"There won't be a cow milked tomorrow," commented one young dairy farmer in the Bridge Bar on Tuesday night, as the group edged closer to a new era.

Young and old congregated in the small bar to say goodbye to the quota regime. For the first time in 31 years, dairy farmers have the freedom to milk as much as they want without the fear of superlevy fines.

The mood was optimistic at the event, which was one of many celebrations taking place across the country. Some looked forward, while others remembered the introduction of the regime in 1984.

Jim O'Leary, a Dairygold supplier, recalled how difficult it was starting out as a dairy farmer when the quotas were introduced.

"But farmers today still face the same problems," he added. "And have to be careful when it comes to expansion. Dairy farming is a tough life. I think sharemilking is the new way forward."

However, others spoke excitedly about the future as pints flowed as freely as milk will in years to come.

"The future is going to be good," said Donal O'Loughlin. "Farmers have been cut back because of the quotas. All of a sudden they have room to expand. We're not looking over our shoulders all the time. There is a bit of volatility there at the moment, but hopefully we'll get over that."

Meanwhile, almost 250 farmers turned up to the Grangemockler end of quota party in Tipperary at the foot of Slievenamon.

The party was the brainchild of local dairy farmers Jim White and Walter Power and fellow members of the Kildalton Dairy Discussion Group, with all donations were in aid of the local Carrick-on-Suir Hospice.

The party started at 9pm and finished shortly after midnight when two cows were milked either side of midnight to signify the end of one era and the start of an EU world without quotas.

Local auctioneer John Cunningham sold two high EBI heifer calves donated by local farmers Bill Carroll and Tom Kennedy. The Kildalton Group retained ownership of one calf purchased for €800 and she will be raised on Tom Kennedy’s farm and given to Bothar in two years time. The other calf went to local farmer Joan Widger from Kilsheelan for €840.