Cork girl, Deirdre Healy made it to the final six of the Macra na Feirme Bank of Ireland National Leadership Awards, however, she was pipped at the post as she came runner up to the three winners of this year’s awards.
The three winners of this year’s Macra na Feirme National Leadership Awards, sponsored by Bank of Ireland Business Banking, were announced at a special reception in Bank of Ireland Business Banking Offices in Dublin on Tuesday, the 18th January.
This year’s winners are:
· Michelle O’Callaghan, Knockraha Macra Club, Seandun, Cork
· Mary Brennan, Kilkenny City Macra Club, Kilkenny
· James Boland, Ballycoog Macra club, Wicklow
The other finalists in the competition were:
· Padraig Og Mulligan, Midway Macra club, Sligo
· Deirdre Healy, Glanmire Macra club, Seandun, Cork
· Sean Doorley, Tarmonbarry Macra club Roscommon
The National Leadership Awards recognise the leadership skills of Macra members within their clubs and the wider community. The competition raises the level and standard of leadership in Macra and provides an incentive for the development of club programmes.
This year’s six finalists were judged by a panel including Margaret Nolan from sponsors Bank of Ireland Business Banking, Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link and Sean Campbell, CEO of Foroige. Noel Brett, CEO of the Road Safety Authority was the guest speaker on the night, and he spoke to members about being leaders in today’s society, particularly in promoting road safety.
Michael Gowing, Macra na Feirme National President said that leadership training was a vital and important element of the Macra na Feirme programme. “The Leadership Awards are important as they recognise the achievements of club and county leaders within our organisation and provide a real incentive for the development of club programmes. It is important in today’s environment to encourage and recognise people who are making a difference and leading in their community. We are privileged to have Bank of Ireland Business Banking on board to support us in this area.”
Referring to the success of the Leadership Awards scheme, Margaret Nolan, Bank of Ireland Business Banking said: “Macra plays such a positive role in the economic and social development of the country and the National Leadership Awards recognise and encourage the achievement of excellence by young people in their role as Macra leaders throughout the country. Bank of Ireland Business banking is proud to be associated with Macra in fostering and promoting the leadership training of its vibrant young membership.”
The three winners were presented with specially commissioned commemorative trophies as well as travel bursaries worth €2, 000 each.
Runner up at the Bank of Ireland National Leadership Awards was Deirdre Healy, Glanmire Macra club, Seandun with Margaret Nolan of sponsors, Bank of Ireland Business Banking, and Michael Gowing, Macra National President
