Tirlán names farmers as part of FarmElevate Lighthouse Farm network
From left: Lighthouse farmers Declan Bollard, Joe Lalor, and Linda O’Neill; Tirlán chief executive Seán Molloy; Lighthouse farmer Harry Lalor; Tirlán chairperson Gerard O’Brien; Lighthouse farmer Alan Meade; Teagasc chairperson Liam Herlihy; Teagasc director Frank O’Mara; and Lighthouse farmers Michael and Joe Murphy and Brian Buckley.
The eight farmers shortlisted to represent the inaugural FarmElevate Lighthouse Farms have been announced.
The eight FarmElevate Lighthouse Farms are:
- Brian and John Buckley, Glenville, Co Cork;
- Linda O’Neill, Old Parish, Co Waterford;
- Patrick Fortune, Adamstown, Co Wexford;
- Michael and Joe Murphy, Bennettsbridge, Co Kilkenny;
- John Dwyer, Cashel, Co Tipperary;
- Harry and Joe Lalor, Ballacolla, Co Laois;
- Declan and Tina Bollard, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow;
- Alan Meade, Slane, Co Meath.
These eight farming families will be part of the new five-year programme developed with Teagasc to help farmers improve productivity, profitability, and sustainability through peer-to-peer learning and knowledge transfer.
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The farms were chosen to best reflect the diversity of modern dairy farming and were selected for their strong farm management, innovation and commitment to knowledge sharing.
Together, they showcase strengths in areas including grassland management, breeding, labour efficiency, nutrient management, renewable energy, technology adoption, and business resilience.
Launching the programme at the Murphy family farm in Bennettsbridge, Co Kilkenny, Tirlán chief executive Seán Molloy said: “FarmElevate is about supporting farm families with practical solutions that strengthen profitability, sustainability and resilience. By opening their farms and sharing their experiences, these eight families will help fellow suppliers adopt proven practices and build stronger businesses.”
Tirlán chairperson Ger O’Brien said the programme would build on the strength of farmer-to-farmer learning. “Farmers consistently tell us that the most valuable learning happens when they can see practical changes working on farms like their own. That is exactly what the Lighthouse Farms will deliver.
Teagasc Director Professor Frank O’Mara welcomed the partnership with Tirlán and the opportunity to translate research into practical action on farms.
“Research shows that farmer-to-farmer learning is one of the most effective ways to drive adoption of best practice, complementing a good advisory programme. The Lighthouse Farms will demonstrate how improvements in areas such as grassland management, breeding and nutrient use efficiency can strengthen both profitability and environmental performance.”
The programme is built around three main pillars: the Lighthouse Farms, a network of 200 Elevate Farms receiving tailored technical support and the Signpost programme, which includes Tirlán grain growers.
The first FarmElevate farm walk will take place on Patrick Fortune’s farm near Adamstown, Wexford, (Eircode Y21 R263) on August 6 at 11 am, marking the beginning of an extensive programme. Topics on the day will include new nutrient storage requirements, feeding strategies amid current weather conditions and milk recording.
