Awards nurture rural development

MOUNTMELLICK in Co Laois has won the Macra na Feirme AIB club of the year award.

Macra president Catherine Buckley said training in management and leadership skills is at the core of the organisation’s mission.

Anne Finnegan, AIB, said the competition celebrates the contribution the Macra na Feirme club network makes to the development of rural communities. The winning Mountmellick club got €1,750, while the two runners-up — Ballinascarthy (Carbery) and Carrigaline (Seandun), from Co Cork, got €850 each.