MADAM

The retirement of Matt Dempsey from the chair of The Agricultural Trust marks a milestone in the history of the Irish Farmers Journal and its sister publication The Irish Field, the voice of Irish farming and the Irish horse for generations. His link with the Journal goes back an astonishing 51 years, when he joined the paper after a stint with the EU Commission in Brussels.

Under his editorship, The Farmers Journal has grown to be the largest and most respected farming publication in these islands, with a readership of more than a quarter of a million. This didn’t happen by accident, but by following the principles of good honest journalism, always focused on bettering the lot of Ireland’s family farmers, the backbone of the rural economy.

Matt always brought a sound common sense, backed up by a sharp intellect and an in-depth knowledge of the best of modern farming developments worldwide. His brief ran far beyond mainstream agriculture, being chairman of the Irish National Stud, the RDS, The National Gallery, Punchestown Racecourse and, possibly his first love, the Kildare Foxhounds. Matt brings a first-hand knowledge of farming on a weekly basis to the pages of The Farmers Journal in an Urbi et Orbi type article and is the first page read in our house. However, he leaves The Agricultural Trust in good hands under the chairmanship of our fellow Limerick man and CEO of Grassland Fertilisers, Liam Woulfe. Long may Matt bring his deep knowledge and fine journalism to the pages of the Journal.

We can but wish Matt and Mary many long years of good health well into the future and hope that his good and wise counsel will be available to the readers of The Irish Field and the Journal for many years to come.

Yours etc,

Dickie and Catherine Power

Friarstown Lodge, Kilmallock

Co Limerick

Thank you to the sponsors

MADAM,

I wanted to write in to show huge appreciation and thanks to Derrick and Pauline Burke of NAPS and Orchard Equestrian for their sponsorship of the NAPS/Orchard Equestrian National Amateur League that finished up at Cavan Amateur Championships last weekend.

Derrick is a massive support to the amateur community and his support and commitment should be commended and highlighted. Himself and Pauline are always at attendance and are great company also! I wanted to share my huge thanks to them and Orchard Equestrian, as without sponsors like this, such leagues could not happen.

Yours etc, Kerrie Anderson

Ashford, Wicklow