Cavan-born child stars in national dairy campaign

Cavan-born seven year old Seamie Sean Brennan has landed a starring role in a new National Dairy Council campaign celebrating Irish dairy and the pride people across Ireland feel in the sector.

Seamie Sean, whose family has roots in Belturbet and now lives in Donegal, plays Seání in Irish Dairy. A True Irish Legend., alongside Dublin actor Gavan O’Connor-Duffy as legendary Irish warrior Cú Chulainn. The pair were selected following a nationwide casting call held by the National Dairy Council earlier this summer.

Filmed on Dermot Phibbs’ dairy farm in Blessington, Co. Wicklow, the advertisement centres on a humorous misunderstanding between Seání and Cú Chulainn. As Cú Chulainn proudly recounts his legendary feats, Seání assumes he must be talking about Ireland’s pasture-based dairy cows - the 'true Irish legends' in his eyes.

Seamie Sean also joined the National Dairy Council at the National Ploughing Championships, where he watched the campaign advertisement on Farm TV for the first time.

“I had great fun making the ad and dressing up as Seání,” Seamie Sean said.

“It was really exciting seeing the ad at the Ploughing. It was the biggest TV screen I’d ever seen! I can’t wait for everyone at home in Donegal and Cavan to see it too.”

It launches as new National Dairy Council research reveals strong national pride in Irish dairy, while also pointing to a weaker connection among younger adults.

Almost three-quarters (74%) of Irish adults say they feel proud of the Irish dairy sector. However, this falls to just 55% among 18-24 year olds.

The same pattern emerges when it comes to Irish dairy’s international reputation. While 75% of adults nationally believe the quality of Irish dairy is unequalled on the world stage, this falls to 49% among 18-24 year olds.

Irish dairy’s place in Irish culture also continues to resonate strongly, with 84% of adults agreeing that dairy farming is an important part of Ireland’s history and culture. This falls to 69% among 18-24 year olds.

Taken together, the National Dairy Council says the findings reinforce the importance of maintaining a connection between the next generation and dairy - from understanding where food comes from and how it is produced to recognising the role dairy can play in a healthy, balanced diet.

“The national picture is very positive and, importantly, pride in Irish dairy and recognition of its quality remain consistently high from age 25 upwards,” said Emma Walls, CEO of the National Dairy Council.

“But the 18-24 age group stands out, and we need to pay attention to the disconnect that is emerging within this specific cohort.”

“Many younger people today simply have less direct exposure to farming than generations before them. When we look at that alongside what we know about teenagers’ dairy intake, these separate pieces of research reinforce why maintaining a connection with dairy among the next generation matters. We cannot assume that the understanding and connection previous generations had with farming will automatically carry forward.”

“Our new campaign, Irish Dairy. A True Irish Legend., is one of the ways we are responding to that challenge, by telling the story of Irish dairy in a way that is entertaining, distinctly Irish and relevant to audiences who may never have set foot on a dairy farm.”

“The campaign celebrates the farmers, cows and pasture-based system behind the dairy products that are part of everyday life in Ireland, while helping a new generation understand what makes Irish dairy distinctive. Seamie Sean brings that story to life brilliantly, and we are delighted to have him at the heart of the campaign.”

Irish Dairy. A True Irish Legend. will also encourage consumers to look for the National Dairy Council Guarantee when buying milk and cream. Some 68% of Irish adults associate the mark with quality dairy they trust.

The National Dairy Council Guarantee provides independent assurance that qualifying milk and cream have been farmed and processed in the Republic of Ireland.

The campaign is running nationwide across television, streaming, radio, digital, social media, and outdoor advertising.