Mella Briscoe elected incoming president of Dairy Women Ireland
Galway dairy farmer Mella Briscoe has been elected as the incoming president of Dairy Women Ireland (DWI) for 2027.
The election took place at the organisation's recent annual general meeting (AGM).
Mella farms with her husband Kevin Muldoon and their two sons, Jack and Naise, in East Galway, near Portumna.
She brings extensive experience of family dairy farming to her new role and previously served as vice president of the organisation.
Mella will be joined by incoming vice president Katie Gleeson, from Co. Tipperary, alongside treasurer Nicola Featherstone and secretary Mary Kinston.
The appointments follow a busy year for Dairy Women Ireland, which reported 30% increase in membership in 2026.
The organisation, which is supported by six regional teams, provides opportunities for women involved in dairy to meet, share knowledge and support one another.
The group held 17 regional events across the country this year.
Dairy Women Ireland
Mella Briscoe said it was a "a huge honour" to be elected president of Dairy Women Ireland.
"A tremendous amount of work has brought the organisation to where it is today.
"I want to sincerely thank outgoing president Fiona O’Donnell for her commitment from day one, and especially for her leadership over the past year. She will be a very hard act to follow.
"My main focus for the next 12 months will be on the ‘women in wellies’.
"Through our regional teams, I want to meet as many women involved in dairy as possible, hear their experiences and understand how we can support them.
"We are still a young organisation, with more work to do in strengthening our structures, and I’m really looking forward to working with everyone on that," she said.
The AGM also saw Carol Breen, Aileen Sheehan and Deirbhile Browne join the National Steering Committee, alongside new members of its subcommittees and regional teams.
Attention now turns to Dairy Women Ireland’s fifth annual conference, entitled 'Our Time Is Now', which takes place on Friday, November 20, in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise.
The event, sponsored by FBD, will bring women from across the dairy sector together for learning, discussion and connection.
