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13 Oct 2025
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13 Oct 2025
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Shane Kelly, Corporate Relations Director, at Diageo Ireland, Carol Power, Senior Sales Manager at Tirlán and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon T.D. Photo Kenneth O’Halloran
Holstein Friesian breeders in Kilkenny are invited to represent their county at the 2025 Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow competition on August 20, at the Virginia Show.
Diageo Ireland in partnership with its cream supplier Tirlán, are celebrating the excellence of Ireland’s Holstein Friesian dairy herds.
The all-island 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 T.D., praised the long-running competition as a symbol of pride in dairy farming and the herds behind the ‘hero’ ingredient in Baileys.
Carol Power, Senior Sales Manager at Tirlán, said: “Our dedicated suppliers continue to deliver exceptional quality cream from carefully managed herds, helping to ensure Baileys is enjoyed by consumers around the globe.
“We’re proud to partner with Diageo in celebrating the excellence, innovation and commitment of Irish family farms through this unique competition that has been running for over 40 years.”
Entries and Prizes
Reflecting Baileys all-island supply footprint, entry to the Diageo Baileys Cow is open to members of both the Irish Holstein Friesian Association and Holstein NI.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST IN KILKENNY SPORTS NEWS
The competition’s top prize, Diageo Baileys Champion, comes with a cash reward of €3,000 and the Virginia Milk Products Cup.
The title is currently held by the Greenlea herd breeders Padraic and Brendan Greenan from Castleblayney.
The breeders of 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.
Breeders are encouraged to submit their entries online at https://www.virginiashow.com/baileys-cow or contact Patrick Gaynor at 087-2898707.
Minister Heydon said the competition is “a proud celebration of the excellence, care and commitment that define Irish dairy farming.
“This standout 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.”
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