Latest news with #Mr.Personality
Agriland
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Agriland
Co. Waterford farmer crowned Blue Jean Country Queen 2025
A Co. Waterford farmer was named as the Blue Jean Country Queen for the first time in 22 years, in Athboy, Co. Meath, on Sunday (June 1). The winner was Amy Coffey, a 22-year-old secondary school teacher from Cappoquin Macra. Coffey has followed in the footsteps of her aunt, Carol Byrne, who was crowned in 2003. She received the perpetual trophy, golden sash, tiara, and €1000 from the events main sponsor Le Chéile Credit Union. Second place went to Heather O'Connell from Avondhu, Co. Cork, a member of Awberg Macra. Meanwhile, Mary O'Reilly, from Limerick Macra, finished in third place. The 2025 winner, Coffey said: 'It's a great honour to be the second Waterford winner. The weekend was amazing, I loved every second. 'I met incredible girls, and the committee, sponsors, Athboy locals, my host family, and my own supporters were all fantastic,' Coffey added. Blue Jean Country Queen Throughout the weekend, 21 contestants took part in a number of activities including a pub crawl, on-stage interviews, fancy dress football, a barbeque, and karaoke with the organisers and judges. The festival began on Friday with a visit to Causey Farm, where the participants took part in team building exercises. The opening day of the festival ended with the official opening at the Darnley Lodge Hotel, and the Nana Moon's pub crawl through Athboy. The competition was judged by former Mr. Personality winner, John Martin Carroll, the 1997 Meath Blue Jean Country Queen, Aileen Harte McMurty, and Croston Flood's Linda Croston. On Saturday (May 31), the participants had private interviews with the judges, followed by an action packed day of activities. That evening, contestants took part in live interviews at St James' Hall, Athboy, Co. Meath. Finally, on Sunday there was a 'heroes vs villains' fancy dress football match to kick off the Meath Farm Machinery Ltd. Lark in the Park family fun day. The results of the competition were revealed at the Darnley Lodge Hotel on Sunday night, followed by celebrations 'long into the night'.
Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Wexford man takes second place in national competition
Kilkenny Macra club held the festivities this year, which had the 24 contestants travelling from around Ireland to go through a series of challenges and interviews to be crowned a winner. A jam-packed weekend was in store for Eddie, whose hobbies and interests include bagpipe playing, hiking, jiving, singing, and birdwatching, and of course, his Macra club. Following a group activity once he set foot at the hotel, he was whisked off for an on-stage interview with MC Aindriú dePaor from 2FM. The following morning he was called into a private interview before his placing was announced at a banquet later that evening. Club member Sinead Kinsella said they were not surprised that he managed to charm the expert panel of judges. "Eddie's enthusiasm and charisma were evident throughout the weekend, particularly during his standout performance on the bagpipes, which showcased his unique talent and flair,' she said. The judging panel included Martin Merrick of the Irish Farmers Journal, 2024 Kilkenny Rose Lisa O'Rourke, and well-known auctioneer and local personality George Chandler. After careful deliberation, Tipperary's Sean Kelly was crowned the 2025 Mr. Personality. "Wexford Macra extend congratulations to Eddie on his outstanding achievement, noting that he did both Wexford and his native Cork proud. We also extend our congratulations to Sean Kelly on his win and commend his contributions to Macra,' she added.
Agriland
11-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
O'Neill takes the reins as Macra president at AGM
Josephine O'Neill was ratified as the new president of Macra at the organisation's AGM in Ennis, Co. Clare yesterday (Saturday, May 10). O'Neill, a secondary school teacher from Callan in Co. Kilkenny succeeded outgoing president, Elaine Houlihan. Former European Commissioner for Financial Services, Mairéad McGuinness also attended the event. At the AGM, McGuinness spoke about the importance of working together, thanked outgoing president Houlihan for all the work she did as president, and wished incoming president O'Neill all the best as she assumes the role. After lunch, the outgoing vice presidents and sub committee chairs addressed the conference, and received presentations from Houlihan. As outgoing president, Houlihan spoke to the conference, before handing over the chains of office to the new president. President O'Neill spoke about her excitement as she takes on the challenges of the role, and made a presentation to Houlihan to commemorate her two years as president. Macra CEO Mick Curran also thanked the outgoing presidential team, and expressed that he was looking forward to working with the incoming team. The day ended with a banquet, and an evening of entertainment and celebration. Macra president Josephine O'Neill with former EU Commissioner Mairéad McGuinness Macra Last month (April 2025), Tipperary dairy farmer, Sean Kelly, has spoken of his jubilation after being crowned this year's winner of Macra's famed Mr. Personality competition. The 32-year-old told Agriland that he has been a proud member of his local Macra club in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, for the past decade, having originally joined the club while studying at Gurteen Agricultural College in Ballingarry. The humble Nenagh native has accredited the organisation for transforming his self-confidence, which he has branded the biggest achievement in his Macra journey to date. Sean Kelly explained: 'I've gone from someone who would have had very poor self confidence, especially at a younger age around public speaking. The thought alone of speaking in front of a group of people would have sent me running a million miles away.'
