Kfm CEO Clem Ryan praised Anna May McHugh, highlighting her exceptional dedication and contribution to the National Ploughing Championships and Kfm.
Trinity College Dublin has conferred honorary Doctorate degrees of the University of Dublin to four distinguished individuals: Anna May McHugh, Herman Van Rompuy, Colm O’Gorman, and Dr. Leonard O’Hagan.
The ceremony took place in the historic Public Theatre and was presided over by Chancellor Dr. Mary McAleese.
Anna May McHugh, Managing Director of the National Ploughing Championships since 1973, was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Laws.
She has been Managing Director of the National Ploughing Championships since 1973. Since that time, the National Ploughing Championships has become
She has been acclaimed as the driving force behind the event’s spectacular growth. She is also the Irish Board Member of the World Ploughing Organisation since her appointment in 1997 as the first woman on the Board. She has led the co-ordination of hosting the World Ploughing Contest on the five occasions it has been held in
She has worked for the National Ploughing Association for almost 70 years, first as a secretary to the founder, then company secretary and finally as managing director. In the 1970s there were 100 exhibitors at the ploughing and 21 counties competing – today the event hosts 300,000 visitors over three days, 1,700 exhibitors on 100 acres and 350 ploughing competitors.
She has driven its extension to include a tented trade village, a live cultural programme, fashion shows, a craft village, cooking demonstrations, sheep dog trials, equestrian events, an enterprise arena, and other activities. Now after just turning 90, she still runs the multi-million-euro operation from her home.
She is a founding Board member of Kfm since 2004 and is the current chairperson of the Board of Directors, a position she’s held for some years.
Fellow founding member and current Kfm CEO Director Clem Ryan congratulated Anna May on behalf of all in Kfm:
“Anna May is a person of outstanding calibre and character, a beacon of of the highest personal and business standards. Her contribution and dedication to Kfm mirrors the drive and ambition she brings to her many other roles in the business and community life of