Lakeland's living legend lauded

There were joyous celebrations in Lakeland Dairies, Killeshandra, last week as staff there celebrated 40 years’ employment of a key employees.

Described by staff as a “living legend”, Dairy Division secretary, Aileen Morris, has been the welcoming face of the Lakeland Dairies Killeshandra facility since before the co-op was formed in 1990.

Throughout the years, the Gowna native has worked tirelessly to deliver for staff and is a mainstay at agricultural shows throughout the year, serving ice-cream to farmers and customers at events like the Virginia and Tullamore Shows.

Touched by the outpour of support on the day, Aileen explained how staying so long in Lakelands was an easy task. “I’ve enjoyed everyone’s company and the craic is good,” she laughed.

Thinking back to the beginning, she explained “when I came here there was only a few offices.

“When I was coming to work, our cows were on the road, cows in the town, you wouldn’t see that anymore. There has been a huge change here. There has been great growth in the business and in the rural area in my time here.”

Those who paid tribute to her at her celebration included Lakeland Dairies Killeshandra site manager, Petra Deane, who said Aileen “always has lots of words of wisdom for everybody”.

“I think it’s only right we mark the occasion today; I don’t think we have as big of a character on the site.”