12.01.2015
Irish Farmers’ Association Celebrates 60th Anniversary
Over 1,700 people attended an event to mark the 60th anniversary of the IFA’s foundation as the NFA in the National Convention Centre, Dublin, last week. The Archbishop of Dublin was represented by the Archdeacon of Glendalough, the Ven Ricky Rountree, at the special commemoration.
The event was addressed by IFA President, Eddie Downey, EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan, and Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney. Tributes were also paid tribute to former IFA Presidents and activists and there was a visual presentation of the history of the association. The MC for the day was Mary Kennedy of RTE.
In his address to the Commemoration, IFA President Eddie Downey said fair reward and decent income for farmers remained at the forefront of IFA’s agenda.
During the event there was an ecumenical prayer service led by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Diarmuid Martin, Archdeacon Rountree and the Revd Dr Michael Barry, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church.
The Irish Farmers Association was founded in 1955 as the National Farmers’ Association and has been one of the most effective groups in influencing policy and protecting the development of agriculture in Ireland. It sees itself as having a vital role in the future development of agriculture as a world player in providing food and related products on a global scale.
Photo caption: Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, the Revd Dr Michael Barry and Archdeacon Ricky Rountree. (Photo courtesy of IFA)