Meet the finalists in the Teagasc/FBD Student of the Year

The Teagasc/FBD Student of the Year will be crowned on Tuesday, May 21. Shortlisted to 15 nominees, the awards will be presented by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD.

The awards, sponsored by FBD, will be made to the top graduates of Teagasc Level 6 agricultural training programmes in 2023.

David Stephenson

David is a passionate dairy farmer from Hacketstown, Co. Wicklow, who did not follow a traditional route into farming. David's love for farming, gained from working with his grandfather and uncle, has driven him to thrive in the sector.

David excelled academically and technically, recently completing his Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture and Level 6 Specific Purpose in Farming in 2023. Throughout his studies, David willingly shared his knowledge and brought others along with him and has continued to do so during a Farm Partnership with a large dairy farm in Co. Wicklow.

Cian Hourihane

Cian is from a dairy farm in Skibbereen, Co. Cork, where he works with his father and they have great plans for expansion. Cian's enthusiasm and aptitude for farming was evident throughout his time at Teagasc Clonakilty College, where he graduated with a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture, and was the recipient of the Clonakilty Ag College Student of the Year award in 2023.

Cian excelled in all aspects of the course and was an asset to the class. Since finishing his Advanced Cert, Cian has headed to New Zealand, seeking to expand his knowledge and see a bit of the world.

Cormac Rowe

Cormac is a primary school teacher from Lobinstown, Co. Meath, who farms part-time with his family. Cormac showed outstanding commitment in his Distance Education course, putting in huge effort to balance his studies with his farm and home life, highlighted by the marks he received in each module.

Cormac has been praised for his friendly nature, willingness to ask questions and appreciation for any help he received. Cormac is actively involved in the farm at home and was very eager to learn new skills that could be taken and applied to his mixed dairy and drystock farm.

Enda Shanahan

Enda is a student from Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, who completed a Level 6 Advanced Crops and Machinery course in Gurteen College in 2023. Enda was a very pleasant student and expressed a great interest in his course, showing a keen interest to learn and develop new skills.

Enda's commitment to the course cannot be questioned, and he showed great leadership in his class, resulting in excellent grades in all his subject areas. Enda's continues to show enthusiasm for learning, as highlighted by his progression into a Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness course in SETU.

Danny Doyle

Danny comes from Rathangan, Co. Kildare, where he currently farms with his parents on a large scale tillage operation. Danny excelled both in theory and practical elements of his studies and his results in Teagasc Kildalton College reflect this.

Danny has set a high standard, being selected as Student of the Year for both his Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture and Level 6 Advanced Crops and Machinery courses. Danny also won the John FitzGerald Bursary to travel to the USA for his second year placement, and the Cian Mooney Bursary to travel to the EU Commission in Brussels.

Alana King

Alana, from Ennis, Co. Clare, graduated from the QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Horsemanship – Equitation - Kildalton College. Graduating with distinction on both Level 5 and Level 6, Alana proved herself to be an excellent student, diligent worker, and career driven.

Alana has clear goals for progression, building her career portfolio and working in Mount Bolton Equestrian Centre to gain valuable experience. Alana aims to complete the Equestrian International Instructor’s Education Training Board and will undertake British Horse Society examinations, which hold worldwide recognition.

Charlotte Duff White

Charlotte came to Kildalton College from Ballinamult, Co. Tipperary, in search of a career change. Charlotte decided to study horticulture and impressed with her positive energy, professionalism and proactive approach to life and her studies.

Charlotte was an exceptional student at both Level 5 and 6, highlighted by her achievement of becoming the first student ever to win the Student of the Year Award for both courses. This drive for excellence led to Charlotte securing a permanent period with her host before she had finished her practical learning period.

Rachel Lacey

Coming from Strand, Co. Limerick, Rachel has been described as approachable, mannerly and helpful. Rachel began the Green Cert with a goal of upskilling herself, and producing work to an impeccable standard. Rachel achieved this and received a distinction at the conclusion of her Level 6 studies.

Rachel applies all skills learned to maximise the profit to her enterprise, helping to run a dairy farm at home with her brother and doing relief milking on local farms. During her time doing the green cert she held a factory job doing night shifts, showing unwavering commitment to bettering herself.

Amy McGee

Amy comes from Drumkeeran, Co. Leitrim, where she is heavily involved in her home farm. Amy has a great knowledge of drystock systems in Ireland, in particular sheep production.

Amy took this existing knowledge and used it with great effect in both her Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture and Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture, resulting in distinctions for both. Amy’s attendance, attitude and engagement in both courses was excellent, while she also proved herself to be of great benefit to other students in her class as she helped them through their coursework.

Tadhg Hanley

Tadhg is a dairy farmer based in Askeaton, Co. Limerick. Coming from a commercial dairy farm, Tadhg was able to draw on his experience when completing his Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture.

Tadhg has been praised for being pleasant and being more than willing to share these experiences with his classmates, making him a very popular student amongst his peers, as well as staff. Tadhg has a keen desire to work outdoors but, despite this, maintained a near flawless attendance record, highlighting his willingness to learn and dedication to his studies.

Aidan Lynch

Aidan comes from Gort, Co. Galway, and has achieved distinctions in both Level 5 and Level 6 Agriculture. Aidan was an outstanding student, throwing himself into his coursework, and actively taking part in group work and activities.

Aidan is very adept and capable of putting new knowledge into practice, which he does so on a regular basis at home on his dairy farm which he runs with his parents. It is here that Aidan shows incredible care for the environment, putting care and thought into the environmental impact of each decision he makes on the farm.

Ben Maguire

Hailing from Mountnugent, Co. Cavan, Ben completed his Level 6 Certificate in Forestry in 2023. Ben thrived during his studies, due to an unwavering passion for forestry. Ben showcased a love for working outdoors, coupled with a deep connection to nature.

Ben has also been praised for his practical skills in forest management, establishment, and business, as well as his ability to apply theoretical knowledge practically. Ben’s ambition extends beyond the classroom. With plans to launch a composting business, he recognises the symbiotic relationship between forestry and sustainable practices.

Conor McAweeney

Conor is a dairy farmer from Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim. Conor's efforts in his Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture resulted in him becoming the overall Ballyhaise student of the year in 2023. Conor's academic excellence, leadership skills, and teamwork set him apart, making him a worthy winner of the award.

Conor consistently excelled in his studies, actively participated in discussion groups, and demonstrated a strong work ethic on his placement. His positive influence inspired peers and created a harmonious college environment.

Isabell Bourke

Isabell is an active and enthusiastic farmer from Westport, Co. Mayo, who completed a Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming. Isabell has shown incredible drive and time-management, balancing her studies with work on her home farm, off-farm employment, and her young family.

Isabell has emphasised a strong focus on a sustainable work-life balance and an ongoing safety ethic for her farm, on which she has progressive cattle and sheep enterprises. Isabell embraces all challenges and strives for environmental and biodiversity enhancements in the day-to-day management of the farm.

Leanne O'Donnell

Leanne is a diligent and dedicated worker from Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare. In 2022, Leanne completed a Certificate in Horticulture in Teagasc College in the Botanic Gardens, before going on to complete the Advanced Certificate in Horticulture Landscaping in 2023.

It was in this course that Leanne was recognised as the Overall Student of the Year, due to her impressive work ethic and great rapport with her classmates. Leanne has since taken the skills learned in her studies into the workforce, currently providing expertise in a plant store in Dublin City Centre.

More information on the Teagasc/FBD Student of the Years Awards are available here.