Waterford farmer elected Tirlán chairperson
Gerard O'Brien, newly elected chairperson of Tirlán Co-op.
Gerard O’Brien has been elected the new chairperson of Tirlán Co-Operative Society.
Mr O’Brien is a dairy farmer from Camphire, Cappoquin, Co Waterford and succeeds John Murphy. Mr O’Brien joined the board in June 2018 and served as vice-chairperson from May 2024 to May 2025.
Larry Hannon and Dan Lynch have both been appointed as vice-chairs of Tirlán Co-op and assumed the role on May 8.
Mr Hannon is a dairy farmer from Ballytore, Co Kildare. He joined the board in May 2022 and is vice-chairman of the National Dairy Council. Mr Lynch is a dairy farmer from Watergrasshill in Co Cork.
Speaking on his appointment as chairperson, Gerard O’ Brien said: “I am honoured to be appointed to serve as chairperson of Tirlán Co-operative Society. I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of co-op members and build on the strong foundations that have been established by my predecessors over many decades.”
Tirlán also welcomed the appointment of six new board members on May 6. The six new board members are Gerard Brady, for the Northern Region; Denis Fagan, also for the Northern Region; Jim Mulhall for North Kilkenny; David O’Dwyer for the South Wexford Region; Alan Stephenson, for the Donaghmore / Monasterevin Region, and Jonathan Tighe, representing the East Waterford Region.
Mr O’ Brien added: “I would like to acknowledge the retirement of our six outgoing farmer directors and sincerely thank them for their years of dedicated service and contribution to Tirlán. They have overseen a period of huge transformation and growth in our co-op.
I would also like to welcome our new board members and wish them every success as they step into new roles within the co-op.”
