On Tuesday, 07 April 2015, the 35th President of Macra na Feirme was declared.
Seán Finan, a Roscommon native, is a founding member of Castlerea Macra, and is currently the National Treasurer and North West Vice-President.
His inauguration will take place at the Macra AGM in Loughrea, Co. Galway on 09 May; his presidency will last until May 2017.
Speaking at the announcement in the Irish Farm Centre, Dublin, the President-elect had the following to say:
I’m honoured and delighted to have been elected the 35th President of Macra na Feirme today. I have enjoyed every minute of the campaign over the last few months, travelling around the country, meeting members and listening to their views and opinions of our great organisation. I look forward to serving the members of Macra na Feirme as president over the next 2 years …
I’m passionate about farming and about the future for young farmers. Macra na Feirme as the only representative body for young farmers and rural youth in this country should be proud of its achievements especially in the context of the recent CAP young farmer measures. I will fight for all young farmers and rural youth to ensure that they can grow and develop their businesses, making a vital contribution to agriculture and the rural economy.
According to the Macra website,
Results were also announced in the vice-presidential elections for Macra’s three regions, Munster, Leinster and the North West.
Caroline O’Dowd from South Sligo Macra was declared the winner in the North-West race while Odile Evans from Johnstown/Coolgreaney Macra club has been elected as Leinster vice-president. Gerard Griffin from Mitchelstown Macra club, Avondhu, Cork was elected for the Munster position.
The three new vice-presidents will take up their positions alongside president-elect, Sean, at Macra’s AGM.1
Macra na Feirme is a voluntary organisation which creates a social spaces for rural Irish youths between the ages of 17 and 30.