Clonakilty victorious at 2025 Colleges Challenges Day
Eight teams from agricultural, equine and horticultural colleges gathered in Clonakilty Agricultural College on Wednesday, February 12 for the 2025 Macra and Teagasc Colleges Challenges Day.
Colleges Challenges Day – a highlight in the education calendar year - featured competitions in stock judging, tractor driving, welding, fencing and low-cloche construction, as well as a mix of sporting challenges and practical challenges using online tools.
This year, Clonakilty Agricultural College were crowned overall winners on home ground, even though students from all the participating colleges demonstrated their expertise and adaptability - making for an exciting contest.
The 2025 Macra and Teagasc Colleges Challenges Day Overall Winners: Clonakilty Agricultural College, pictured with Elaine Houlihan, Macra President and Dr. Anne Marie Butler, Teagasc Head of Education
Results of the 2025 Macra and Teagasc Colleges Challenges Day:
- Indoor Soccer: Clonakilty Agricultural College;
- Tractor Driving Simulator Challenge: Kildalton Agricultural College;
- NBI Farm Business and Technology Award: Ballyhaise Agricultural College;
- FRS Presentation: Clonakilty Agricultural College;
- Specialist Skills: College of Amenity Horticulture, Botanic Gardens;
- Team Tractor Driving: Clonakilty Agricultural College;
- FRS Fencing: Clonakilty Agricultural College;
- Team Problem Solving: Joint winners – Kildalton Agricultural College & Mountbellew Agricultural College;
- Welding: Gurteen Agricultural College;
- Final Team Challenge: Gurteen Agricultural College;
- Overall winners: Clonakilty Agricultural College
The event was also covered and televised by TG4, with students from around the country giving interviews as Gaeilge. The coverage on TG4 is available to view here.
Competitions
FRS Farm Services sponsored two competitions: the FRS Memorial Scholarship Presentation, which offers the winner an internship with FRS and an opportunity to work in a dynamic organisation; and FRS Fencing Competition, which challenges students to showcase best practice in fencing.
Pat O’Sullivan, FRS Fencing, praised the standard of competition, particularly in the FRS Memorial Scholarship Presentation which this year focussed on the circular economy.
Pat O’Sullivan said: “It was wonderful to support the FRS Memorial Scholarship Presentation. The quality of work, depth of knowledge and effort put in by students was truly impressive.
“It’s fantastic to see learners from such a diverse range of backgrounds competing at such a high level. Congratulations to Clonakilty Agricultural College for winning this year’s FRS Presentation and FRS Fencing competition."
National Broadband Ireland (NBI), sponsored the Farm Business and Technology Award, which challenged students to use online technologies to analyse a given area and to propose practical solutions to protect the quality of water in that area. Niall Beirne, Head of Corporate Communications at NBI, spotlighted technology as a critical tool in modern land use practice.
Niall Beirne said: “The NBI Farm Business and Technology Challenge focuses on how technology enhances farming and other land use industries.
“In successive years of this competition, the standard of knowledge and use of technology to support land-based sectors of agriculture, horticulture and equine continues to rise.
“NBI is delighted to see this continued progression, demonstrated by the friendly but fiercely competitive preparation and engagement from the colleges. Well done to all the students and in particular, Ballyhaise Agricultural College, on their success.”
2025 winners of the NBI Farm Business and Technology Award: Ballyhaise Agricultural College with Niall Beirne, Head of Corporate Communications at NBI (left) followed by Steven Macklan, Adam Smith and Conal Daly.
A celebration of skill, teamwork and agricultural excellence
The 2025 Colleges Challenges Day was a celebration of skill, teamwork and agricultural excellence.
Commenting on the event Macra President, Elaine Houlihan acknowledged the dedication of the students and organisers:
"Macra is delighted to work with Teagasc, Farm Services and National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to run this fantastic event. The commitment and enthusiasm of the students were evident in every competition and it was great to see such a high level of participation. These young farmers and rural professionals are the future of the industry, and events like this help develop their skills and confidence. Huge congratulations to Clonakilty Agricultural College on their well-deserved win."
Dr. Anne-Marie Butler, Head of Education at Teagasc, highlighted the value of the event for students, adding: "Challenges Day is an important event in the Teagasc education calendar, giving students the opportunity to put their skills into practice, work together and engage in friendly competition.
"It’s fantastic to see the energy and enthusiasm from all the colleges. We are proud to work with Macra, Farm Services and National Broadband Ireland in delivering this event and wish all participants continued success in their studies and careers," she said.