The multi-award winning Fitzgerald family farm has been recognised with another accolade.

Tirlan’s representatives Shane and Kate Fitzgerald from Kilmagemogue, Portlaw were named category winners in the Environmental Stewardship & Biodiversity section at the NDC/Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.

The Overall Winners were the Troy family representing Kinsala Co Op, North Cork.

The ceremony took place at the Lyrath Estate Hotel, Co Kilkenny, on Wednesday, 30th September.

Now in its 17th year, the annual awards programme saw 12 farming families from 12 dairy co-operatives celebrated for excellence in milk production and sustainable dairying.

The judging panel included professor Karina Pierce of UCD; professor Patrick Wall of UCD; and Dr David Gleeson, formerly of Teagasc.

Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said “my warmest congratulations to this year’s overall winner of the NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards, the Troy family from Co Cork, and to all of this year’s finalists and category winners.

“Ireland’s reputation for producing high-quality, sustainable dairy is built every day on the dedication, expertise, commitment and hard work of family farms across the country.

“The commitment demonstrated by this year’s finalists to the highest standards in milk quality; animal health and welfare; environmental sustainability; and excellent farm management represents the very best of Irish dairy farming.”

Meanwhile, Ornua CEO Conor Galvin said Irish dairy farmers are the foundation for the work of Ornua and a key part of the Kerrygold success.

The CEO of NDC, Emma Walls, added that all 12 finalists “are ambassadors both for their communities and for dairy farming as a sector”.

This award represents the latest won by the Fitzgerald family, which include being named Tirlán’s 2026 Dairy and Sustainability Awards.