The participants have been selected for a 2026 initiative to develop potential "leaders" in farming and agri-politics.

The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has confirmed the participants in the the Ready to Lead 2026 Programme.

Now in its second year, the programme is in partnership with FBD Insurance and Farm Business Skillnet.

The initiative aims to develop the "next generation of leaders" in the farming community, and to equip them with the "skills and knowledge to effectively navigate and influence policy for the agricultural sector".

The IFA said the programme received "high calibre applications" from across the country.

The organisation said the selection process was highly competitive, with the candidates demonstrating a deep passion for farming, leadership potential and a "commitment to representing their fellow farmers at local, national and European levels".

Commenting on the programme, IFA president Francie Gorman said: "Following on from a very successful first running of the Ready to Lead Programme, it was great to see the high number of applicants looking to get involved again this year.

"The continued strength of any organisation depends on its ability to introduce new voices into decision-making," Gorman said.

"We are confident those chosen will make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond," he added.

The participants will take part in a six-day programme, spread across three two-day modules throughout 2026.

The IFA said this will include sessions with "leaders in the sector", meetings with political representatives in Dublin, and a guided tour of EU institutions in Brussels.

According to the organisation, this structure is designed to provide insights into both national and European policy-making processes.

The programme will officially commence later this month, where participants will engage in their first sessions.

John Cahalan, FBD's chief commercial officer, said: "This initiative will develop a new generation of confident and capable leaders who can represent farmers and contribute to the future direction of the sector.

"We congratulate all of the participants selected and wish them every success in the months ahead," Cahalan added.

The chosen partipants for the 2026 programme are as follows:

Aoife Mullen, Offaly;
Bertie Cagney, Cork;
Caroline Murphy, Cork;
Colm O'Leary, Cork;
Danielle Stewart, Donegal;
Declan Maloney, Galway;
Dylan Gilligan, Leitrim;
Emmet O'Rourke, Leitrim;
Finian Bourke, Mayo;
Georgina Markey, Monaghan;
Jack Skehan, Waterford;
James McElearney, Monaghan;
John Dolan, Mayo;
Mark Butler, Westmeath;
Mark Richardson, Carlow;
Martin Hoade, Galway;
Mary Sheridan, Longford;
Michael Doherty, Sligo;
Michael Keegan, Wicklow;
Michael Sheehan, Cork;
Philip O'Leary, Cork;
Robyn McDonagh, Galway;
Ronan Dunleavy, Galway;
Sarah Kennedy, Tipperary;
Shane Scott, Sligo;
Stephen Carey, Wicklow;
Thomas Downey, Tipperary.