New Zealand Ambassador to Ireland pays visit to Offaly

The New Zealand ambassador to Ireland, Trevor Mallard, paid a visit to Offaly today (Friday), where he spent time touring local attractions and businesses.

As part of his official visit to Offaly, Ambassador Mallard was welcomed to Glenisk by CEO Vincent Cleary for a special tour of the award-winning dairy company’s facilities.

Mr. Cleary personally guided the Ambassador through the site, sharing the story of Glenisk’s remarkable recovery following a devastating fire in 2021.

He spoke about the resilience of the team, the rapid rebuilding process, and how the company has re-established itself as a strong presence in both the Irish and international markets.

Ambassador Mallard, who has a deep background in agriculture and food from his home country of New Zealand, was highly engaged during the visit. He praised the innovation and determination shown by Glenisk in overcoming adversity while continuing to deliver high-quality organic products.

Another stop on Ambassador Mallard's tour of Offaly included a look at John Furey’s dairy farm in Edenderry, hosted by local TD Tony McCormack.

Ambassador Mallard was given a guided tour of the farm’s impressive milking parlour, as well as the herd of cows and young calves.

“This is a top-class farm,” Ambassador Mallard remarked. “Irish dairy is respected around the world, and it’s easy to see why when you visit a place like this. The setup here is excellent — efficient, clean, and clearly run with a lot of care and pride.”

Tony McCormack TD, who personally invited the Ambassador to Offaly, said it was a proud moment to begin the visit in the heart of rural Ireland.

“I’m thrilled to host Ambassador Mallard here in Offaly,” he said. “New Zealand and Ireland have a lot in common, especially in our farming traditions. This visit is a great opportunity to build on those ties and share what makes Offaly such a special place.”