I’m still thinking about Nora Kelly and her 19 children who all appeared on the Late Late Show on Friday night to celebrate Nora’s 90th birthday.

What an elegant and articulate woman she is, and doesn’t she wear her years with vibrancy and grace.

I loved her lilac dress with its pearl detail, which matched her beautifully done hair to perfection. I don’t think I’ve seen a more elegant woman on television in a long time. So congratulations Nora on your birthday and here’s wishing you many more.

Speaking of impressive women, all of us know many who are first-class farmers. We know those who have established successful businesses using the resources of the family farm.

We also know it is important that the next generation of young women have role models in the agri sector they can look up to.

That is exactly what the Women & Agriculture Awards, which are generously sponsored by FBD Insurance, aim to do.

After a process that began last January and which will reach its conclusion next October in Brussels, we are delighted to announce the results of the fourth edition of these prestigious awards.

Who would have thought that purple potatoes would be the secret ingredient of a successful business?

Louth woman Maria Flynn, did so when she looked around to find a way of supplementing the income of the family’s potato and grain farm.

She started growing heritage potatoes, including Violetta, a purple potato which is full of antioxidants.

Now she can hardly keep up with demand from chefs across the country who are looking for something a little different. Congratulations to Maria who is the winner of the On-Farm Innovation Award.

If you haven’t tasted Valentia Ice Cream, you need to get yourself a scoop at the farm in Co Kerry. Not only is it delicious, you’ll be supporting the runner-up for the On-Farm Innovation Award, Caroline Daly.

Caroline’s story shows how a business plan doesn’t always work out at the first attempt. Sometimes you have to adapt and re-evaluate to make the business work.

This is what Caroline did and achieved something special with the family’s visitor centre and ice-cream parlour.

Educating young people about farming and food is very important and Linda Syron from Mullingar brought it to the next level when she established Mollie Moo’s Pet Farm. Winner of our Agri-Business Innovation award.

Linda shows what can be achieved when you look at your farm and find its potential for innovation.

Wexford woman, Anna Syme is runner-up in this category and she too looked at the farm and farm buildings and thought: what else can I do with this space?

When the farm buildings were built a long time ago, I doubt if anyone thought they would house a yoga studio.

Congratulations to everyone and thank you for being so hospitable to our judges, Carolyn O’Hara of FBD Insurance and Katherine O’Leary of Irish Country Living.

Maria Flynn, the winner of the On-farm Innovation category, will represent Ireland at the EU Innovation Prize for Women Farmers, which takes place next October in Brussels. Best of luck to her.

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