West Cork man wins 2026 Paddy Fitzgerald Award

West Cork dairy farmer, Corney Buckley has been named the overall winner of the IFA 2026 Paddy Fitzgerald Award, celebrating his work and volunteering efforts.

2026 Paddy Fitzgerald Winner Corney Buckley, representing West Cork IFA, being presented with Paddy Fitzgerald Award by MEP Billy Kelleher. Also pictured are IFA President Francie Gorman, John Buckley, Chair FBD Trust Michael Berkery, Chair Paddy Fitzgerald Trustees Martin Stapleton and FBD Manager  for Skibbereen Sean Casey. Front row; Corney’s wife Anne, children and grandchildren. File picture 

Corney Buckley from West Cork has been named the overall winner of the Paddy Fitzgerald Awards for 2026.

Mr Buckley has held various roles in Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) over the last 20 years, including as Chair of West Cork IFA. He currently sits on the IFA Rural Development Committee. Mr Buckley runs a dairy farm in Aughaville, Bantry, Co Cork, with his son John.

IFA Munster Regional Chair, Conor O’Leary, said the Paddy Fitzgerald Awards embody the ethos of volunteerism and dedication of people who seek to enhance their local community.

“The cornerstone of IFA’s work is the willingness of farmers to give of their time in representing their fellow farmers. It is only fitting that this should be recognised and I would like to thank FBD for their support for this prestigious event,” Mr O’Leary said.

Speaking on his win, Mr Buckley said: “I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of the farmers in West Cork. Last month we marked 60 years since the beginning of the Farmers Rights’ Campaign from Bantry. It has been an honour to continue the work of the 16 men who joined NFA President Rickard Deasy on that 217-mile march to Dublin.” 

Chairman of the Trustees, Martin Stapleton, said the awards are an opportunity to celebrate those who put themselves forward on behalf of their neighbours and their communities.

“Every rural community can point to achievements that would not be possible without people stepping up to make it a better place. The Paddy Fitzgerald Awards celebrate those who can say they left their mark.” 

FBD Trust Chairman Michael Berkery said: “Volunteers like the late Paddy Fitzgerald laid the foundations for the establishment of FBD, an Irish-owned insurance company with deep roots in rural Ireland.

Paddy Fitzgerald was an inspirational NFA/IFA farm leader in Munster and a strong advocate of farmer shareholders owning their business beyond the farm gate through co-operatives, and was actively involved in collecting the initial share capital that was crucial in the establishment of FBD Insurance.” 

Continuing, he said: “It is fitting and proper that our generation should acknowledge the wonderful legacy we have inherited from the voluntary efforts of Paddy Fitzgerald and his contemporary farm leaders.

The Paddy Fitzgerald Awards are an ideal recognition of community volunteerism, and FBD is delighted to play our part in supporting the awards established in 1998, and now in their 28th year.”