EESC President Boland hosts EU Commissioner Marta Kos on his family farm in County Offaly

On Tuesday 8 September 2026, European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) President Séamus Boland welcomed European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos to his family farm in Ballycumber, County Offaly, for discussions on EU enlargement and the essential role of civil society in preparing candidate countries for membership. The meeting took place during Commissioner Kos's visit to Ireland for the EU Council Presidency meetings of foreign affairs and European affairs ministers in Wicklow and Dublin.

The visit also provided an opportunity to exchange views on how rural communities, farmers and civil society organizations contribute to economic resilience, social inclusion, and democratic participation – values that are central to the EU and the enlargement process. President Boland showed how his family farm combines productive agriculture with environmental stewardship, offering a practical example of sustainable rural development.

President Boland said: "It was a great pleasure to welcome Commissioner Kos to my farm. Enlargement is one of the EU's most important strategic projects. It is about bringing people together around shared values of democracy, solidarity and opportunity. As someone who has spent their life working with rural communities and civil society organisations, I know that successful enlargement must involve citizens and communities, not just governments and institutions."

Commissioner Kos said: "Thank you, President Boland, for welcoming me here today. Europe is built in our communities, by people who take responsibility for their future. The same is true for enlargement. Joining the EU means changing laws, but above all transforming societies. Governments have to lead, but we need citizens, farmers, businesses and civil society to make enlargement a success. Their voice must be part of the process from the very beginning."

The visit reflects the close cooperation between the EESC and the European Commission on enlargement to ensure civil society are at the heart of this process. This includes the EESC's pioneering Enlargement Candidate Members initiative, run in close cooperation with the Commission, which brings representatives of organised civil society from candidate countries directly into the Committee's work and helps prepare them for future EU membership. 

Ireland's current Presidency of the Council of the EU offers a timely opportunity to advance the accession of candidate countries including Albania, Moldova, Montenegro and Ukraine by sustaining reform momentum and keeping civil society fully engaged in the process.

President Boland's farm is managed in partnership with his son Jamie and uses only natural and non-chemical fertilisers as part of its sustainable farming practices. The farm is around 32 hectares in size and has 51 beef heifers for beef production, as well as around 25 sheep at certain points of the year. 

The farm has been owned by the Boland family since 1890. President Boland took over its day-to-day running aged 14 in 1970 after his father became unwell. 

In July, President Boland hosted European Commissioner for the Environment Jessika Roswall on his farm for a discussion on sustainable farming, biodiversity and the future of rural communities. 

The EESC is the voice of organised civil society in Europe. It represents employers, workers and civil society organisations. The expertise of its 329 members helps optimise the quality of EU policies and legislation.

For media enquiries and photos, please contact:
Hugh Reilly, EESC President's spokesperson 
hugh.reilly@eesc.europa.eu 
+32 (0) 473 33 27 50