Limerick family named overall winners of Dairygold awards
(Left to right) At the 2025 Dairygold Milk Quality and Sustainability Awards are Dairygold chief executive Michael Harte, minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon, with the Overall Award Winners Michael, Stephanie, Martin and Mary Carroll, and Dairygold chairperson, Pat Clancy. Photo: Clare Keogh
Michael and his father, Martin Carroll from Granagh, Co Limerick, were named overall winners of the 2025 Dairygold Milk Quality and Sustainability Awards.
The Carrolls also received the Limerick regional award. The Dairygold 2025 Milk Quality and Sustainability Awards aim to recognise the outstanding achievements of its milk suppliers in delivering high-quality milk and implementing sustainable farming practices.
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A fifth-generation farmer, Michael farms alongside his wife Stephanie and their three children, Donagh, JJ and Eliza.
The farm comprises a 54-hectare milking platform, supported by two nearby silage blocks totalling 34ha, allowing for an efficient system. Since 2019, Michael has employed a full-time team member, Ollie O’Brien, enabling a sustainable workload and supporting a strong work-life balance for the family.
Mr Carroll returned to the farm with his parents, Martin and Mary, after gaining experience in New Zealand. He continues to build his knowledge through active participation in the Kilmallock Discussion Group, demonstrating a strong commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
The judges highlighted that Michael and Martin have together established a high-performing dairy enterprise built on milk quality, efficiency and sustainability. The attention to detail and willingness to adopt best practices are evident across all aspects of the farm.
A strong focus on clover incorporation, efficient nutrient management and consistent reseeding has underpinned the development of a resilient and productive system.
Speaking on their win, Michael Carroll said: “It is lovely to have the judges visit the farm, look around and appreciate all of the hard work that you do. We get such enjoyment out of the farm, and we are very proud of it. It is lovely to get this recognition, and the award means an awful lot to the family.”
The awards ceremony recognised 18 finalists across a range of categories and regions, reflecting the wide range of excellence throughout the Dairygold milk supplier base.
Regional winners included:
- Mitchelstown Regional Winner Don Whelan Mitchelstown, Co Cork,
- East Cork Regional Winner Jim, Brid and James A Browne Ballygarvan, Co. Cork,
- Limerick Regional Winner Michael and Martin Carroll Granagh, Co Limerick,
- Tipperary Regional Winner Eamonn Morrissey Ballylooby, Co Tipperary,
- Mallow Regional Winner Kieran and Colm Kennedy Buttevant, Co Cork,
- Mid Cork Regional Winner Richard, Helen and Gearoid Hinchion Crookstown, Co Cork.
In addition to Regional Category winners, there were several special categories, including the Grassroots Sustainability Award Winner John Canty from Bandon, Co Cork; the Special Recognition Award Winner for their Engineering Innovation on Farm, which went to Edward and Neil Quinlan, Mitchelstown, Co Cork and the Pathways Young Dairy Farmer Award, which went to Gavin O’Donoghue from Crecora, Co Limerick.
Speaking at the event, minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, said: “Our farmers are operating in a period of enormous change whether that is from market volatility, the ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and rising input costs, to climate challenges and environmental pressures.
"What gives me real confidence in the future of the sector is the leadership being shown by farmers, who continue to adapt, innovate and respond to the challenges facing Irish agriculture.”
Speaking about the awards, Dairygold chairperson Pat Clancy said: “These awards are an important opportunity to recognise the hard work, dedication and consistency of our milk suppliers.
"The standards we continue to see across our farming base are a credit to our members and are central to the success of our Co-Op. Farmers like our award-winners are demonstrating what can be achieved through a clear focus on quality, sustainability and continuous improvement.”
