Padraig Walsh

Padraig Walsh

Dairy Farming in in Bishopswood, Durrow in Co. Laois, Padraig is a strong advocate of the industry benefits of improving productivity from grassland, a policy that has been put into practice on his own farm. The Walshe farm, run by Padraig, his wife Ella and son Pat, has regularly hosted Irish and international farm groups and is recognised as one of the most productive grassland milk production farms in the country. Padraig served as President of Macra na Feirme from 1985 to 1987 and won the ‘Irish Creamery Milk Supplier of the Year Award’ a few years later. He was elected President of the IFA in December 2005 serving a four-year term. In addition, Padraig also served as President of COPA (European Farmers Union), finishing his term in April 2011. The Durrow, county Laois-based milk producer, was a member of the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels for several years. Padraig is one of the driving forces behind the Grass10 programme which he currently chairs.