Farm leaders to get Fitzgerald award for community service
On Tuesday night in Adare, Co Limerick, their work will be recognised in a commemoration of the late Paddy Fitzgerald, former Munster vice-president of IFA and a former vice-chairman of the Cork Marts IMP Group, who devoted a lifetime to the organisation of farmers, up to his death.
A dairy and livestock farmer at Caherconlish, Co Limerick, Paddy was one of the founder members of the NFA in the 1950s, and became known the length and breath of the country for his energy and sincerity in working towards the betterment of farmers and their families through organisation of the sector to have a strong representative voice.
Each of next week’s nine will be presented with a scroll and a cheque, and the Fitzgerald Memorial Award (which is supported by FBD Insurance) and a specially sculpted medal and a handsome cheque will be presented to one the nine, by IFA president, John Dillon.
Also attending will be Munster Vice-president, Donal Kelly, who is a former winner of the award, and IFA General Secretary and FBD Chairman, Michael Berkery.
The nine being honoured next week are Jim Enright, Callura House, Cratloe (representing IFA’s Clare region); Andrew McCullough, Manch, Ballineen (Cork Central); George Buckley, Rockvale, Castletownroche (Cork North); Fachtna O’Callaghan, Barleyhill, Rosscarbery (Cork West); Michael Murphy, Slaheeny, Kilgarvan (Kerry); John O’Shea, Court, Kildimo (Limerick); Seamus Ryan, Asthanboy, Drombane, Thurles (Tipperary North); Paddy Fitzgerald, Harley Park, Callan (Tipperary South); and John O’Mahony, Kilmore, Tallow (Waterford).
