Niamh Brennan from Kilcruise near Arles has been has been selected as one of four agri leaders to receive a prestigious Nuffield Ireland Scholarship which will commence in 2027.
Nuffield Ireland’s mission is to discover, inspire and support people to develop their capacity, character and confidence to promote positive change and world class leadership in agriculture, food and farming.
It is part of Nuffield International, a valuable global network which includes Nuffield organisations in eight countries. A Senior Policy Executive with the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Niamh will be introduced at the Nuffield Ireland annual conference ‘Farming the Future – People, Purpose, Possibilities’, on Friday, November 6, at the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone.
Niamh grew up on a farm in Laois and has always had a strong connection to agriculture and rural life.
At the IFA she is responsible for horticulture, potatoes, renewable energy and equine policy, and outside of work she has a lifelong passion for horses and all things equestrian.
A graduate of University College Dublin with a BAgSc and MSc in Agritocultural Science, Niamh has extensive experience working with farmers, industry stakeholders, Government departments and European organisations, and is actively involved in COPA-COGECA committees in Brussels.
Through her work, Niamh has developed a strong interest in the future resilience of Irish food production. Her Nuffield research topic is “Securing Ireland’s indigenous horticulture and potato production: building a resilient food supply for the future”.
Nuffield Ireland Chair, Graínne Dwyer, said: “Niamh has spent her career working with farmers, industry and policymakers at home and in Brussels, and she understands what it takes to keep Irish food production viable.
Her research into securing indigenous horticulture and potato production is both timely and important for Ireland’s food security, and we are delighted to welcome her to Nuffield Ireland.”
A number of Laois farmers have been associated with the Nuffield scholarship scheme over the years.
Zoe McKay from Ballyfin was selected in 2024 while Grainne Dwyer, a dairy farmer from Borris-in-Ossory, was appointed as chairperson of Nuffield Ireland last year.
