Major Fine Gael gathering in Mitchelstown

Local farmers who attended last Friday evening's Fine Gael farming forum in The Firgrove Hotel, l-r: Liam O'Doherty (Ballygiblin), Tony Mullins (Mitchelstown), Noel Hurley (Kildorrery) and Kevin O'Flynn (Kildorrery). (Picture: John Ahern)

A General Election may not be in the offing, however, this didn’t prevent Fine Gael from hosting a very well attended National Agriculture, Food & Rural Development Forum in the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown last Friday night. 

An opportunity for local activists to meet some of the party’s top brass, the event was aimed predominantly at farmers who, Fine Gael still view as core voters.  

Cork East T.D., David Stanton introduced the speakers, starting with Fine Gael’s deputy leader and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, before moving on to Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Martin Heydon.

Joining the politicians at the top table were National Dairy Ambassador Louise Crowley, along with entrepreneur Helen O’Donnell and the CEO of Renewable Gas Forum, P.J. McCarthy. 

Coverage in this week’s Print & Digital Edition