Glanbia have been dedicated supporters of Barretstown since 2008. During that time Glanbia’s 2,000 strong Irish employees, combined with the Avonmore brand and Glanbia plc, raised a staggering €1.6 for Barretstown. Over the years Glanbia staff have cycled hundreds of miles as part of the Tour de Kilkenny, climbed Ireland’s toughest peaks and have held events from bake sales to world record breaking attempts.
The success of the partnership is thanks to a network of Glanbia staff throughout Ireland, known as the Champions, who have taken on the challenge of driving the fundraising in their areas. According to Barretstown CEO, Dee Ahearn said “The support, enthusiasm and energy invested by the champions in our charity has been the defining feature of this partnership. Each and every employee involved has given their time generously and they have done so with a huge amount of commitment, dedication and focus. Their collective effort has raised an amazing amount of money, €1.6million, and for that I’m grateful, so too are the wider Barretstown team, and I know this level of effort is very much appreciated by the families who come here”.
This year the partnership is coming to an end, and to celebrate the amazing support of Glanbia, Barretstown invited 30 of the Glanbia Champions who have been the drivers behind the success of the partnership here to Barretstown to celebrate their support.
On Monday 28th July the 30 Glanbia employees received their recognition certificates and were our guests of honour to officially unveil the Barretstown & Glanbia Sowing the Seeds of Magic Garden.
The garden, which was designed by award winning landscape architect Tim Austen, was showcased at this years Bloom festival, where it won a Silver Gilt Award, and the much coveted People’s Choice Award. Glanbia, through their garden center retail store’s CountryLife, sponsored the garden and its transplanting to Barretstown after Bloom, ensuring that there will be a lasting legacy of this great partnership here in Barretstown.
Speaking about the partnership, Siobhán Talbot, Group Managing Director Glanbia Plc said, “Glanbia has been in partnership with Barretstown since 2008 and we’re delighted with the association. Not only did it really resonate with employees but we managed to raise €1.6m for such a worthy cause. We’re very proud of what our employees contributed to this partnership and are delighted that the garden will be a lasting legacy for all of the families who go to camp there in the future.”
The magical garden is home to a hidden burrow, secret steps, a wishing tree and of course the iconic Barretstown red door. The garden will now be enjoyed by campers for years to come.
We would like to thank Glanbia, their staff, customers and especially the champions, for their amazing support over almost 6 years.
Check out the Garden Gallery – see the garden come to life at Bloom, and then its transplanting to Barretstown with the help of some great CountryLife volunteers.