Mullingar man appointed as Teagasc regional advisory manager

Enda Geoghegan (in Galway/Clare) and Padraig Fitzgerald (Tipperary) have been appointed as Teagasc regional advisory managers. The appointments were approved at the Teagasc Authority meeting on Wednesday October 7.

They will lead the Teagasc teams in the respective regions, delivering advisory services to farmers and educational courses through the advisory offices.

Enda Geoghegan graduated with a degree in Agri Business and Rural Development from UCD, and went on to a Masters Degree in Rural Environmental Conservation and Management, also at UCD. He holds a posts graduate Diploma in Leadership Development Programme from UCC.

From a Beef faming background in Mullingar, Enda started working for Teagasc as a REPS planner in Crossmolina in 2001. He is currently a Climate Change and Sustainability advisor based in Teagasc Ballina. Before that he was a Drystock advisor in Mayo.

Padraig Fitzgerald graduated from University College Dublin (UCD) with a Degree in Agricultural Science. He holds a post-graduate Diploma in Leadership Development Programme and a post-graduate Diploma in Freshwater Quality Monitoring and Assessment, both from University College Cork.

He is currently working as a Sustainability advisor with the ASSAP based in Kilmallock, County Limerick. Previously he worked as a dairy and drystock advisor in Limerick and Kerry. In his early career, he worked as a REPS planner, having joined Teagasc in 2004.

Congratulating the two men on their appointments, Thomas Curran, head of the Teagasc Advisory Service, said: “I look forward to working with Enda and Padraig as part of the management team in the advisory programme. They bring a wealth of experience and expertise, and I wish them the best in their new roles.”

The vacancies arose following the retirements of Donal Mullane and Pat Clarke. Donal Mullane worked as an advisor before he was principal in Clonakilty Agricultural College. He was then appointed as manager of the Tipperary Advisory region.

Pat Clarke had worked as a lecturer in Kildalton Agricultural College before working as an enterprise specialist in Teagasc. He then became manager of the Galway/Clare advisory region.

Tom Curran thanked Donal and Pat for their contribution to Teagasc, both in advisory and education, during long and distinguished careers.