The search is on for the 2023 novice rostrum auctioneer, IPAV (Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers) Young Professionals Network, has confirmed this afternoon (Friday).
Its fourth annual competition will return to Tattersalls, Ratoath, County Meath next month on Friday, February 10th, 2023.
In a statement, a spokesperson said:
“On the day of the competition, contestants will take to the rostrum in Tattersalls Ireland sales arena.”
“The competition involves a bidding sequence organised to demonstrate probable occurrences in the salesroom and to test the competitor’s skill, knowledge, and presence on the rostrum.”
“Tattersalls makes for a highly anticipated and exhilarating event where budding auctioneers compete for a place in the final.
Later that evening, the 3 finalists will carry out one final auction for charity and compete for the first prize of a week’s rostrum training at America’s internationally renowned Texas Auction Academy in Dallas along with the Ronald Duff Memorial Rose Bowl,” the spokesperson added.
Darren Hession
As reported by That’s Farming, Darren Hession from Turloughmore, Co Galway lifted the IPAV novice rostrum auctioneer trophy at the event last year.
Hession graduated from GMIT/Mountbellew Agricultural College in November 2021 with a first-class honours in BSc (Hons) in agriculture and environmental management degree.
He completed IPAV’s ‘Green Cert’ top-up course in 2020 which enabled him to gain an auctioneering licence from the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA).
A summer job at Tuam Co-Operative Livestock Mart, which Darren Hession secured in summer 2017, set the foundations for Hession’s career in the auctioneering field.
Hession, who is one of the country’s apprentice youngest livestock and property auctioneers, was awarded a week’s training at America’s Auction Academy in Texas, which the world-famous Texas Academy sponsored.
He also received the Ron Duff Memorial perpetual Rose Bowl, which Antoinette Duff and family members of the late Ron Duff presented.
He told our editor, Catherina Cunnane:
“It was a dream come true to stand on the rostrum in Tattersalls. It is a national stage where some of the world’s leading bloodstock go under the hammer.”
Read about his journey.
How to enter
To follow in Hession’s footsteps by entering the competition, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You must hold a valid PSP licence issued by the PSRA;
- You do not need to hold a category A licence for this competition;
- You do not need to be a member of IPAV to participate;
- Rostrum experience not required;
- If you do have rostrum experience, you must not have been on the rostrum for more than five auctions in total up to January 25th, 2023.
Interested parties must complete a 2-page application form and return it with a €25 registration fee (payment options: card, EFT, or cheque) before the closing date of January 25th, 2023.
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