Laois student awarded of Ireland's most prestigious scholarships

A young Laois man from Rosenalis has been awarded one of Ireland's most prestigious farm scholarships.

Alex Redmond was one of the four recipients of the 2023 John Feely Foundation Scholarships hosted at the Limerick head office of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) from the Association’s President, Denis Drennan.

Mr Drennan said the standard of the applicants overall was very encouraging and that of the four individuals concerned was outstanding.

“The standard we’re seeing in the young dairy farmers coming through bodes well for the sector: they’re technically very strong and environmentally aware, they’re also committed to building on the standards already achieved.

"ICMSA is delighted to be associated with the John Feely Scholarship programme and we’ll be getting out the details for the 2024 awards programme in due course and we’d welcome applications from the dairy families of Laois”, he said.

The ICMSA says it represents all farmers, particularly dairy and livestock farmers.

The Association says the objective of the Feely Foundation is to provide financial support to individuals who intend to choose farming as a career or who wish to further their education as a farmer.

The annual scholarships are awarded to four students in their first year of an agricultural course at one of the following agricultural colleges: Clonakilty; Kildalton; Pallaskenry; Gurteen; Mountbellew; Ballyhaise; or studying an agriculture-related course in another third-level institution.