Thursday 8th January 2026

7.30pm sharp (Book directly with the hotel)

The IGA Dairy Social Night takes place on the eve of the Dairy Conference at the 4-star Charleville Park Hotel, in Cork on Thursday 8th of January. This expanded social night is back bigger than ever in January. The positive feedback and the increasing number of requests from members and corporate members to include a social element to the dairy conference, is no surprise considering the popularity and success of previous social nights.

The evening will kick-off at 7:30 pm with a 4-course Gala dinner, and afterwards Paul Hyland, dairy farmer and past IGA council member will host a discussion with special guest for the night, builder and dairy farmer Michael Ward. This will be a very interesting discussion with an individual who has had very interesting and different pathway into dairying.

Michael Ward is a civil engineer by profession and now farmer. He owns one third of the ‘Ward and Burke Group’ that will construct €500m worth of municipal infrastructure in Canada, USA, England and Ireland in 2024. They employ over 1,600 skilled people, hiring and training mainly young graduates and apprentices from farming backgrounds. He owns Kilbegnet House Farm in Creggs County Roscommon where he operates a 500 cow dairy herd with his share farming partner, Andrew Clarke. He grew up on a mixed dairy, beef and sheep farm which he inherited with his brother aged 16. After completing his leaving cert he farmed for two years before going onto study at UCG. After graduating he rented his farm and emigrated to England to work as a contractor. For the past 35 years he has lived between England and Ireland and in the past 4 years has resumed farming.

The hotel is offering a discounted set menu to all our guests attending this social night for only €55pp. They also have a special Table of 10 rate also for discussion groups or corporate groups for €500. We can display your groups photo or logo if you send it to the hotel at the time of booking. We can also get professional photos of your group. We hope to see lots of members coming along early and enjoying some networking over dinner. We know you will enjoy the evening. It is always a very social gathering.

Bed and Breakfast: If you wish to book B&B at the Charleville Park Hotel for the 8th January, don’t delay as accommodation always sells out very fast. You may call them on 063 33700 and ask for the IGA discounted rates.