Watch: 'Absolutely honoured' - new Macra president
The new president of Macra, Josephine O'Neill, has told Agriland that she is absolutely honoured" to be elected as the organisation's 40th national president.
O'Neill, from Callan Macra, Co. Kilkenny, won on a count of 82 to 53 against Conor Murphy, Whitechurch Macra, Co. Cork .
The secondary school teacher from Kilkenny will succeed outgoing president Elaine Houlihan following the election count at the Irish Farm Centre in Dublin today (Friday, April 4).
O'Neill said: "I’m so excited for what the next two years are going to bring, and I’m so looking forward to what this role will bring.
"It was a long campaign, but it was a huge honour to be out meeting the members. I’ve been to so many different events from karaoke, to foot golf, to table quizzes, meeting the members and having the craic".
She will officially take over the role at the Macra National AGM in Ennis, Co. Clare, on May 10, as will the three newly elected vice presidents
O'Neill is already thinking about what she is going to do as the organisation's 40th president.
She said: "I’ve always said that I want to develop Macra, and to grow Macra into a well-balanced organisation.
"We offer so much, and we would like to continue to ensure that everyone who can be a member of Macra, knows what Macra is.
"Whether it’s competitions, rural youth, ag affairs, there’s something for you in Macra."
O’Neill teaches home economics and Irish at Presentation De La Salle College, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. She believes that her background will help her to succeed in her new role.
She said: "I come from a beef and tillage farm.
"I’m a home economics teacher, I’m really proud of where I’m from, and really proud of the food that we produce, so I want to work to highlight the work that our young farmers do.
"I’ve loads of other ideas I want to develop the social side of Macra, it provides huge opportunities for our membership to meet new people, make new friends and gain new opportunities," she added.
Meanwhile Andrew Dunne, a software engineer and member of Mountmellick Macra in Laois, ran unopposed in the Leinster region, and was elected as Leinster vice president at the close of nominations in March.
The Northwest vice president position was also uncontested, with John Duffy, a poultry technical advisor and member of Three Parishes Macra in Monaghan also then elected at the close of nominations in March.
William Clancy, a forester and beef farmer, has been elected as the Munster vice president.
