brands such as Avonmore, Kilmeaden, MyMilkman.ie and the Truly Grass Fed range.
Tirlán also said today that Larry Hannon, a dairy farmer from Ballytore in Co Kildare has been appointed as Vice-Chairperson of Tirlán Co-op effective from today. Mr Hannon joined the Board in May 2022 and is vice-chairman of the National Dairy Council.
Dan Lynch, a dairy farmer from Watergrasshill in Co Cork, has also been appointed as Vice-Chairperson of Tirlán Co-op effective from today, Friday 8 May.
The two men succeed Bill Carroll from Clonmel in Co Tipperary and Tom Phelan from Co Laois.
Tirlán also confirmed the appointment of six new Board members following its AGM earlier this week.
The six new directors who were elected by their respective regions are Gerard Brady (Northern Region), Denis Fagan (Northern Region), Jim Mulhall (North Kilkenny Region), David O’Dwyer (South Wexford Region), Alan Stephenson (Donaghmore / Monasterevin Region) and Jonathan Tighe (East Waterford Region).
Gerard O’Brien said he looked forward to continuing to work on behalf of Co-op Members and build on the strong foundations that have been established by his predecessors over many decades.
“On behalf of Tirlán Co-op, I would also like to thank the outgoing Chairperson John G Murphy for his leadership and dedication to his role as Chairperson for the last five and a half years,” he said.
“He has presided over a period of transformational change for the organisation, culminating in farmers returning to full ownership of the Irish business and very significant value distribution to our Co-op’s Members,” he added.
