A COUNTY Limerick farming family was honoured with a mayoral reception for their unique five-in-a-row so perhaps it is no surprise Limerick hurling manager John Kiely was in attendance to see what he could learn!
County Hall felt more like Croke Park on Thursday night as Mayor Gerald Mitchell welcomed the Macnamara family, Knockainey Minor Ladies football team - county A champions for 2023 and the Limerick U16 Ladies football team, and many other guests.
The night was in recognition of John Macnamara's four farming national titles - FBD Young Farmer of the Year 2005, Farmyard of the Year 2009, Grassland Farmer of the Year 2018, and the winner of the 2023 National Dairy Council and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.
The 'five-in-a-row' was started by John’s late father Paddy who won the National Farmyard Award in 1969.
John, from Knockainey, was joined at the celebration by wife Olivia, their four children, Caoimhe, Conor, Ailbhe and Padraic, John’s mother Mary and Olivia’s mother Mary O’Leary.
Also present were John’s siblings Peter, Patrick, Angela and Mary Teresa with their families. John’s brother Francis, his wife Christy and their children Liam and Harper joined online from San Francisco.
“You have accumulated a lot of golds in your farming practices, a remarkable achievement by any standards and I acknowledge and celebrate with you here this evening the highest standards of excellence in dairy farming.
“Your grass-fed family farming system is ideally suited to the Irish climate and delivers world class produce that is enjoyed at home and revered by consumers all over the world,” said Mayor Mitchell, who added that working together fosters a strong family connection and ensures the Macnamara family values are ingrained on their farm.
John's second family is the GAA. He has been very involved in Knockainey GAA Club and Knockainey Ladies Football Club as well as at county level. He managed the county minor ladies football team for the 2023 season and was ladies football development officer for the last five years. There is hardly a role he hasn't filled.
Among the speakers were John Kiely, who got his hands on one of the few cups he hasn't won - the National Dairy Council and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards trophy; Elaine Houlihan, Macra president; Majella McCafferty, of the National Dairy Council, and David Gleeson, a judge. John spoke as well but he is a man who prefers to let his actions do the talking.
John Kiely presented medals to the Knockainey Minor Ladies football team, county A champions, before the Limerick U16 Ladies football team entertained the crowd and showed they are as talented off the pitch as on it.
In his speech, Mayor Mitchell touched upon John's voluntary work in his local community of Knockainey and Lough Gur, and his passion for passing on his knowledge to the next generation.
“You bring a lot of students and a lot of classes’ right from playschool up as far as the agricultural colleges onto the farm. On Tuesday, Caherelly national school junior and senior infants, along with their teachers, visited John’s farm.
“You are involved in the education side of things as well which displays your unselfish character. I understand that even this week John visited Knockainey, Lough Gur, Knocklong, Bulgaden, Martinstown and Bruff primary schools and shared his farming and football passions with the next generation,” said Mayor Mitchell.
In concluding his speech, the mayor said John is one man who doesn’t let the grass grow under his feet.
“It is my great pleasure to state here publicly this evening in the chamber, that John you are a worthy and deserving recipient, acknowledging your tireless unselfish efforts towards your community, sporting and farming practices.
“I wish you and your family every success and good wishes in all your future endeavours. We are very proud of you. You are a great ambassador for Limerick city and county,” said Mayor Mitchell.
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