Ahearn welcomes Tánaiste Simon Coveney to Tipperary for opening of high-tech Gurteen College milking parlour

Fine Gael's Garret Ahearn welcomed Tánaiste Simon Coveney to Tipperary on Monday.

Mr Ahearn, who is a friend and former employee of the Tánaiste organised the visit to coincide with the officially opening of the new state of the art milking parlour in Gurteen College in north Tipperary.

Tánaiste and former Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney who is a former pupil of the college opened the new dairy facility which has a new 30-unit DeLaval parlour.

This comes about following the school’s recent decision to increase its dairy herd, expanding its number up from 100 pedigree Holstein Friesian cows.

We decided to allocate 250ac of land to dairying which effectively meant 250 black and white cows,” said Gurteen College principal, Mike Pearson. Gurteen College has approximately 500 students at present.

They participate in a wide variety of courses both full-time and part-time.

Earlier that morning Local Councillor Ger Darcy welcomed Mr Coveney to a new Craft Brewery company called Canvas which is run by two sets of brewing brothers, who grow malt and hops on the family farm.

Maurice Deasy gave the guests a tour of the farm and spoke about the new Breweries and Distilleries Act which will for the first time allow for on-premises sales to visitor groups and members of the public.

Bike Park Ireland also welcomed the Tánaiste to their premise. Graham Kenny who leads this family-run business spoke to the Tánaiste about the opportunities which Tipperary and the midlands region has in attracting more tourists.

The farm is the location for one of Ireland’s first dedicated mountain bike parks. It has purpose-built trails for everyone from beginners to professionals.

The Tánaiste had lunch at Country Kitchen in Borrisokane where he addressed a large crowd of Fine Gael members. Mr. Coveney thanked the members for their support over the past number of years during a difficult time of having no government representation.

Garret Ahearn also acknowledged that the lower Ormond area in particular has had a challenging number of years.

Garret Ahearn who has connections from the Kilbarron and Coolbaun region said: “I know we in Tipperary can feel sometimes as though we are forgotten about but I hope the Tánaiste’s visit here today shows the commitment this government has to Tipperary.”