National Potato Conference

The National Potato Conference 2026 will take place on Tuesday, 17 November at 9:30am in the City North Hotel, Gormanston, Co. Meath, K32 W562.

Conference Agenda

9am
Registration & Tea/Coffee

10am
Ministerial address

Opening address
Professor Frank O’Mara, Teagasc Director
Francie Gorman, Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) President

10:30am
Session 1

Chaired by Jason O’Leary, Chair of IFA Potato Committee

Market Analysis – long term view and look at consumer trends
Kantar

Who is our consumer?
Michal Slawski, Bord Bia

Season 2026 impact in Europe & what does this mean for the future?
Europatat

GIY – who, what, why
Mick Kelly, GIY

Diversification at grower level
Con Trass, The Apple Farm and IFA

Panel discussion

Facilitated by Michael Hennessy, Head of Crops Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc

Panellists include:

• Con Trass, The Apple Farm and IFA
• Michal Slawski, Bord Bia
• Mick Kelly, GIY
• Europatat representative

12:30pm – 2pm
Lunch

2pm
Session 2

Chaired by Michael Hennessy, Head of Crops Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc

Session introduction – Horticulture Report and the impact of irrigation
Dermot Callaghan,  (10 Mins)

Breakout sessions

Breakout session 1

• Irrigation for the future
  Gavin Prentice, SRUC
• Licencing for water extraction
  EPA representative

Breakout session 2

• Varieties for the future
  Teagasc representative
• Growing alternative markets
  Tom Murray, O’Shea Farms

4pm
Trade show

5pm
Conference close