Inspirational award goes to Armagh woman

A COUNTY Armagh woman has scooped an “Inspirational Woman in Agriculture” accolade, awarded to her by Northern Irish magazine Local Women.

The Inspirational Women of the Year 2022 Awards set out to recognise Northern Ireland’s so-called “ordinary women who do extraordinary work” from stay-at-home mums to doctors and nurses, from teachers, charity workers and domiciliary staff, to volunteers, grandmothers and foster carers. Women who have an incredible impact on others but yet seek no praise or recognition.

Seventy-three-year-old Marie Mcilroy from Divernagh, Bessbrook was among those women recognised, singled out specifically for her inspirational work in agriculture.

Proud daughter, Barbara Robinson, contacted FarmWeek to highlight her mother’s achievement, saying she works on the family farm day in, day out, working now more than ever.

“She milks the cows, has three huge hen houses and cleans in peak over 15,000 eggs daily. She feeds calves, does all the paper work for the farm, which is unreal these days, and she runs a B&B and maintains a garden than would Chelsea Flower show to shame,” explained Barbara.

Marie picked up her prestigious award at a special awards ceremony on Sunday at the Europa Hotel in Belfast.