The race to be the next president of Macra na Feirme is under way and the dates for the election hustings around the country have been announced.

So far, two candidates have declared their intention to be the 36th president of the association and replace current president Sean Finan.

Who is running?

Odile Evans, a UCD graduate and journalist, declared her intention to run in January.

From a dairy farm in Co Wexford, Odile is the current Leinster vice-president of Macra.

Also hoping to be the next Macra president is Cork man James Healy, who also declared in January.

Healy is currently an associate member of Macra’s national council and was previously the association’s Munster vice-president.

James comes from a small holding, but his uncle is a dairy farmer and he works full-time as a production supervisor with an electronics company.

All meetings will commence at 8pm.

Dates for election hustings:

  • Tuesday 7 March – Bush Hotel, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim
  • Thursday 9 March – Vienna Woods Hotel, Co Cork
  • Monday 13 March – Springhill Hotel, Co Kilkenny
  • Wednesday 15 March – McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, Co Mayo
  • Tuesday 21 March – Kilmurray Lodge, Co Limerick
  • Thursday 23 March – Newgrange Hotel, Navan, Co Meath
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