Virginia Show opens entries for 2025 Baileys Cow
Mary Gaynor, president of Virginia Show; Mary Rafferty, president of IHFA; Martina Jameson, secretary of Virginia Show; Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon and Carol Power, senior sales manager of Tirlán with the cow Evergrange Missy P launching the Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow competition at the Virginia Show. Picture: Kenneth O'Halloran
Diageo Ireland, in partnership with its cream supplier Tirlán, announced the return of the Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow competition at the Virginia Show on August 20, 2025.
Celebrating the excellence of Ireland’s Holstein Friesian dairy herds, the event remains a showcase of the quality behind Baileys signature ingredient, Irish dairy cream.
Attending its launch in Dublin recently minister for agriculture, food and the marine, Martin Heydon, praised the long-running competition as a symbol of pride in dairy farming and the herds behind the ‘hero’ ingredient in Baileys.
Launching the competition, Minister Heydon said the competition was a "proud celebration of the excellence, care and commitment that define Irish dairy farming".
"This stand-out event highlights the grass-based dairy breeding practices that our skilled farmers are known for and underpins the success of one of our most iconic global brands and our all-island geographical indication, Irish cream," he said.
“The success of our Irish cream is a testament to the quality of our agri-food sector, which continues to deliver premium produce enjoyed around the world.
"I commend Diageo and Tirlán for recognising the vital role of Irish dairy farmers and for continuing to spotlight the best of Irish agriculture through this competition, for showcasing our quality Irish cream globally and for supporting the future sustainability of the agri-food sector. I wish all entrants the very best ahead of this year’s Virginia Show.”
Shane Kelly, Diageo Ireland Corporate Relations Director, added: “We are delighted to champion the exceptional quality of Irish dairy cream – the heart of every bottle of Baileys. This annual event is a stand-out moment in the year to recognise dairy breeding practices.”
Entry to the Diageo Baileys Cow is open to members of both the Irish Holstein Friesian Association and Holstein NI. The competition’s top prize, Diageo Baileys Champion, comes with a cash reward of €3,000 and the Virginia Milk Products Cup Reserve Champion and Honourable Mention will receive €1,500 and €800, respectively.
Additionally, the event will feature numerous other category prizes, including Junior Cows in their second lactation, with a total prize fund of €1,550. The popular Best-Heifer-in-Milk category will also offer €1,550, with €750 awarded to the first-place winner.
Entries can be submitted online at virginiashow.com/baileys-cow or by contacting Patrick Gaynor on: 087-2898707.
