Paul Hennessy has been appointed as the new Principal in the Teagasc Agricultural College in Kildalton, Pilltown, Co Kilkenny.

He takes over from Frank Murphy who has taken up a position as Curriculum Development and Standards Manager in Teagasc, after 14 years as principal in Kildalton.

Hennessy graduated with a Degree in Agricultural Science from UCD in 1978. He completed a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Farm Financial Management) from Waterford Institute of Technology in 2003.

He began his career as a Temporary Instructor in Agriculture with Co Kilkenny Committee of Agriculture, before being appointed as the Midlands Training Officer with the Farm Apprenticeship Board.

In 2000/02 he was also taught part-time in Gurteen Agricultural College. When FAB was assimilated into Teagasc in 2002, Paul was appointed as an Education & Training Specialist with the Curriculum Development Unit. In 2006, he was appointed as Teagasc National Placement Officer responsible for the management and co-ordination of student placements on host farms. In 2010 Paul took on additional responsibility as Quality Assurance Officer providing external authentication of standards for all Teagasc courses.

Congratulating Paul on his appointment, Head of Education in Teagasc, Tony Pettit said:” Student numbers on Teagasc run courses are at an all time high and Teagasc is fortunate to have someone of the calibre of Paul to lead the delivery of education courses in Kildalton agricultural college and to contribute to the national education management team in Teagasc to lead agricultural education in Ireland.”

Speaking after his appointment Hennessy said: “I look forward to working with the staff and students of Kildalton College and other stakeholders in delivering quality Fetac and Hetac courses in agriculture and horticulture. Quality education is critical to the sustainability of the agricultural industry and we have a wonderful range of agricultural and horticultural courses on offer at Kildalton College."