Irish Grown Wool Council Appoints New Chair with Legal and Farming Expertise
Brian McInerney was ratified as the new Chair of the Irish Grown Wool Council for a two-year term to lead the organisation at its recent AGM on Thursday 22nd May 2025.
Brian McInerney is a Senior Counsel and Member of the Inner Bar with a distinguished career in the Irish legal system and has been a practicing barrister since 1994. With over three decades of legal and advocacy experience, he leads with integrity and strategic insight.
Previously in January 2023, Brian was co-opted onto the Council of the Irish Limousin Cattle Society for a period of one year. In that role he was tasked with reviewing matters of governance. He played a key role in strengthening their governance frameworks and guiding the Council through key strategic decisions.
A seasoned legal professional with a long-standing commitment to good governance, Brian McInerney also brings with him a deep, personal connection to the Irish wool sector through his own experience as a sheep farmer. Based in County Clare, he has been actively involved in agriculture for many years, keeping a flock of sheep and engaging directly with the day-to-day realities of wool production. His dual expertise in legal strategy and farming gives him a rare perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry today.
Brian McInerney, Irish Grown Wool Council Chair, May 2025
“I’m very pleased to step into the role of Chair at the Irish Grown Wool Council at such an important time for Irish wool,” said Brian McInerney. “Wool is an incredible natural material sustainable, renewable and deeply woven into our cultural identity. Yet for too long, it has been undervalued. My goal is to help strengthen the systems that support Irish grown wool and to ensure it gets the recognition and investment that it deserves.”
The Irish Grown Wool Council (IGWC) has been at the forefront of efforts to reposition Irish wool as a valuable and viable part of the country’s rural economy since its formation in April 2023. The organisation works across sectors from Wool Quality & Presentation, Education & Outreach, Brand & Marketing, Research & Development to Governance & Funding. The IGWC facilitates collaboration and promotes the use of Irish wool across sectors and industries.
Under McInerney’s leadership, the organisation plans to expand its membership and deepen its advocacy efforts, working closely with farmers, policymakers, stakeholders and the public to drive a stronger, more resilient future for Irish grown wool.
This is a voluntary position and the appointment represents a major step forward for the organisation. With a foot in both the legal and farming worlds, Brian McInerney understands how to navigate complex systems while staying connected to the grassroots realities members face.
The appointment comes at a time of growing public interest in natural and sustainable materials. Wool, which is biodegradable, locally produced and low-impact, is increasingly being recognised as a key material in addressing environmental challenges and supporting regenerative rural practices.
Brian McInerney will guide the organisation as it continues to raise awareness of wool’s environmental and economic benefits, support knowledge-sharing among stakeholders and advocate for policy that recognises wool as a national asset.
The Irish Grown Wool Council will also be at Bord Bia Bloom festival in the Irish Craft Village demonstrations area this Thursday 29th May. See Portach Álainn (Beautiful Bogland) a felted sculpture by textile artist Sharon Wells, made using Irish grown wool and recycled yarns to create dragonflies, heather, bog cotton and moss. Also interactive activities for all ages, including wildflower wool sculpture felting and peg loom demos plus a showcase of Irish-grown wool products. www.irishgrownwoolcouncil.com/bordbiabloom2025/
Also taking place over the June Bank holiday weekend is Shearfest 2025 in Galway, the European and Connacht Sheep Shearing & Woolhandling Championships. A weekend of sheep-shearing, family fun and more at Mountbellew Mart Grounds, Galway. Competitors from across Europe will gather for the largest dedicated sheep event in Ireland in 2025. These championships are often described as the “Olympics of sheep shearing”. See www.shearfest.ie for more details.
About Irish Grown Wool Council
The Irish Grown Wool Council was established in April 2023 based on the recommendations of a Department of Agriculture Food & Marine (DAFM) sponsored report ‘Review Of Market Opportunities For Irish-Grown Wool Based Products’.
The Irish Grown Wool Council is focused on creating additional value in the total Irish grown wool chain to ensure a fair proportion goes to the farmer. Their purpose is to promote an Irish grown wool brand, locally and globally. They work with farmers (primary producers), industry, enterprise, education, general public, media, partners, agencies and research providing organisations and Governments, (nationally and internationally).
Supported also by a Wool Research & Innovation Hub ‘Wool Hub’, hosted by the MTU Circular Bioeconomy Cluster South-West where researchers from institutions across the Island of Ireland collaborate on sustainable processes and products incorporating Irish wool.
The Irish Grown Wool Council’s objective is to transform Irish grown wool; an underutilised and undervalued resource, into a branded value-added product for the benefit of farmers (primary producers) and the wider supply chain. Building on a rich heritage to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the characteristics of Irish wool, improving the quality and sustainability of Irish grown wool. They facilitate collaboration in product and market research to ultimately apply innovative product solutions.
The Irish Grown Wool Council brings wool stakeholders together to realise the true potential of Irish grown wool, locally and globally. Bringing wool stakeholders from across the island of Ireland together to realise the potential of Irish grown wool as a natural, sustainable and versatile material. Irishgrownwoolcouncil.com