Behind the Brand – Compsey Creamery
“Around here, people stay”
Compsey Creamery will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2025. Many of the team have been there since the very beginning. While much has changed over the last 40 years, some things remain the same – a dedication to craftsmanship and quality lies at the heart of the business and always has; “Compsey does artisan at s cale”. Today the creamery produces a range of cream cheeses, soft cheeses, sour cream and yogurts of the highest quality for sale at home and abroad, using excellent local dairy produce.
Compsey is part of Mullinahone Co-op that is very much at the heart of the local community, employing 82 people, 60 of whom live within a 10km radius of the creamery. Many local families have several members working there.
Maggie O’Brien
Maggie joined Compsey 25 years ago. For her it’s all about the customers and her bubbly personality endears her to them. She does her utmost to ensure they receive the best service possible, and customers appreciate her for it. At the start of every week Maggie carefully plans production for the week ahead to ensure customers receive their orders freshly made the following week. Everything is produced to order, and nothing goes to waste.
Timmy Gayson
Timmy joined 32 years ago and is a stalwart at Compsey. He oversees Operations but sees himself very much as one of the team. He is highly respected not just for his knowledge and experience, but because he is loyal, hardworking and is always happy to roll up his sleeves and pitch in wherever needed. He has a happy go lucky nature, and nothing is ever too much trouble. When people have questions “Timmy is your man”. It was a proud moment for Timmy in 2016 when his son Paul followed in his footsteps and joined Compsey. Paul specialises in production but like his father he is a good all-rounder and happy to help wherever he can. When not at work, Paul enjoys playing music.
Ross Holden
Ross joined the business in 2015 nearly 10 years ago. He is highly skilled in the craft of cheesemaking and something of a perfectionist. Knowing the right time to cut the curd is a judgement call and one of the secrets behind great cheese, and Ross is an expert. Though still a loyal Kilkenny man when it comes to hurling, Ross has made his home in this corner of Tipperary. He and his wife, Kate, recently celebrated the birth of their first child, a baby girl Avabelle.
Blas na hÉireann Award
In October 2024 the teams unwavering focus on craftsmanship and quality was recognised when Compsey Creamery’s Full Fat Soft Cheese won a silver Blas na hÉireann award and its Luxury Soft Cream Cheese won a bronze award. Dedication to quality and respect for time-honoured traditions in cheese-making ultimately deliver a great tasting product.
French connections
Compsey supplies customers in foodservice and food manufacturing across Ireland, UK, France and Spain. This year (2025) Compsey will for the first time showcase its products at SIRHA in Lyon, the leading event in Europe for the international foodservice and hospitality industry.
Connections with France go back a long way! Compsey creamery takes its name from the local townland. The word Compsey originates from the Normans who settled in the area in the 1100’s. It is their version of the ancient Irish name for the local townland, Cuimseanach, which means an enclosed valley (the well-known valley of Slievenamon). Centuries later the people of Compsey Creamery are showcasing their award-winning products in France!
