Laois Co Co hosts Civic Reception for IFA President
IFA President Francie Gorman speaking at the ciic recepton in his honour
THE highest honour Laois can bestow was awarded to IFA President Francie Gorman on Thursday night, with a joyful civic reception at County Hall in Portlaoise.
The packed council chamber reflected the huge popularity and achievement of the Spink native, who swept to victory in the IFA presidential election last February to lead the country’s biggest farming organisation of 75,000 members nationwide for a four-year term.
IFA director general Damian McDonald, vice-president Alice Doyle, Laois IFA officials and county chairs from Offaly, Tipperary, Kildare, Cork and Galway were among those who gathered to pay tribute to the Ballinakill farmer, who was joined at the reception by his proud family, friends, Laois IFA members and supporters.
A long list of speakers who paid tribute to the farm leader included Laois IFA chairman Henry Burns, Pat Hennessy, Laois-Offaly TDs Minister of State Seán Fleming and Deputy Brian Stanley, council cathaoirleach, Cllr Pádraig Fleming, county councillors and council officials. Appropriately, the last word went to Francie’s school friend, fellow farmer and IFA colleague John Fitzpatrick, his tireless right-hand man during the presidential election campaign. During a memorable address the IFA President said that, as a proud Laois man, he was honoured to receive the award in his native county and, even if he won the lotto, he would never live anywhere else.
