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The very best of Macra was on display in the Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery, on Saturday, October 25th, at the finals of the 2025 Club of the Year and Best New Member Competitions. The cream of the Macra crop headed for Rosscarbery to take part in the finals, with clubs and members representing all corners of the country.  Nine clubs took part in the main Club of the Year competition with three more clubs in the newly established Best Emerging Club Category.  The judges had a difficult task, with each of the clubs creating excellent visual displays. After much deliberation,...

It was a clean sweep for the Rebel County with Cork clubs taking the top three spots in the Macra Know Your Ag Quiz, which took place on Friday, October 24th at the Macra National Conference.  This year’s Rally has taken over the Celtic Ross Hotel, and is hosted by Carbery Macra.  Kilmeen Macra were in third place, Awbeg Macra took home second prize, and Terelton Macra were the winners on the night.  Congratulations to the winning teams and to all who took part, and a sincere thank you to the Irish Farmer’s Journal, who have been the long-standing sponsor...

Macra President Josephine O’Neill has issued a mixed reaction to Budget 2026, welcoming key investments and supports for rural communities and the agriculture sector, while strongly criticising the Government for once again failing to deliver meaningful measures to support generational renewal. Speaking after the Budget announcement, Ms. O’Neill stated: “There are aspects of today’s Budget that deserve to be acknowledged and welcomed. The extension of essential agricultural tax reliefs that Macra had sought including the 100% Young Trained Farmer Stamp Duty Relief, Farm Restructuring Capital Gains Tax Relief and Farm Consolidation Stamp Duty Relief along with Accelerated Capital Allowance for...

Macra National President Josephine O’Neill has called on the Government to ensure that this year’s National Budget delivers meaningful support for young farmers and rural communities, highlighting several key policy priorities that must be addressed if rural Ireland is to thrive into the future. Speaking ahead of Budget Day, Ms. O’Neill stated: “This Budget is a critical moment to show young people living and working in rural Ireland that their future matters. The decisions made now will determine whether the next generation can continue to farm, build communities, and sustain rural life. We need more than token gestures — we...

Macra proudly recognised the outstanding dedication, leadership, and volunteerism of its members at a special awards ceremony held following the National Training Day in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, on Saturday, September 27th. The day featured the final of the Macra National Leadership Awards, where finalists completed a problem-solving session followed by individual interviews with the judging panel. Each finalist was honoured with a President’s Medal, with three exceptional members going on to receive the prestigious Macra National Leadership Awards. The evening also saw the presentation of the Volunteer of the Year Awards, which recognise the unsung heroes in clubs, counties...