Connelly Farm — NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards

Austin and Yvonne Connelly farm with their four daughters, Ava, Anna, Jane and Kate, in Tuam, Co. Galway. Fifth-generation farmers, they are relatively new to dairy farming having made the transition just four years ago. The entire experience has been a whirlwind, albeit an enjoyable one. Converting to dairy farming had its challenges, requiring a lot of patience and control, and would not have been possible without the support and expertise of their milk advisor, local discussion groups and peer farmers. The epitome of modern farming, the four girls are constantly seeking out ways to make the processes on the farm even more efficient and effective.

‘Top quality product and quality time with my family. I’m not sure what other job would give you that’

‘Producing a quality product from something as simple as cows eating grass. It’s so unique to this country’

‘We’ve great craic here’

‘Women are hugely important in a family farm situation. We have 5 women here. It’s a team effort and Austin wouldn’t do it by himself.’

‘If we don’t look after it how can you expect the next generation to’

‘It’s a gift to be able to walk outside your front door and be at work’

‘When you see it now it looks like it has been a dairy farm all its life. It’s hard to see it as anything else.’