US Ambassador visits Teagasc Oak Park
Teagasc welcomed the Ambassador of the United States of America to Ireland, His Excellency, Mr. Edward Sharp Walsh, to Teagasc Oak Park, Carlow recently.
HE Mr. Edward Sharp Walsh, Ambassador of the United States of America to Ireland, discussing the latest malting barley research with Professor Frank O’ Mara, Teagasc Director, John Spink, and Dr Ewen Mullins on a recent visit to the Teagasc Crops Research Centre, Oak Park, Carlow.
Mr. Liam Herlihy, Teagasc Chairperson and Professor Frank O’ Mara, Teagasc Director welcomed the Ambassador and outlined how a financial contribution in the 1950’s from the United States Government led to the setting up of An Foras Talúntais (AFT), the Agricultural Research Institute in Ireland. This organisation was one of the predecessors of Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority in Ireland.
Existing areas of collaboration between Teagasc and research and academic institutions, and with food companies in the United States, were discussed.
The FAPRI-Ireland Partnership, was established in the mid-1990s between Teagasc and the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri, to develop economic models to quantify the effect of policy reform on agricultural markets and farm income in Ireland. The FAPRI-Ireland models have been used to examine numerous policy questions and play a central role in the policy formation process by providing timely, evidence-based information to Irish policy makers and industry stakeholders.
Six US food companies have researchers located in the National Food Innovation Hub based in Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork, where they interact with Teagasc expertise and utilise the state-of-the-art facilities available and the MTL food processing pilot plant.
Managed by the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange (IUSCEE) since 1957, the Fulbright bilateral exchange programme has played an essential role in strengthening the special relationship between the U.S. and Ireland and building lasting ties between both nations by facilitating academic and cultural exchanges. 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Programme. The programme selects outstanding candidates across disciplines ranging from health, technology, science and business to the arts, heritage and the Irish language.
HE Mr. Edward Sharp Walsh, Ambassador of the United States of America to Ireland, with Liam Herlihy, Teagasc Chairperson, and Professor Frank O’ Mara, Teagasc Director, pictured in Teagasc Oak Park in front of a plaque that commemorates a financial contribution in the 1950’s from the United States government used to establish An Foras Talúntais (AFT), the Agricultural Research Institute in Ireland.
There are close ties between Teagasc and many US Universities, with numerous Teagasc staff having completed their PhD’s in the United States and have subsequently maintained and developed close research collaborations.
A copy of two books, ‘Growing Knowledge’, a history of An Foras Talúntais and a copy of ‘Oak Park: People, Place and Politics’, by Catherine Delaney, were presented to Ambassador Walsh by Liam Herlihy, Teagasc Chairperson.
HE Mr. Edward Sharp Walsh, Ambassador of the United States of America to Ireland, with Liam Herlihy, Teagasc Chairperson, Professor Frank O’ Mara, Teagasc Director, and other Teagasc management, at a recent meeting in Teagasc Headquarters, Oak Park, Carlow.