Cassells in bid for macra na ferime presidency

Athboy Macra member Eamon Cassells is one of the four candidates for the national presidency of the national Macra organisation. The thirty-year old from Gillstown is a laboratory technician at the National Cattle Breeding Centre and part-time suckler farmer.
He is currently the National Council representative for Meath, a member of the National Executive, and chairperson of the Competitions Sub Committee.
A member of Athboy Macra since 2002, he has been treasurer, chairperson, chair of Hall Development Committee, chair of 50th Anniversary Committee, and in college, founded DIT Macra na Feirme. He has also held a number of positions at county level, including president, and is a member of Blue Jean Country Queen Festival organising committee. He received a National Leadership Award in 2014. Eamon has won numerous national titles at national level in Macra debating, stockjudging, capers and quiz competitions, and is involved in numerous community activities outside of Macra.
These include being a member of Athboy Buyers group; the Irish Parthenaise Breeders Association; Athboy IFA, and the local pantomime and drama societies.
A member of IFDA, he sat on national council in 2008. Eamon played on the Irish men’s Ultimate frisbee team at the 2011 World Championships in Italy and 2013 European championships in Spain, and coached the Irish U-17 boys squad at 2012 world Junior championships in Dublin
He has been adjudicator for Concern school debates, a member of DIT Student Union council, and a founder of DIT Debating Society
Eamon says: “I have been in Macra since I was 17 but I have been surrounded by it for a much longer time than that. I literally grew up with Macra and I am truly, truly passionate about this organisation. As somebody who is working full time in the agri-industry, I feel I am well aware of the issues facing young Irish farmers and as such am best suited to represent this generation of young farmers at national and European level. I will fight for Macra with every ounce of my being if elected and do my utmost to fulfil the role of national president to the very best of my ability.”
Eamon’s campaign issues include continuing the advancement and expansion of competitions in the organisation and develop their use as a promotional tool and as an
income stream through sponsorship; to engage more with the general public in promoting positive farming stories, ensuring that the consumer sees the supplier in a positive light; increased interaction with Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster; continuing the good work of our Rural Youth committee in engaging with the membership to promote positive mental health and the introduction of mental health officers in each county; the introduction of a testicular cancer awareness programme - the most common cancer in young men; mature discussion of sexual health and making information available to members; further development and expansion of the Land Mobility programme and implementation of the recommendations of the Land Mobility Report; more openness and transparency in the running of the national organisation; engaging with our past members more.
“There is a great level of goodwill towards the organisation and there is a wealth of experience available to us that we are not utilising,” he believes.
There are four candidates for the position of national president Eamon Cassells, Séan Finan, Roscommon, Paddy Delaney from Portlaoise and Michelle O’Callaghan, Cork. Macra branches have to return their ballot papers to headquarters in Bluebell on 1pm on Tuesday 7th April, and the result will be known later that afternoon.

MACRA MEMBERS GO TO THE POLLS ON TUESDAY

The Macra na Feirme Presidential and Vice Presidential elections will take place in the Irish Farm Centre in Dublin on the 7th April  and the elected candidates will take up office at the Macra AGM on the 9th May. The deadline for ballots is 1pm on the 7th April in Macra national office.

All Macra members and the general public are welcome to attend the count which takes place in the Irish Farm Centre in Bluebell, Dublin 12. Ballots are opened in front of the Returning Officer and the independent scrutineer and also those attending the count. Votes are counted and the result announced. If you can’t attend the count, you can follow updates on the Macra Twitter account #macraelection (twitter.com/MacranaFeirme)

Each Macra club has one vote. Ballot papers have been issued to each affiliated club which they must return by 1pm on Tuesday, 7th April. The proportional representation system is used to elect the President and Vice-Presidents.

The candidates are:

Candidates for National President

Eamon Cassells, Gillstown, Athboy, Co Meath

Paddy Delaney, Cremorgan, Timahoe, Portlaoise

Séan Finan, Ballinlough, Castlerea, Co Rosommon

Michelle O’Callaghan, Shanballyrea, Knockraha, Co Cork

Leinster Vice President Candidates

Noel Duffy, Athlone road, Ferbane, Co Offaly

Odile Evans, Plattenstown, Arklow, Co Wicklow

Aoife Lanigan, Rosemount, Newpark Drive, Kilkenny

Munster Vice President Candidate

Gerard Griffin, Barnahown, Araglen, Fermoy, Co Cork

North West Vice President Candidates

Ray Gilmartin, Corlough, Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim

Caroline O’Dowd, Gurteen, Ballymote, Co Sligo