Macra to 'stake their claim' at national Rally in Limerick

YOUNG farmers and rural youth from across Ireland will descend on Adare this October bank holiday weekend as Limerick Macra hosts the landmark 60th National Macra Rally, featuring a major agricultural and rural affairs conference headlined by Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

Taking place from October 23 to 25 at Fitzgerald Woodlands House Hotel, the National Rally will bring hundreds of Macra members to County Limerick for a weekend of competitions, farm tours, entertainment, networking and discussions on the future of farming and rural Ireland.

A major highlight of the weekend will be the Macra National Conference, taking place at 2pm on Saturday, under the theme “Staking Our Claim”.

The conference is open to the public, with farmers, rural residents and anyone interested in the future of agriculture and rural Ireland welcome to attend at Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel in Adare.

With the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) beyond 2027, generational renewal and the sustainability of rural communities firmly on the national agenda, the conference will provide an important platform for young farmers and rural young people to have their voices heard.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin will deliver the keynote address, while Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon will take part in a fireside chat, offering attendees an opportunity to hear directly from two of the country’s most senior political figures.

The conference will also feature two panel discussions bringing together leading representatives from European agriculture, research, industry, rural development and young farming.

Our Future at Stake – Farming Beyond 2027 - the first panel will focus on the future of Irish and European agriculture, particularly as negotiations surrounding the next CAP continue.

Joining the discussion will be Peter Meedendorp, President of the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA), who will bring a European perspective on the challenges facing the next generation of farmers.

He will be joined by Anne Kinsella of Teagasc, bringing research and economic expertise to the discussion, and Conor Mulvihill of Dairy Industry Ireland (DII), who will provide an insight into the future of Ireland’s dairy processing industry.

Also taking part will be Charlie Smyth, first runner-up in the Young Farmer of the Year competition, bringing the perspective of a young farmer directly involved in the industry.

The discussion will examine the challenges and opportunities facing young farmers beyond 2027, including farm viability, access to land, succession, agricultural policy and the long-term future of family farming.

Claiming Our Place – Building the Future of Rural Ireland - the second panel will broaden the discussion beyond the farm gate, focusing on the future of rural communities and the opportunities available to young people living and working in rural Ireland.

Dr Brian Leonard of University College Dublin will bring his expertise in generational renewal and rural viability, while James Claffey of Irish Rural Link will contribute perspectives on the challenges facing rural communities across the country.

They will be joined by Shay Riordan, CEO of West Limerick Resources, who will offer a local perspective on rural development, community supports and the importance of creating opportunities in rural areas.

Also joining the panel will be Michael Cantwell of Boulabán Farm, who will bring a valuable lived experience perspective to the discussion, sharing his own experiences of rural life and the challenges and opportunities facing those living and working in rural Ireland.

The discussion will explore the issues shaping rural Ireland, including access to services, employment opportunities, community development and the importance of ensuring rural areas remain attractive places for young people to build their futures.

Together, the two panels will highlight the close relationship between a thriving agricultural sector and strong, sustainable rural communities.

It’s a landmark weekend for Limerick Macra as it is the 60th National Macra Rally and it is also the first time in ten years that Limerick has hosted the National Rally, with a local organising committee working to deliver a packed programme showcasing the very best of the county.

Alongside the conference, delegates will have the opportunity to experience local agriculture and rural heritage through organised tours, including visits to John Macnamara’s award-winning Star View Farm, Doreen Corridon’s Roundhill Limousins and Old Irish Ways.

The weekend will also feature national competitions, live entertainment and social events, culminating in Sunday’s gala banquet and national awards presentations.

The 2026 National Rally is proudly supported by main sponsor Kinisla, whose sponsorship has helped bring the milestone event to Limerick.

Members of the public are encouraged to come along to the conference at 2pm on Saturday, in the Woodlands and join the conversation about the future of farming and rural Ireland.

Under the theme “Staking Our Claim”, the message of this year’s conference is clear: “The next generation must have a meaningful voice in the decisions shaping the future of farming and rural Ireland.”