Kilmallock celebrate 60 years

IRISH farmers will return to where they first banded together when the 60th anniversary of the Kilmallock Macra na Feirme club in Co Limerick is celebrated on November 20.

Kilmallock is the only surviving Macra founding club, the last trace of a fledgling farmers’ movement which went on to spawn the IFA and ICMSA, and build the foundation of much of the modern Irish farming industry.

At Bulgaden Castle on November 20, the special guest will be former senior Department of Agriculture officer, Dr Harry Spain, who founded the club in 1944 and played a leading role in launching Macra as a national organisation. Edward O’Leary, the only surviving founder member, will attend, along with relatives of the other founding members.