Cleary family named Offaly Person of Year 2012

The Cleary family from Killeigh have been unveiled as winners of the 2012 Offaly Person of the Year by the Offaly Association in Dublin. The collective award is in recognition of the work the family has done in growing a start-up food business into an extremely successful international brand. The family behind Glenisk will receive their award at the association’s annual dinenr dance at the Red Cow Moran Hotel in Dublin on April 6.

Glenisk was established by the Cleary family in the 1980s. Based on a farm that raised 14 children, all of those children are involved in the running of the business. Since the mid 1990s Glenisk has pioneered the organic yogurt and milk market in Ireland. The company currently employs 50 people and sources milk from 40 organiic dairy farms and ten organic goat farms across the country. The business has been transformed into an international success story producing a growing range of environmentally conscious and premium quality organic dairy produce.

Offaly Association chairperson Martin Delaney said yet again this year there were some superb candidates nominated for the award. 'It is always a pleasure to read the submissions made for the list of nominees and to learn about some of the great and often unheralded work that is going on throughout the county,' he said. 'The Clearys are worthy winners having done so much for enterprise and employment in the midlands.'

The Clearys become the 25th winner of the award since the scheme was initiated by the Offaly Association in Dublin in 1988 ,when former GAA President John Dowling (RIP) was the inaugural winner. As 2012 winner, the Clearys succeed last year’s winner Paddy Fenning who scooped the award for his services to the local community.

The Offaly Person of the Year award is sponsored by Coolderry native Noel Tynan of The Celt Bar and Celtic Lodge on Talbot Street in Dublin. It will be presented at the Offaly Association’s annual dinner dance in the Red Cow Hotel, Naas Road, Dublin on Saturday, April 6. Tickets for that dinner dance are now available from Martin Delaney (086 6028345), Donal Cunningham (086 6189857), Liam Fleury (087 6169192), Ed Stones (087 6784422), Ann Carey (086 1626618), Liam Leogue (086 2475567) or any Offaly Association committee member.