Mayo brothers win country-wide recognition at National Farmer of the Year Awards

Mayo brothers Padraic and Martin McHale have been named winners at the sixth annual Zurich Insurance National Farmer of the Year Awards, which were held at the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone earlier this month.

Padraic and Martin, from Ballinrobe, took home the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, while David Russell, from Tipperary, received the Grand Prix 2019 Farmer of the Year Award.

The awards featured five farming categories, including dairy, beef, tillage, sheep and a rising star category. Other awards on the night included Excellence in Farm Safety Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Grand Prix overall Farmer of the Year Award for 2019. Padraic and Martin McHale were jointly crowned with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for their careers in farming.

The Zurich Farm Insurance Farming Independent Farmer of the Year Awards are now in their sixth year and aim to shine a light on one of the most successful and important sectors within the Irish economy. Presented by Helen Carroll, the awards ceremony in Athlone saw almost 200 people come together to recognise excellence in all areas of the Irish farming industry.

Graham Minogue, head of agri sales for Zurich Insurance, said: “As a passionate insurer of Irish farms, we are proud of our sponsorship of these great awards, which continue to recognise and celebrate excellence across a wide range of farming categories and to reward Ireland’s farmers for the challenging, important work they do and their contribution to their communities and to wider Irish society. The winners have set themselves apart in their categories and we’re proud to help recognise their accomplishments.”