Two challengers for Mayo IFA chair

TOM Fitzpatrick from the Robeen IFA branch and Martin Gilvarry from Killala IFA branch are contesting the position of Mayo IFA county chairman left vacant by Padraic Joyce, Islandeady, who has come to the end of his four-year term of office.

The annual general meeting of Mayo IFA county executive will take place in Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar, on Monday evening, March 21, at 8 p.m.

Both candidates have, between them, many years of experience on the Mayo county executive, with Tom Fitzpatrick having served as county secretary and on the national environment committee.

Tom is married to Patricia and they have two children, Grace and Maria. He farms a beef, sheep and tillage farm near the village of Robeen in south Mayo.

Martin Gilvarry, who is the current national vice-chairman of the IFA dairy committee, farms a dairy, beef and sheep in Ballygowan, Killala, and is married to Marie. The couple have three children - Conor, Cian and Mary.

Other positions to be filled on the night are county vice-chairman, PRO and county treasurer.