Kilkenny woman elected president of major national organisation

After a close-fought campaign, Josephine O’Neill of Callan Macra, County Kilkenny, has been named Macra’s 40th National President Elect following the count in the Irish Farm Centre on Friday. 

O’Neill, from Maddoxtown, Bennettsbridge, is a secondary school teacher of both Home Economics and Irish, in Presentation de la Salle College, Bagenalstown. Josephine has a background in farming. She has been an active member of not only her local club, but at national level in the Macra organisation, in recent years.

From holding the position of chairperson of the Callan club, to winning the title of International Miss Macra, several years ago, just last year Josephine became the Kilkenny representative on the national council of Macra and chairperson of the national board of Macra.

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In the 12 years since she first joined Macra, the organisation has become a huge part of Josephine’s life. As well as being the chair and secretary of her local club she served as county treasurer ad county vice-president with Kilkenny Macra.

Outgoing President Elaine Houlihan said, "Congratulations to Josephine on her victory. I am delighted to be handing over Macra to Josephine's safe hands and wish her the very best of luck as she adjusts to her new role."

Josephine beat her opponent Conor Murphy, of Whitechurch Macra in the Seandún Region of Cork, by a margin of 29 votes.

She will officially assume the role at the Macra National AGM in Ennis, County Clare, on the May 10, as will the three newly elected Vice Presidents.

Andrew Dunne, a Software Engineer and member of Mountmellick Macra in Laois, ran unopposed in the Leinster region, and was deemed 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 being deemed elected at the close of nominations in March.

There were four candidates in the race for the Munster Vice President role. The nominees were John Lonergan from Glanmire Macra, Seandún, County Cork, Liam Coppinger of Midleton Macra, Imokilly, County Cork, Tom Long, a member of Rathkeevin Macra in South Tipperary, and William Clancy of Borrisoleigh Macra in North Tipperary.

William Clancy, a forester and beef farmer, was deemed elected following the first count, having reached the quota of 32 votes.

Macra would like to congratulate all of the candidates who ran for election, and we wish our newly elected presidential team the very best of luck over the next two years.

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