Macra appoints chief executive

MACRA na Feirme, whose annual conference begins in Clonmel tonight, has announced the long awaited appointment of a new chief executive. He is Edmond Connolly, Aughnabroone, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Waterford, the current assistant chief executive of South Tipperary County Enterprise Board.

Mr Connolly, who succeeds Damian McDonald, who was appointed chief executive of Sport Horse Ireland earlier this year, comes from a strong farming background and will take up his new position after Christmas.

He holds an honours degree in Agricultural Science from UCD and started his working life as procurement manager for a meat (lamb) export plant in Co Wexford. He subsequently spent five years working with O’Sullivan and Company agricultural consultants and was a founding author of the Irish Farmers Handbook.