It’s lashing rain outside but Irish Country Living is ensconced in Maura Canning’s comfortable kitchen with its oak units and cream and terracotta tiles. The family’s interest in showing cattle and sheep is obvious, with lots of winning rosettes on display.

This Galway woman has recently been elected chairman of the IFA National Farm Family and Social Affairs Committee and it’s a job she’s looking forward to and feels well qualified for.

“Ours is a three-generation farm family, so I know the issues and I know what matters to farm families. I will do my best to get them highlighted and addressed.”

Maura lives in the parish of Mullagh and is married to Seamus. They have two children; Craig 15 and Tegan 12. The couple farm in their own right and with Maura’s mam and dad, Pakie and Una. Seamus, who is part of the famous Canning hurling family, also makes 100% handmade hurleys.

The farm enterprise is sucklers, with weanlings and stores sold for export. They also have a purebred Charolais and commercial sheep flock.

After school, Maura spent a year in Mountbellew Agricultural College and she knew farming was the career for her.

“I am an only child and dad always brought me to the mart. I did a secretarial course, but it wasn’t for me.”

20 years of involvement

Maura Canning joined IFA in 1993 when a branch was being established in her home parish of Mullagh. She was promptly elected branch secretary.

As a branch officer, Maura was entitled to attend the monthly county executive meeting and she really enjoyed them. Then in 2004, she ran for county secretary. This was a big step up as, with 77 branches, Galway has the most branches in the country. The 4,500 members cover every farming enterprise, all soil types and farming conditions.

“In the beginning it was pretty daunting. I was often the only women at the executive. I’d walk into the room thinking the men were saying I wouldn’t be able for the job. I had to overcome that feeling of inferiority.”

In 20 years, Maura has seen only a marginal increase in the number of women involved in IFA. However, she is hopeful that the new rule whereby the fourth branch delegate to the county executive has to be a woman will bring more into the association.

“Many younger farm women are working off-farm, they have young children and just don’t have the time to be involved. But it’s vital they have their voices heard. At meetings, women have a tendency not to stand in when photographs are taken, but they should. They need to be more visible in the association.”

Leadership ambitions

Maura went on to be elected chairman of the Galway Farm Family and Social Affairs Committee. She rejects any notion that this could be seen as corralling women into a cul-de-sac.

“I wouldn’t see it that way at all. There’s a serious set of issues that impact on the farm family and they get the focus they need at our committee. These include succession planning, Fair Deal, pensions and mental health. Without the work of our committee, they’d slip through the net. And, remember, there’s no ban on men becoming members of this committee,” she says.

Last year, Maura decided to put herself forward to head up the committee nationally. To help prepare for the job, she completed a Leadership and Politics FETAC Level 6 course through Galway Rural Development.

“I had classes every Saturday for six months. It was a big commitment but I knew it would help me lead the committee. It gave me confidence, especially with speaking in public.”

For her first few months as chairman, Maura wants to get to every county to introduce herself and promote the issues her committee deals with. What’s also taking up a lot of her time is Mind our Farm Families, a project in association with Pieta House.

“There’s a high rate of suicide among men living in rural areas, then there’s the isolation that many people feel, plus many families are in serious financial stress. We knew setting up a helpline that farming people could relate to would work, so we got involved with Pieta House to make this happen.”

The helpline, which is manned by people who understand rural issues, was lunched three months ago.

“If needs be, people can be referred to their local Pieta House – there’s eight now and that number is growing. A big part of my job is to create awareness of this and let people know that it’s okay not to be okay.”

On Fair Deal, Maura says her committee will be reviewing how the scheme is operating to ensure that farming families are being treated fairly.

“As to pensions, this is a constant issue we hear in our calls everyday. Everyone needs to be aware of their contribution history.”

Dress to impress

In her spare time, Maura loves country dancing and is a big fan of Mike Denver.

“We go dancing most weekends, but that might have to take a back seat from now on. I find it’s a great way to keep fit. I’m also involved with the Galway East Life Support group to promote awareness about depression. And I’m a member of the Galway Childcare Committee.”

Tall and slim, it’s hard to miss Maura with the distinctive flash of ‘hot chilli’ colour in her hair.

“That’s down to my friend Marie who has a hair salon. She decided to do something different with my hair and it’s now my signature style. It has one great advantage – if anyone forgets my name, they’ll remember my hair.”

When it comes to clothes, Maura likes colours that make an impact.

“I like a bit of style and I love shopping. I like nice jeans, short dresses and well-cut suits. I like to dress for the occasion.”

And there’ll be many of those over the next four years. Good luck to Maura in her new role.

About Maura

Favourite TV programme: Ear to the Ground.

Reads: Irish Country Living.

Admires: Mairead McGuinness – she’s a leader.

Music: Mike Denver has a great dance set and I love Galway Girl.

Sportsperson: Has to be my brother-in-law Joe Canning

Unwinds: I go dancing, it has a social aspect and lets you forget everything for two hours.

Film: The Wizard of Oz. We did it in school and I always sing along.