A day in Offaly: New Zealand Ambassador gets a true taste of the Faithful County

New Zealand Ambassador to Ireland Trevor Mallard spent a vibrant and inspiring day in County Offaly on Thursday, April 11th, at the invitation of local TD Tony McCormack. The visit was a celebration of Offaly’s excellence in farming, education, food, sport, and heritage — and offered a warm, unforgettable welcome to one of Ireland’s closest international friends.

The day began at John Furey’s dairy farm in Edenderry, where the Ambassador, a proud farming man himself, toured the impressive milking parlour and met with livestock. He was joined there by Cllr Claire Murray and Robert McDermott, both of whom supported the visit. The Ambassador praised the high standards of Irish dairy, saying: “This is a top-class farm. Irish dairy is world-renowned, and it’s easy to see why.”

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The next stop was Glenisk in Killeigh, where CEO Vincent Cleary gave an engaging tour and explained how the company had risen from the ashes of the 2021 fire to rebuild and thrive again. Robert McDermott continued with the group here. Ambassador Mallard was deeply impressed by Glenisk’s resilience, sustainability, and leadership in the organic food sector.

In Tullamore, the Ambassador visited Coláiste Choilm, where he was welcomed by Principal Tadgh O’Sullivan and treated to an impressive robotics demonstration from students of Coláiste Choilm and Tullamore CBS — both headed to the World Championships in Texas. As a former New Zealand Minister for Education, this visit was a particular highlight.

“These students are doing world-class work. It’s energising to see such talent,” he said.

From there, the group headed to Tullamore D.E.W., where Cllr Shane Murray delivered a fantastic tour alongside the brilliant Emma Cooney. The Ambassador was warmly received by the staff and had a chance to engage with the story and spirit behind one of Ireland’s most iconic brands.

A lunch meeting followed at The Old Warehouse, where former Taoiseach Brian Cowen joined the group, as well as Ray Bell from Offaly County Council — Head of IT, robotics programme lead, and a key driver of the county's broadband rollout.

In the afternoon, the Ambassador visited Glenisk O’Connor Park for a showcase of GAA skill and passion. A demo was delivered by county players: Becky Bryant (camogie), Maire Walsh (ladies football), Diarmuid Egan (football), and Adam Screeney (hurling). Ambassador Mallard even tried his hand at both hurling and football — and impressed all present. He was presented with an Offaly hurl and jersey by Tony McCormack TD and County Board Chairperson Tom Parlon, in a special moment of sporting exchange.

The final stop of the day was the sacred monastic site of Clonmacnoise, where the group was guided by Seamus, who presented both the Ambassador and Tony McCormack with a beautifully bound commemorative book. The setting offered a peaceful and powerful close to a remarkable day.

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Reflecting on the visit, Tony McCormack TD said: “This visit was about showing what makes Offaly special — our people, our progress, and our pride. We are humble people in Offaly, and that’s one of our great strengths. But on the other hand, we’re not always the best at shouting from the rooftops about how amazing and beautiful this county is. Today was our chance to do just that — and I think we made an impression.”

Sincere thanks to everyone who helped make this visit such a success: John Furey, Vincent Cleary, Tadgh O’Sullivan, John Hackett, Carinna Carroll (Offaly GAA), Cllr Shane Murray, Emma Cooney, Ray Bell (Offaly County Council), the fantastic staff at The Old Warehouse and Clonmacnoise, and everyone who gave their time and energy to make this day a proud moment for Offaly.

Ambassador Mallard’s visit was a celebration of community, connection, and the quiet strength of a county that continues to shine.