Macra national conference comes to Meath for first time

Macra na Feirme's annual national young farmers conference takes place over the October bank holiday weekend in Meath when Meath Macra na Feirme hosts the Make It Meath Royal Rally 2017 in the CityNorth Hotel, Gormanston.

With main sponsor Meath County Council, and associate sponsor Keenan Alltech, the rally is the biggest event of the Macra year and will offer activities to suit everyone and a place for Macra members and non Macra- members to make memories that will last a life time.

The weekend will begin on Friday, 27th October when delegates from across the country will be welcomed to the City North Hotel. The conference will be officially opened on Friday night with the national final of the Irish Farmers Journal Know Your Ag table Quiz. Entertainment on Friday night will be provided by Over the Limit and DJ till late. Friday will be a fancy dress night with the theme of 'Heroes and Villains', with a prize on the night for best dressed.

There will be lots of options available for delegates and non-delegates on Saturday. Tour buses will depart from the City North Hotel on Saturday morning. There will be a beef tour (Kepak and Country Crest), a dairy tour (Joe Leonard and David Moore's Farms) as well as a food safari through the heart of the Boyne Valley that will include Michael Finnegan's Goat Farm, and Slane Distillery.　The conference will take place on Saturday afternoon. The topic of this year's conference is 'iFarmer - Technology in Agriculture'. Saturday night will include the national final of the Macra na Feirme Club of the year, Macra's best new member as well as a patrons' night for past Meath Macra members.　Music will be provided by The Waxies and DJ till late.

The national final of the Bord Bia Beef and Sheep Stock Judging will take place on Sunday morning. All day Sunday in the hotel there will be entertainment for delegates, non-delegates and non Macra members. There will be gladiator fights, bungee runs, an inflatable John Deere disco tractor, sumo wrestling and a puppy petting corner with thanks to Dogs Trust, the charity partner for the rally. The conference weekend will finish with a gala banquet on Sunday night, with entertainment from The Madisons and DJ till late.　

Dermot Connolly, chairman of the Rally committee says:  "This is the first time Macra's annual conference has been held in County Meath. We are delighted to have the opportunity to host the largest young farmers conference in Ireland. With thanks to Meath County Council and all our sponsors we look forward to welcoming everyone from across the country to the City North Hotel this October".

Full weekend event details, tour and entertainment prices and contact information can be found on the Rally website　www.royalrally2017.com. The weekend is open to all, Macra and non Macra members.　

The  ‘Make It Meath Royal Rally 2017’ takes place in the City North Hotel Gormanston, from Friday 27th  October to Monday 30th October. Follow the Rally on Facebook 'Macra Annual Conference/Rally', on snapchat and instagram 'royalrally2017' and twitter '@MacraConference'. #MakeItMeath #LetsMakeItReign