Trading for over 25 years, Dennehy Brothers Agri Contractors & Plant Hire run a successful agricultural contracting business in Killorglin, Co. Kerry. There is a suckler farm enterprise in the mix, but the contracting is what keeps the family busy.
From humbling beginnings in 1993 when brothers Brendan and Brian Dennehy started out with a Welger RP12 baler attached to an International 1055 and a Massey Ferguson 590 for drawing bales, the family business has grown into one of the leading agri contracting firms in the Mid-Kerry area, specialising in silage and hay baling, slurry spreading, dung spreading, dump trailer and track machine work.
The Dennehy name is synonymous with baling. Last year, the brothers baled approximately 20,000 bales, a figure which included a larger-than-usual amount of hay bales.
“The good weather saw a revival in the hay bales,” Brendan Dennehy explains.
“In this business, the weather dictates everything so it was great to get a summer like last year where there were no interruptions. Brian and I have been baling since we both worked for John O’Sullivan in Milltown. John was one of the first contractors in Kerry to have a round baler. When he got out of the baling, we took on a lot of his customers. We still enjoy an excellent working relationship with John who does all the mowing for us.”
Slurry work is also a big contributor to overall turnover. Dennehy Brothers Agri Contractors & Plant Hire has a contract to draw slurry from the nearby Maine Valley pig station which is spread on local farms. This is where well-known pig producer Colm Ryan of Kilfilum Ltd in Ennis, Co. Clare finishes his pigs. In addition, the Dennehy’s undertake dump trailer and track machine work for local farmers and building contractors.
Committed to providing a top-class service and complete customer satisfaction, Dennehy Brothers Agri Contractors & Plant Hire has an array of machinery to carry out your work quickly and efficiently, providing you with value-for-money and an alternative to investing in your own expensive equipment. The contractor’s success can be attributed to the knowledge, skill and expertise of its staff as well as the quality of its machinery. Brendan, Brian and their highly-capable team deliver the value and quality farmers expect from the agricultural contracting partner.
The brothers run five John Deere tractors (6830×2, 6910, 6810 and 6600) along with an International 956XL, which is used for drawing bales.
“We’re big fans of John Deere and deal with Geary’s Garage in Kilmeedy, Co. Limerick for sales. They’re a reliable and economical tractor capable of carrying out any job on the farm. The two 6830s, which were registered in 2009 and 2013, put up between 1,100 and 1,200 hours on the clock each year. They’re a great tractor which are looked after very well. We’re able to look after most of the maintenance ourselves and also use local mechanics.”
Other plant / equipment operated by the Dennehy’s include a JCB digger which is used for loading and unloading bales, a Hitachi track machine, three HiSpec 2,000-gallon slurry tankers, two McHale Fusion 1 balers, four flat trailers for drawing bales, a Marshall dung spreader, a McKenna dump trailer, a John Deere 1365 mower conditioner, a FELLA 617 rake, a Major agitator and two Ely propeller agitators.
All machines are upgraded regularly to avoid breakdowns and downtime. There is no such thing as a quiet time for this highly-regarded contractor who will work around the clock during peak times to keep clients happy. Dennehy Brothers Agri Contractors & Plant Hire works within a 15-mile radius of Killorglin, taking in the surrounding areas of Milltown, Castlemaine and Beaufort. It retains long-time customers and attracts new ones by offering a professional, reliable, clean and value-for-money service.
“We have great customers, some of who have been with us from the very beginning. Dairy is huge in Mid-Kerry and many farmers have increased their herd size since the milk quota was lifted a few years ago. This has led to more work for us.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers for their continued support. We pride ourselves on our exceptional agri contracting service and look forward to providing them with the same great service for many more years to come.”
Brendan’s wife Siobhan looks after the bookkeeping, while his son Jonathan recently joined the family business on a full-time basis. Brendan and Brian’s brother, Michael, also helps out during busy times.
“Michael rows in during the summer and we have two or three other lads who are always available. We run a tight ship with our mission being to be the best in the business,” he concludes.
Dennehy Brothers Agri Contractors & Plant Hire
Noutinane, Killorglin, Co. Kerry.
Mobile: 087 7647533 (Brendan) / Mobile: 087 2679821 (Brian)
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 7 No 3, June/July 2019
