BEARA IFA PRESENTATION TO MICHAEL DONEGAN

Michael Donegan and Denis Regan

At the Beara IFA Dinner Dance held recently in the Eccles Hotel, Glengarriff, a presentation was made to Michael Donegan, Castletownbere, on his retirement.

In his address, Denis Regan, Castletownbere, Chairman of West Cork IFA Dairy Committee and member of Castletownbere Branch, said that he was "honoured to be asked by the Beara Region to make a presentation to a fellow Castletownbere man and IFA member of my own branch as well as being a great friend.  This man is Michael Donegan, who has served the farmers of Beara with distinction for forty three years.  He needs no introduction.  Every man, woman and child in Beara knows him. There is no farmyard in Beara he hasn't visited as an artificial inseminator as well as the other roles he worked in, which included warable dressing, soil sampling and milk recording. He was a most obliging man - he was always on hand if you needed a message  from 'town', a spin to mass, a spin to 'town' or a spin to the bog."

Denis continued " ' he was some driver'.  He averaged 40,000 miles per annum around Beara.  Most days he covered the Beara Peninsula twice.  I always maintained that Ford should have given him a free car as he was certainly a good advertisment for them.  There was no necessity for hedge cutters as he always hugged the fences and a briar wouldn't stand a chance. I wish you a long and happy retirement and ask you to accept this presentation on behalf of the farmers of Beara".

Michael accepted with pride the plaque and stated that he was thrilled to be recognised in this way.  He thanked all concerned.

The inscription on the plaque reads:

To Michael Donegan
For your outstanding Dedication & Contribution to Beara Farmers
Covering a period of 43 years
1955-1998

Presented by Beara I.F.A.
Friday 16th February 2001