Agricultural advisor Domhnall Kennedy with the Shalvey family - Aoife (17), dad Patrick, mum Geraldine and Enda (21). Missing from photo is Colum (18).

Maudabawn Macra clubman selected as best new member

Maudabawn Macra were celebrating as Enda Shalvey has been named this year’s Macra na Feirme ‘Best New Member’ at the 2017 Macra Rally. Enda came to national prominence as a member of the family that hosted RTE's ‘Big Week on the Farm’, writes Thomas Lyons.

The 21-year-old dairy farmer from Cootehill, along with his mum Geraldine, dad Patrick, brother Colum (18) and sister Aoife (17), brought their farm into the living rooms of the country as part of the popular farming show.

In mid-October Enda received notification that he was in the last 12 finalists of the competition: “I was thrilled with that.”
Enda said that winning the award came as a surprise to him: “I didn't know what to make of it. I went up for an interview. It only lasted about 15 minutes but they asked me all about my time in Macra and what I had done. It was easy because we had a great year since we were re-established.”
“We [Maudabawn Macra] have raised over €10,000 for charity in the club this year. On Saturday night we were in the awards hall. We had to do a two minutes on stage interview. They called out the winner as Enda Shalvay and, shur, I got an awful hop.”
Enda joined Macra in early April 2016. His Macra involvement started with a bang, being part of the ballad and novelty acts that made it through to the NTC National final that year. Since then, it has been a full schedule with various events throughout both the county of Cavan and around the country. Enda said that the best experience with Macra to date was his time playing in Croke Park in June.