Mella Briscoe elected Dairy Women Ireland president for 2027

Briscoe previously held DWI’s vice-presidency. She runs a family dairy farm near Portumna in East Galway with her husband, Kevin Muldoon, and their sons, Jack and Naise. Katie Gleeson, from Co. Tipperary, will become vice-president, with Nicola Featherstone serving as treasurer and Mary Kinston as secretary.

Describing her election as “a huge honour”, Briscoe acknowledged the work that had gone into developing the organisation. She thanked outgoing president Fiona O’Donnell for her commitment since its beginnings and for leading it over the past year, saying that her predecessor would be difficult to follow.

Briscoe said her priority over the coming 12 months would be the “women in wellies”. She plans to use the regional teams to meet women working in dairy, listen to their experiences and learn how the organisation can support them. She also said DWI remained a young organisation and that she wanted to work with its members on strengthening its structures.

DWI operates with the support of six regional teams. Its activities give women involved in dairy opportunities to meet, exchange knowledge and offer each other support. Alongside the presidential election, the AGM brought Carol Breen, Aileen Sheehan and Deirbhile Browne onto its National Steering Committee. New members also joined the organisation’s subcommittees and regional teams.

The organisation’s next annual conference, its fifth, is scheduled for Friday, November 20, at the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise. The conference will carry the title “Our Time Is Now”.

FBD is sponsoring the gathering, which will bring together women from across the dairy sector. The programme is intended to provide opportunities for learning, discussion and contact with others in the industry.