The race to determine who will serve as Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA) president for the next two years is underway, with the outcome to be decided next week (Wednesday, December 18).
There are two candidates in contention for the position: Dan Lynam and Sean McNamara, both from Co. Westmeath.
McNamara currently holds the position of ICSA president and is vying to serve a second term. He is a sheep, beef, and suckler farmer from Lismacaffrey in Co. Westmeath.
McNamara was previously the sheep chair of the association, before running against former president Dermot Kelleher, who was going for the position for the second time in 2022.
Lynam is a suckler, sheep, and tillage farmer from Castletown Geoghegan in Co. Westmeath. He is the current chair of Westmeath ICSA.
Lynam had been actively involved with the association for many years, and the drystock farmer previously served as ICSA national treasurer in 2017.
The election will take place in the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise, Co. Laois, with proceedings to begin at 7:00p.m.
All elected members of the association’s national executive, comprising representatives from across the country, are eligible to vote.
The national executive has over 100 members drawn from all over the country on the basis of four members for each county.
Each candidate will make a presentation to the association’s national executive which will be followed by a question and answer session with the candidates.
The vote will follow the presentations, with a result expected at 9:00p.m the same night.