The lecture was given by Dan Mulhall, a former ambassador who had a stellar career in the Irish diplomatic service, including serving as Irish ambassador to the US, UK, Germany and Malaysia. In March 2019, he was made a freeman of his native city of Waterford. The former ambassador’s lecture covered the challenges facing EU exports, with the introduction of a 15 per cent tariff on specific goods it sells into America. He also stressed that final details of the US/EU Agreement are not yet officially completed, and that is creating trade uncertainty, especially in pharma and IT, areas of special importance to the Irish economy. Diversification, he said, should be the name of the game both for Ireland and Europe. Our future trading environment, he added, is unlikely to be as favourable as it has been since the end of the Cold War.
Recognised as having a passionate interest in and knowledge of the life, work and patriotism of WB Yeats, laureate of the 1923 Nobel Prize in Literature, Dan carried his keen intellect lightly and provided his audience with much to ruminate over as they celebrated the life and legacy of Guild founder member, Michael Dillon.
Mark Faherty; Kerry Group, Mary Buckley; Kerry Group; Dan Mulhall, former ambassador of Ireland; Stella Meehan, chair of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Ireland – southern section; and Tom Moran, chair of Kerry Group, pictured at the Michael Dillon Memorial Lecture. Photo: Finbarr O’Rourke.
The black-tie event, which was supported by the Kerry Group, was attended by journalists from across the island of Ireland. Previous speakers include former president of Ireland, Mary Robinson, former attorney general, commissioner and Goldman Sachs chair, Peter Sutherland, and Ray MacSharry, another notable former minister and EU commissioner.
A full house at the 2025 Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Ireland’s Michael Dillon Memorial Lecture, which took place at the K Club last month. Photo: Finbarr O’Rourke.
Stella Meehan, chair of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Ireland – southern section took the opportunity to chat to Dan Mulhall, former ambassador of Ireland, after he delivered the 2025 Michael Dillon Memorial Lecture. Photo: Finbarr O’Rourke.