Agriculture veteran honoured

The Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) has honoured a former president with an inaugural gold medal in recognition of his services to the industry.

Paddy (PV) McGee of Ardee, Co Louth, was elected president of the then Agricultural Implement Trade Association (Ireland) in 1967 and he presided over the change of name to the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association in 1969.

He and the business of McGee’s of Ardee made a considerable contribution to the development of Irish farm mechanisation. The firm pioneered the first combine harvester to be used in Ireland.

McGee’s of Ardee was also considered as an academy for producing farm machinery dealers. Many past FTMTA presidents and other prominent dealers in the industry began their careers at the firm.

Paddy McGee played an important role in the development of the FTMTA. He was involved as a European representative for the trade and initiated talks with BAGMA in Britain and CLIMMAR, the European dealers’ association in the 1970s.

Stressing that he was humbled by the honour, he said he accepted it posthumously on behalf of his late father who was really responsible for developing the business.

Minister of State John Browne and FTMTA president Simon Cross presented him with the medal at the recent farm machinery show in Punchestown Event Centre in Co Kildare.

Over 16,000 visitors attended the three-day event where 116 exhibitors showed off €20m worth of machinery and services.