James Lynch, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare has been elected as the new chairman of Dairygold co-op, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Bertie O' Leary.

Tom Feeney, Ballyheaphy, Araglen, Co Cork secured the position of vice chairman.

James Lynch is a dairy farmer from Sixmilebridge, Co Clare and was first elected to the Dairygold board in 2008 and has served as the society’s vice chairman. His farm was among the first of Dairygold’s Monitor Farms. James Lynch also hosted a visit to his farm by China’s current Premier, Xi Jinping, in February 2012.

Tom Feeney was elected to the board in 2009.