Macra awards recognise leadership

THE three winners of the 2007 Bank of Ireland Business Banking-Macra na Feirme national leadership awards are from South Tipperary, Meath and Wicklow.

Among them is the current FBD young farmer of the future title holder, Eddie O’Donnell, from Dundrum, Co Tipperary.

South Tipperary’s representative on Macra’s national council, he is also a member of the national executive and treasurer of the organising committee for the 2007 Macra annual conference.

The other award winners are Dara Englishby of Athboy, Co Meath, a former Macra national secretary; and Dara Kavanagh, Ballycoog, Co Wicklow, chairman of Macra’s agricultural affairs committee.

The winners were presented with specially commissioned trophies and travel bursaries worth €2,000 at a reception in Dublin recently.

The other finalists were Michael Gowing, Portlaoise; Denis Drennan, Kilkenny City, and Carmel Brennan of Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny The awards recognise the leadership skills of Macra members within their clubs and the wider community.

Macra president Colm Markey said the awards recognise club and county leaders’ achievements within the organisation and provide an incentive for developing club programmes.

Vincent Fennelly, Head of Bank of Ireland Business Banking, said the awards recognise and encourage excellence in young Macra leaders countrywide.

He said the bank is proud to be associated with the scheme.