The three winners of the national leadership awards were announced on 2 February at a reception in the Irish Farm Centre in Dublin. The winners were: Colm Stenson, South Leitrim Macra; Eilis Ahern, Carrigaline Macra, Seandun, Cork; and Marie Murphy, Freemount Macra, Avondhu, Cork.

Finalists

The other finalists were: Noel Duffy, Ferbane/Banagher Macra, Offaly; Grainne O’Reilly, Ramor Macra, Cavan; and Joan Marie Healy, Berrings Macra, Muskerry, Cork.

Macra na Feirme national president Seán Finan said: “Congratulations to this year’s national leadership award winners.

‘‘This competition recognises the hard work and commitment of our young leaders who play a major role in our organisation and who often go on to hold positions in other national organisations. Dating back to 1982, previous winners of the competition include current Government ministers and business leaders.”

Judging

This year’s six finalists were judged by a panel including Peter Byrne, CEO of the FRS Network; Mary Cunningham, director of the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI); and Neil Keane, president of the Agricultural Science Association (ASA).

The three winners of the leadership awards were presented with specially commissioned commemorative trophies and will represent Macra at various international travel events in 2016.