Co. Tipperary-based O’Donnell Livestock Transport is a third generation haulage business specialising in pig transportation. Established 70 years ago by Johnny O’Donnell, it is now run by his son Michael with the help of his son Tadhg.
The O’Donnell family has been providing an unrivalled livestock transport service since Johnny, who is still going strong at 90, started out in the mid-1940s drawing pigs to the old bacon factory in Cappoquin, Co. Waterford. When Michael entered the family business about 35 years ago, he purchased an articulated lorry and trailer and began transporting sheep from the south Tipperary area to Duffy’s (now Kepak) in Hacketstown, Co. Carlow and Lyon’s in Drumlish, Co. Longford.
But since the early 1990s, the focus has shifted back to pig transportation. O’Donnell Livestock Transport undertakes nine weekly runs to the Rosderra plants in Roscrea and Edenderry as well as to Staunton Foods in Timoleague, West Cork for three Co. Tipperary-based piggeries – Walshe-Hanrahan (JK Walshe and TJ Hanrahan) in Aherlow, Woodville Pig Farm (Tim Cullinane) in Toomevara and Seskin Farm (Jack O’Donnell) in Kilsheelan, Clonmel.
“We started drawing pigs for the same three pig farms over 20 years ago and have enjoyed excellent working relationships with them ever since,” explains Michael’s wife, Mary.
“We also do a small amount of cattle transport. Michael buys and sells weanlings, and is a well-known cattle dealer. In addition to this, we have our own suckler herd. We farm 30 acres of our own and rent a further 70 acres.”
Michael is joined in the transport business by his son Tadhg, who has become the main driver in recent years. Another son, Diarmuid, is studying for an agricultural degree in WIT (Waterford Institute of Technology), but helps out on the farm when he’s around and spends his summer holidays cutting silage with his uncle and agricultural contractor, Patrick O’Donnell. Diarmuid is an accomplished rugby player with Kilfeacle and has represented Munster at underage level. Michael and Mary’s only daughter, Niamh, also does her fair share on the farm.
“The lads were reared on farming and always took a great interest in it. Tadhg also has a flair for trucks and does most of the driving now,” continues Mary.
O’Donnell Livestock Transport operates from the townland of Moanreagh, which is situated between Tipperary town and the beautifully secluded Glen of Aherlow. The business also happens to be located in the middle of the Golden Vale, which is regarded as the best land in Ireland for dairy farming.
Michael runs a 131-registered DAF 5505 and a smaller DAF 55, which has an aluminium body and is used locally. The flagship truck pulls a Pezzaioli straight frame trailer, which was purchased new from Fenton Truck & Trailer in Fermoy, Co. Cork last October. This state-of-the-art trailer is divided into three individual lifts and is designed with a deeper roof to accommodate large beef cattle.
Both trucks, with their eye-catching red and white livery, are always immaculately turned out.
“We like to keep them up-to-date and change every three to five years. We bought the bigger truck from John O’Mahony in DAF Truck Services in Cork two years ago. It’s going very well and both Michael and Tadhg are very happy with it.
“We are extremely busy, so it gets a lot of use. We were busy right through the recession too, but the high fuel costs meant that profit margins were low. Thankfully, the price of diesel has fallen dramatically this year and has made life that bit easier for people in our line of business,” Mary says.
The O’Donnell’s pride themselves in providing a professional livestock transport service which comes from 70 years’ experience in the business. Every animal is transported with great care, guaranteeing a safe and comfortable journey. A strong emphasis on animal welfare ensures that pigs are stress-free during the journey to slaughter. As farmers themselves, the O’Donnell’s understand the needs of the livestock they are transporting.
And it goes without saying that the trailers are cleaned thoroughly after every trip.
The fleet is also used to transport hay and straw for customers in the Wexford area to the West of Ireland during and after the harvest season. The O’Donnell’s also draw slurry away from the aforementioned Walshe-Hanrahan piggery, which is right beside them in Aherlow, for spreading on nearby fields.
In conclusion, Mary says: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers for their support over the years. We look forward to continue offering them the same great service for many more years to come.”
O’Donnell Livestock Transport
Moanreagh,
Tipperary,
Co. Tipperary.
Michael’s mobile: 086 2530720
Tadhg’s mobile: 087 9184897
Email: [email protected]
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 3 No 4, May 2015
