Sponsored by
Limerick Leader Person of the Month: IFA's Richard Kennedy
THE national chairman of the IFA's dairy committee, Richard Kennedy from Clarina, is this month's Limerick Person of the Month.
Mr Kennedy was presented with his award, which is sponsored by the Limerick Leader, Southern Advertising and the Clarion Hotel by Brendan Doran of Southern Advertising
The IFA dairy leader thanked the sponsors and said that he was honoured to accept the award on behalf of 20,000 Irish dairy farmers, who are now swept up in one of the most challenging times in the history of the industry.
"I accept it," he said, "on behalf of 20,000 Irish dairy farmers who are business people in their own right and who still control their own businesses both inside and outside the farm gate.
"I'd also like to point out that the livelihoods of thousands of Irish workers depend on the continuation of milk production here," he said.
With world dairy markets in turmoil, Mr Kennedy carries the hopes and aspirations of milk producers, not just in Limerick, but throughout the country.
A dairy farmer himself, he has been national chairman of IFA's dairy committee for over two years and is seen by many as a possible future leader of the 85,000-strong farming organisation.
But for now at least, he's nonchalant about his own ambitions.
"I didn't take on this job for self-advancement," he said. "In the next six months, the Irish dairy industry will be facing one of its biggest ever challenges and that is all I am focusing on for now."
A very articulate lobbyist, his work takes him from the board rooms of the giant milk processors to the corridors of power in Dublin and Brussels.
But he's no purveyor of doom.
"No matter how bad things may seem, I always try to be constructive," he said. "My firm belief is that God never closes one door, but he opens another."
He has already served at national level, as a former president of Macra na Feirme, having joined the Ballybrown branch at the age of 18
The first day he signed up to Macra, he was elected secretary of the club and later served in every position in the county before becoming national president.
But despite performing on the national stage of agri-politics, he still believes in maintaining his local community involvement.
He was the first chairman of Clarina / Ballybrown Community Council at a time of great change in the parish.
He has just stepped down after a three year term, but continues as an active member.
Dairy farmers couldn't have a better advocate than the unassuming, but steely and determined Clarina man.
"Farmers have a lot more clout than they think," he said.
"We're all inclined to think we can only influence what happens inside our own farm gates. But we have a far wider influence than that.After all we do still own our businesses."
He played hurling with Ballybrown in his younger days, and says that having to give up playing was "one of the sacrifices" he had to make when he became a farming activist.
He also played a bit of rugby with Shannon and is an avid Munster fan.
He farms with his wife, Helen, and son, James, at Clarina.
He and Helen have four other children, Annemarie, who is nurse; Thomas, an accountant; Elaine who has just graduated in Science; Jane who is studying Food Science and Elizabeth, a Leaving Cert student at Laurel Hill.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Garda Ombudsman launches investigation after man dies in shooting incident
- Woman escapes injury in County Limerick road crash
- Gardai appeal for information following County Limerick collision involving garda vehicle
- Valentine’s rock: The Cranberries for Jay Leno show appearance
- Convicted Limerick murderer sentenced for false imprisonment
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Limerick
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 9 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
