One of the main travel opportunities with Macra na Feirme is the European Rally. The rally is organised by Rural Youth Europe and is a multilateral youth exchange where teams of five young people from each member organisation come together for a week-long programme of activities, workshops and seminars to build leadership, teamwork, education and intercultural experience.

This year’s European Rally took place in Ratnieki, Latvia from 6 to 13 August where approximately 100 people from all over Europe gathered to share experiences, cultural diversity and to discuss the common challenges for the development of rural areas throughout the continent.

The theme of the rally was ‘‘Active, Inspired, Rural’’ and the Irish delegation consisted of Deirdre Kennedy from Sligo, Tom O’Donoghue from Waterford, John O’Driscoll from Cork, Shane Quigley from Mayo and Patrick Deasy from Cork.

The programme of activities ensured that delegates were never idle with a range of workshops and excursions to participate in from playing Bongo drums by candlelight at the Baltic Sea to sampling food and drink from other countries at the international night.

As part of the European Championships, countries had to compete in a wide range of fun challenges as a team, concluding in a volleyball tournament.

Teams had the opportunity to explore more of the region as part of either the rural air expedition, which included a visit to a 900ha dairy farm or the urban air expedition. This consisted of a visit to diversified farm enterprise which now operates as a golf course in the summer and a ski resort in the winter and a motor museum, which featured a number of cars belonging to Stalin.

There was also some time to explore the street markets in Riga city. As this was the 60th anniversary of Rural Youth Europe, each team got to plant a tree to mark their country’s involvement, while Seamus O’Brien – a former past president of both Macra na Feirme and CEJA – was on hand to deliver the keynote speech at the gala dinner/closing ceremony. Seamus was involved with Rural Youth Europe for a number of years in the 1960s and attended his first rally in 1965.

Delegates worked with their Rural Youth Europe counterparts exploring issues affecting rural youth across Europe with a view to becoming more aware of socially relevant topics, discovering new cultures and strengthening values such as democracy and solidarity.

They also participated in workshops across a range of topics including human rights, environmental issues, climate change and the future of Europe.

Speaking of her experience at the rally, Deirdre Kennedy from Sligo said: ‘‘I’m incredibly proud and honoured to have had the opportunity to represent Ireland and Macra at the European Youth Rally in Latvia and to be part of such a really great team. From meeting new people, experiencing different cultures and learning about decision-making and human rights ,which we take for granted, I return home with a new perspective and memories I will treasure forever. We as a team are really grateful to Macra for the opportunity to represent the organisation at this event. It has been an amazing week and one that we will never forget.’’