Macra na Feirme’s young leaders honoured with national awards

TWO of the winners of this year’s Macra na Feirme National Leadership Awards are from Co Cork, with the third recipient coming from Roscommon.

The awards, sponsored by Bank of Ireland, recognise the leadership skills of Macra members within their clubs and the wider community.

This year’s winners are Sean Finan, Castlerea Club (Roscommon), Margaret Galvin, Crookstown (Muskerry), and Alan Jagoe, Carrigaline (Seandun), both from Co Cork.

Sean Finan is a site engineer. He was the 2009 Roscommon young farmer of the year and represents the county on Macra’s national council.

Margaret Galvin has a degree in Business Information Systems and works in Cork. She has been a regional officer in Macra for the past eight years and is the current Muskerry chairperson.

Alan Jagoe is a dairy, beef and tillage farmer. He is currently Seandun chairperson, Carrigaline club president and a member of Macra’s strategic review committee

This year’s six finalists were judged by a panel that included Margaret Nolan, Bank of Ireland Business Banking; Sean Campbell, chief executive, Foroige; former Macra president Sean Eustace; and Tipperary hurling manager Liam Sheedy, the guest speaker.

Macra president Michael Gowing said leadership training was a vital and important element of its programme. “It is important in today’s environment to encourage and recognise people who are making a difference and leading in their community,” he said.

David O’Neill, Head of Sectors, Bank of Ireland Business Banking, said Macra plays a positive role in the economic and social development of the country. The awards recognise and encourage the achievement of excellence by young people in their role as Macra leaders throughout the country.

The three winners were presented with specially commissioned commemorative trophies as well as travel bursaries worth €2,000 each.