Galway man shortlisted for young farmer of the year
He will be up against fourteen other farmers from around Ireland
A Galway man has been shortlisted for FBD Young Farmer of The Year with just 14 others standing in the way between him, the coveted title and €5,000.
Enda Armstrong will battle it out among the rest after making his way into the semi-finals of the competition which is in its 28th year and run by Macra.
The winner will be announced on September 8 at the Heritage Hotel in Killenard, Co. Laois.
The 2025 FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards marked a historic milestone as Cork dairy farmer Aileen Sheehan became the first woman to win the prestigious title in the competitions 27-year history.
A relatively recent entrant into the industry, Aileen began her farming journey in December 2021 after leasing a dairy unit in Whitechurch and purchasing her first herd.
Today, she milks 140 dairy cows on a fully leased farm. In 2023 she introduced her own heifers.
When she's not on the farm, Aileen also teaches PE and Maths. Together with her husband Philip, who serves in the Army, and their six-month-old baby, Aileen manages the farm with support from three part-time staff, Sarah, Aoife, and Tadgh.
In her acceptance speech, Aileen said: “Behind every good man is a great woman, and that's true, but we shouldn't be behind. It's time for women in the agriculture sector to step forward.”
Michael Berkery, Chairman of the FBD Trust, paid tribute to Aileen and all the participants: “This award is a reflection of Aileen’s unwavering dedication, passion, and hard work.
“We are proud to support young farmers and help shine a light on their essential role in building a sustainable future for Irish agriculture. We wish Aileen and all of our finalists the very best in their future farming careers.”
Macra National President Josephine O'Neill echoed the sentiment: “History is made as we announce the first female winner of the FBD Young Farmer of the Year awards. On behalf of Macra, I’d like to congratulate Aileen Sheehan on her outstanding achievement.
“Aileen is following in the footsteps of many trailblazers in agriculture and will no doubt represent the title with pride and integrity. Congratulations also to all finalists on representing themselves so well.”