John Donnelly (I.F.A.)
Encyclopedia
John Donnelly is an Irish farmer who was President
of the Irish Farmers' Association
, 1994-1998.
A native of Abby-Duniry, County Galway
, Donnelly was born in the townland of Conicare. He was educated at the local national school and for one term at St. Molaisses College, Portumna
.
He became a member of Macra na Feirme
, winning the All-Ireland Macra na Feirme debating final in 1975. He joined the Irish Farmers' Association in 1977, shortly afterwards becoming Branch Chairman. He served as the county's co-chairman from 1981 to 1984, and as Connacht
Vice President from 1984 to 1988.
In 1994 he became the first member from west of the Shannon
to become the association's president. He campaigned to have all of County Galway classified as severely disadvantaged, successfully improved the finances of poorer farmers. His term ended in 1998.
Since then, Donnelly has continued involvement in farming and promotes quality assured beef from the south-east area of county Galway.
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the Irish Farmers' Association
Irish Farmers' Association
The Irish Farmers' Association is a national organisation to represent the interests of all sectors of farming in the Republic of Ireland...
, 1994-1998.
A native of Abby-Duniry, County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
, Donnelly was born in the townland of Conicare. He was educated at the local national school and for one term at St. Molaisses College, Portumna
Portumna
Portumna is a market town in the south-east of County Galway, Ireland, on the border with County Tipperary. The town is located to the west of the point where the River Shannon enters Lough Derg. This historic crossing point over the River Shannon between counties Tipperary and Galway has a long...
.
He became a member of Macra na Feirme
Macra na feirme
Macra na Feirme , abbreviated MnaF, is an Irish, voluntary, rural youth organisation. It was founded in 1944 by Stephen Cullinan, a rural science teacher....
, winning the All-Ireland Macra na Feirme debating final in 1975. He joined the Irish Farmers' Association in 1977, shortly afterwards becoming Branch Chairman. He served as the county's co-chairman from 1981 to 1984, and as Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
Vice President from 1984 to 1988.
In 1994 he became the first member from west of the Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
to become the association's president. He campaigned to have all of County Galway classified as severely disadvantaged, successfully improved the finances of poorer farmers. His term ended in 1998.
Since then, Donnelly has continued involvement in farming and promotes quality assured beef from the south-east area of county Galway.