Peadar MCCanna

Peadar MCCanna

During the 1970’s Peadar worked with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries where he was a leading farm management specialist. During his time at the Department of Agriculture, Peadar had a central role of responsibility for the supervision and management of the World Bank loan. Amongst the many farm modernisation measures, slatted sheds for livestock wintering and herringbone milking parlours were constructed for the first time. In 1977 Peadar joined the Bank of Ireland and was appointed Chief Agricultural Advisor, moving on to become Head of Marketing BOI, followed later by his appointment as Head of Bank of Ireland Commercial Finance from 1990 to 1998.

Peadar Joined the IGA council in 1972, a time when agriculture was undergoing a rapid expansion with Irelands accession to the EU. Peadar, contributed significantly to the recommendations of the Study Group set up by the IGA Council to formulate a Development Plan for Irish Agriculture to be submitted to Government. This plan exposed the weaknesses in Irish agriculture and the lack of Government commitments to the development of the very industry which hoped to benefit most from the opening up of new markets. At a time when agriculture was undergoing a significant expansion and faced new challenges Peadar provided his expertise in farm financial management along with constructive inputs to the Council to shape the agenda and programme content of the time.  Peadar served as president during the 1983/84 term.  While on Council Peadar had a key role in securing funding for various conferences and study tours. He was a leading participant in the IGA overseas tours.