North West Macra crowns 2023 king and queen

Sally Siggins, public relations officer of North-West Macra Executive Committee, provides That’s Farming’s readers with an update following the weekend’s North-West Macra na Feirme competition.

North-West Macra na Feirme has crowned its 2023 King and Queen.

The region’s hotly anticipated event took place at Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo, on Saturday, January 21^st, 2023, back to its usual spot in the Macra calendar.

The event, in its 15^th year, saw north-west counties put forward a king and queen to represent their county in the hopes of becoming the Aurivo North West King and Queen.

Counties included Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, Longford, Roscommon, Mayo and Galway.

During the event, which Aurivo Co-Operative Society was the headline sponsor of, candidates took part in activities during the day, along with on-stage interviews during the banquet meal.

Speeches before the meal were given by Caroline Millar: Aurivo, John Keane – Macra president, and Francis Brennan: Mayo Macra.

MC on the night was iRadio’s Dave Duke, who brought much excitement and entertainment to the evening.

The Waxies got the crowd on the dancefloor, followed by DJ Dave Duke into the small hours of the morning.

Donegal’s Francis Barron (Donegal Bay) and Sligo’s Karen Rowe (Benbulben) were chosen as the Aurivo North West Macra King and Queen 2023.

Other results:

• 2^nd: Roisin McGovern from Carrigallen Macra, Leitrim, & Shane Dolphin from Greylakes Macra, Galway.
• 3^rd: Amy Morrow from Donegal Bay Macra, Donegal & Aodhán McHale, from Deel/Ardagh Macra, Mayo.

Other contestants included:

• Donal Roper from Benbulben Macra, Sligo;
• Kevin Boyle from South Leitrim Macra, Leitrim;
• Rebekah Cahill from Greenfield Macra, Galway;
• Chloe Gallagher from Swinford Macra, Mayo;
• Ryan McMahon from Castleblayney Macra, Monaghan and Shania Farrell from Three Parishes Macra, Monaghan;
• John Fallon from South Roscommon Macra, Roscommon and Sinead Flanagan from Elphin-Castlerea Macra, Roscommon.
• Kevin Smith and Sinead McCormack from Ramor Macra, Cavan.
• Eoin Dennehy and Maria Beirne from South Longford Macra, Longford.

Kings and Queens judges included:

• Niamh Jinks – Representing Aurivo;
• Eiméar Mulvey – Sligo Rose of Tralee 2022;
• Caroline Millar – Representing Aurivo;
• Thomas Walsh – Sligo County Councillor.

The North-West Kings and Queens organising committee included:

• Luna Orofiamma – Vice President;
• Ruth Harney – Vice Chair;
• Grainne Davey – Secretary;
• Niamh Farrell – Vice Secretary;
• Thomas Kane – Treasurer;
• Diarmuid Murray – Vice Treasuer;
• Sally Siggins – PRO;

Sponsors were:

• Aurivo Co-Operative Society: Nutrias & Homeland;
• Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo
• Cormac Tagging;
• McHale;
• EJ’s Menswear
• EJ’s Little Sister
• Castle Adventure Open Farm
• Bannon Bespoke Creations

On the night, the winners of the Unsung Hero, County of the Region and Silage competitions were also announced.

The judges for Unsung Hero and County of the Region were:

• Francis Brennan – Mayo;
• Elaine Houlihan – Macra Munster Vice President;
• Claire Gough – Macra Leinster Vice President.

Winners as follows:

Unsung Hero:

• Joey Finneran (Roscommon);

County of the Region:

• 1^st – Roscommon;
• 2^nd – Cavan;
• 3^rd – Sligo.

Silage Competition:

• 1^st – Diarmuid Murray;
• 2^nd – Conor Lavery;
• 3^rd – Paul Monagle.

It was a fantastic day in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo, with many new members and new clubs attending, taking part in competitions and taking home silverware.

We are already looking forward to Kings and Queens 2023.