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The 19th annual Mr. Personality Festival 2026 took place in Langton’s Hotel Kilkenny on the 10th and 11th of April. Patrick Walton, from Callan Macra represented Kilkenny throughout the weekend and went on to be crowned the first Kilkenny winner of Mr Personality. The festival was hosted by Kilkenny County Macra and was sponsored by Kilkenny/Carlow and District Farm Relief Services.  25 contestants travelled from across the country to Langton’s Hotel, Kilkenny for a fun-filled weekend.  On Friday afternoon, the contestants were brought to the Smithwick’s experience for their first activity of the weekend. This was later followed by on-stage...

Macra National President Josephine O’Neill, accompanied by members of the organisation, met with MEPs Norbert Lins and Maria Walsh at UCD Lyons Farm on Thursday, 9th April, to discuss the key challenges facing young farmers in Ireland and the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The engagement brought together representatives from Macra, UCD and EU policymakers for a focused discussion on generational renewal and the sustainability of the agricultural sector. During the visit, Macra outlined the significant barriers currently facing young farmers, with particular emphasis on succession, access to land and access to finance. The organisation stressed that without...

Macra welcomes the €100m emergency package announced by the Government as a significant step in the right direction towards supporting young farmers and rural young people over the next five months. Macra had been calling for the development of a crisis response scheme, and following direct engagement with the Minister for Agriculture over the weekend, during which the organisation highlighted the need for targeted support and concerns surrounding criteria of the proposals, which may affect young farmers' accessibility. The organisation welcomes the usage based support scheme and the confirmation of consideration for new entrants in the development of the scheme....

Macra to voice concerns of young people at Friday’s stakeholder meeting with key asks based on results of a fuel and fertiliser survey of its members. Macra has called for urgent and targeted supports for young people living in rural Ireland ahead of Friday’s fuel meeting at Agriculture House in Dublin, as nationwide fuel protests continue. Over 370 young farmers, contractors and rural dwellers responded to a Fuel and Fertiliser Crisis survey circulated by Macra to its membership. The findings highlight the scale of the pressure facing rural communities, with over 94% of respondents indicating they are financially impacted by...

Macra has expressed growing concern about the rising cost of energy and the significant impact it is having on young people living and working in rural Ireland. Increasing fuel prices are placing additional financial pressure on many young people who are already grappling with the high cost of living. The rising price of fuel for agricultural vehicles is placing a significant burden on young farmers. Young farmers operating on tight budgets and small margins may find this unexpected increase particularly challenging. "Our young farmers are facing a stark reality. In recent weeks, the price they receive for their produce has...