深夜亚洲福利久久

Philanthropy brings UCC plant genetics lectureship to life

13 Oct 2018

深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork and The Agricultural Trust Announce Grassland Science Senior Lectureship in memory of Paddy O鈥橩eeffe

The legacy of Irish agricultural legend, Paddy O鈥橩eeffe, will continue to endure through a new Senior Lectureship at 深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork supported by The Agricultural Trust.  The Paddy O鈥橩eeffe Senior Lectureship in Plant Genetics will lead the implementation of new strategies for grassland research at UCC, through the work of awardee Dr Rossana Henriques.

The generous philanthropic gift, led by The Agricultural Trust, was announced at a commemorative lunch for Paddy O鈥橩eeffe, hosted on campus by UCC President Prof Patrick O鈥橲hea and Deputy President and Registrar Prof John O鈥橦alloran. Guests of Honour Mrs Maggie Egerton, daughter of Paddy O鈥橩eeffe and his granddaughter Sian Egerton were joined by Paddy鈥檚 long-time associate Edward Hallinan as well as representatives from the Irish Farmers鈥� Association, the Irish Farmers Journal, Teagasc, The Agricultural Trust, Dairygold, Grassland Agro, Connolly鈥檚 Red Mills, Dawn Meats and DLF Seeds.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Patrick O鈥橲hea thanked The Agricultural Trust, and acknowledged how this donation will serve to establish a Senior Lectureship position in the area of Plant Science.

Prof. John O鈥橦alloran, Deputy President and Registrar said, 鈥淯CC will benefit enormously from the generosity of The Agricultural Trust.  This donation will equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills required to ensure the sustained success of Irish Grassland Research and Agriculture in face of environmental challenges such as climate change鈥�.

Matt Dempsey, Chairman of The Agricultural Trust said that Paddy O鈥橩eeffe had always looked to research and rigorous science to enhance the competitiveness of Irish agriculture.  He saw grass and its utilisation as central to Irish farming鈥檚 progress and property.  The opportunity of an excellently internationally qualified scientist in this field, to be based in UCC and working closely with Teagasc Moorepark, will serve to enhance Irish agricultural progress in the years to come.  He paid tribute to UCC and Prof. John O鈥橦alloran for their unstinting support for the project.

Prof Astrid Wingler, Dr. Rossana Henriques, Maggie Egerton, daughter of Paddy O鈥橩eeffe, Prof Andrew Wheeler and Prof Patrick O鈥橲hea at the announcement of the Paddy O鈥橩eeffe Senior Lectureship in Plant Genetics at 深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork, funded by The Agricultural Trust.

鈥� School of BEES, UCC (@uccBEES)

Paddy O鈥橩eeffe played a key role in the modernisation of farming and the growth of agri-business in Ireland, particularly through the insights he brought on agriculture to Irish farmers through the Irish Farmers Journal.   He was a leading figure in promoting dairy research at Teagasc, Moorepark Fermoy and grassland research worldwide.  In 1961, together with John Mooney, Paddy established The Agricultural Trust, which publishes the Irish Farmers Journal and The Irish Field.  He continued to chair the Trust until his death in 2013.

Following the commemorative lunch, the Senior Lectureship awardee Dr Henriques presented her views on the 鈥淣ew Challenges and Opportunities in Grassland Research鈥�.  In line with Paddy's unconventional views that revolutionised Irish agriculture, Dr Henriques will conduct new avenues of research in perennial ryegrass, focusing on understanding the genetics of plant growth and development under different environmental conditions.

Prof Astrid Wingler, Head of Plant Science at UCC, noted that Dr Henriques鈥� expertise underpins the strategy of Plant Science at UCC and enhances existing collaborations with Teagasc.

The UCC-Teagasc Strategic Alliance, was also recently boosted by the introduction of a new Bachelor in Agricultural Science degree to be run in collaboration with Teagasc Moorepark Fermoy.  This new programme will include a significant component of Plant Science.