Eamon to contest Macra presidency
The 29-year-old is a member of the Athboy branch, and is well known in Macra circles, especially on the competitions front, where he has won seven national titles in debating, impromptu debating, Capers, Dairy stockjudging, and the Know your Ag Quiz.
Eamon is currently the National Competitions Chair, and also sits on the National Executive of the organisation.
A suckler farmer, he also works in the National Cattle Breeding Centre in Enfield.
Announcing his candidacy, Eamon said: “Over the past 13 years I have gained so much from Macra, both friends and experiences that can never be forgotten.
“I’m delighted to be able to now run to represent the organisation that I’ve gained so much from.”
The elections are scheduled to take place in April with the new president taking over the reins in early May. The term will run until 2017.
Kieran O’Dowd from Gurteen, Co Sligo, a member of South Sligo Macra since 2004 and formerly National Chairman and North West Vice-President, was declared the 34th Macra president in April 2013.
During his tenure he has worked to address and introduce a variety of measures such as taxation, lease arrangements and the promotion of collaboration, partnership and share farming.
Mr O’Dowd took over from Alan Jagoe a dairy, beef, and tillage farmer from Carrigaline, Co Cork, who was elected president in April 2011.
If elected, Eamon would be the 35th Macra president. The first, William Bland from Co Laois, was in office from 1946 to 1949.
Patrick Quinlan was Cork’s first president, taking the term from 1953 to 1955.
Other presidents have included Tipperary’s PI Meagher (1955 to 1957), Limerick’s Michael Noonan (1963 to 1965), Cork’s Declan Martin (1971 to 1973), Tommy Sheahan (1973 to 1975), also from Cork, Limerick’s Richard Kennedy (1983 to 1985), and Cork’s Catherine Buckley (2007 to 2009).
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