The largest producer of malted barley in the world, Boortmalt and the largest purchaser of malted barley in Ireland, Diageo, have announced the winners of the Irish Malting Barley Excellence Awards (2024 season).

Liam Day from Whitegate, Co. Cork has taken the top prize at this year's awards, announced today (Thursday, February 27), awarded with the Guinness Perpetual Cup for Malting Barley Excellence.

Accepting the award on behalf of his son, Liam Day Sr said: “It's a huge honour in our industry and a real testament to the hard work that goes into growing top-quality barley. We are grateful to stand alongside such talented growers, all of whom help keep our standards high.

“We all know how challenging the past few years has been, but days like this remind me why we do what we do—pushing for excellence and producing a crop that’s enjoyed around the world. We’re all part of a proud tradition of Irish barley farming, and Liam is looking forward to building on that legacy for years to come.”

The annual awards brought together the best of the over 900 growers from the main barley supply regions of Ireland and the best seed producers. 

The awards recognise and celebrate the work, tradition, and craft of Ireland’s barley growers as well as promoting sustainability in the supply chain.

The Guinness Perpetual Cup for Malting Barley Excellence has been awarded to barley growers in Ireland since 1954.

The other regional growers who were shortlisted for the overall award were:

Richard Carolan, Gambol Hall, Stradbally, Co. Laois;
James Miller, Rathcrea, Vicarstown, Co. Laois;
Kevin and John Gorman. Johnstown, Maganey, Co. Kildare;
Dan and John Pender, Co. Carlow; 
Shane & Tom O’Brien, Midleton, Co. Cork;
Donal and Pat Murphy Bacolo Farms, Ballycarney, Co. Wexford; 
Pat Nolan, Marley, Co. Wexford;
Marc Gethings, Kiloughrim, Caim, Co. Wexford;
Tom Barron, Castlebanny, Mullinavat, Co. Kilkenny;
Charles Kavanagh Drumgoold Farm Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford;
Paddy Byrne, Killurin, Co. Wexford.

Operations director at Diageo’s St. James’s Gate Brewery, Aidan Crowe said: “Diageo is glad to come together with Boortmalt to host these awards, recognising and celebrating our local malting barley producers and suppliers.

“A consistent, high-quality supply of Irish malting barley is essential to our business and is a critical ingredient in the great taste of Guinness that people love in markets all over the world.

"I think Arthur Guinness in 1759 would be proud to see how far we have come while continuing to honour his commitment to quality and we could not do that without our suppliers.”