Cork dominates Macra leadership awards list

Three of the six finalists in Macra’s National Leadership Awards are from Cork and they are all women. The others are from Leitrim, Cavan and Offaly.

Eilís Ahern from the Carrigaline branch in the Seandun region; Joan Marie Healy, Berrings and Muskerry; and Marie Murphy, Freemount and Avondhu, are the Cork finalists.

Contending with them for the top honours are Colm Stenson, South Leitrim; Gráinne O’Reilly, Ramor and Cavan; and Noel Duffy, Ferbane/Banagher, Offaly.

Each finalist went through a challenging interview process before being selected to proceed to the final interview stage.

The awards are organised as part of Macra’s Leadership Training Programme, which adds to the range of learning opportunities available to members at club, county and national levels.

The aim is to provide opportunities for members to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes necessary for leadership positions either in Macra or in other voluntary roles or future occupations.

The national final will take place on February 2 in the Irish Farm Centre, Dublin.

Two of last year’s three winners, Kieran McEvoy and Gemma Goulding, were from the same club, Mountmellick in Laois.