International Women's Day will have a special significance for Macra na Feirme with confirmation that it is to get its first female president.
Catherine Buckley, a 29-year-old accountant from Rylane, Co Cork, was unopposed for the top job in the 8,000 strong youth farm organisation.
Ms Buckley, from a farming background, is the 31st president of the organisation. She is also the fifth person from Cork to head what is regarded as the oldest of the mainstream farm organisations.
"I am delighted . . . It is a bit of history to be the first woman to take the post which has a membership of 60 per cent males and 40 per cent females," she said.
"It was inevitable that a woman would eventually break through to lead the organisation and I am very proud that I am that person," she said.
Ms Buckley, the only daughter of Mortimer and Kathleen Buckley, lives on the family farm and works at Cross Refrigeration in Cork city.
She said that agriculture would remain the primary focus of the youth organisation, which also provides a social outlet for its nationwide membership.