Agriland
01-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Tipperary dairy farmer crowned Macra Mr. Personality 2025
Tipperary dairy farmer, Sean Kelly, has spoken of his jubilation after being crowned this year's winner of Macra's famed Mr. Personality competition. The 32-year-old told Agriland that he has been a proud member of his local Macra club in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, for the past decade, having originally joined the club while studying at Gurteen Agricultural College in Ballingarry. Kelly's personal Macra story is peppered with personal triumphs, having risen up the ranks from grassroots membership to the helm with prestigious titles, including: Club chair; County treasurer; National council representative (NCR) in north Tipperary for three years; Sports officer; Young farmer development group chair; Member of the Macra board of directors 2023-2024; Vice-chair of the Agricultural Affairs Committee 2023-2024; Current chair of Agricultural Affairs Committee. The humble Nenagh native has accredited the organisation for transforming his self-confidence, which he has branded the biggest achievement in his Macra journey to date. Sean Kelly explained: 'I've gone from someone who would have had very poor self confidence, especially at a younger age around public speaking. The thought alone of speaking in front of a group of people would have sent me running a million miles away. 'Now I'm someone who's actively representing and voicing the concerns of young farmers at meetings as chair of Macra's Agricultural Affairs Committee. That's probably the biggest accolade I've achieved. 'The great thing about Macra is that it can push you out of your comfort zone because when you take on those roles, you have a responsibility to deliver, so there is huge room for personal growth within the organisation.' After his election as representative of north Tipperary in the county rounds, Kelly went on to face 24 other contenders at the nationals, which took place over the course of last weekend (April 25-27) at The Hub in Kilkenny city. 2025 Macra Mr. Personality competitors. Source: Macra Facebook The competition comprised various stages of evaluation, including both a staged public and private interview, as well as ice-breaker activities like bowling, jiving and team bonding exercises. Speak about their jiving exploits, Kelly commented: 'I don't know if you could even call it jiving, we were attempting to jive but God knows we weren't the most coordinated of groups.' The interviews touched on the candidate's personal lives, the extent of their Macra involvement and community engagement over the years, which were then assessed by the judges in attendance: Agricultural journalist, Martin Merrick; Kilkenny Rose of Tralee, Lisa O'Rourke; Kilkenny Mart auctioneer, George Candler. Despite having 10 years of Macra membership and leadership roles under his belt, 2025 marked the first time Kelly competed for the title of Mr. Personality. According to Kelly, he faced stiff competition remarking that all of the hopefuls would have made a worthy winner. 'I suppose I always would have felt that there was always someone who would be a better fit to represent north Tipperary,' he continued. 'But this year I just said, you know what? I've been in the organisation a long time, I've done a lot for the organisation so I'll throw my name in the hat and see how I go. I was just fortunate on the night to win the title. For Kelly, his personal journal of self development has run in parallel with his own club's success over the years, which the farmer claimed is currently thriving. He added: 'I suppose I knew going down that I had done a huge amount for the organisation, but I have also gained a huge amount from it as well. 'I kind of look at Macra the same way I look at the farm – every farmer wants to pass the farm on in a better place than it was when they received it, and that's my aim with Macra. 'Even with my own club in Nenagh, it was tough going for a few years. Myself and Bill Gleeson would have to swap chair and secretary roles every year because there was no one else who wanted to do it. 'But now, for the first time ever, neither of us have a role in our club because new blood has come through which is absolutely brilliant to see, especially given how isolated rural Ireland has become. Macra is an absolutely fantastic outlet to have for young people in these areas.'
