The Stylish Silage competition returns to Drumshanbo as part of the Co Leitrim town's An Tóstal event, which runs from 1 July to 7 July.

Despite the fodder crisis earlier this year, decorative bales have been popping up around the town over the past couple of weeks. This is the second year of the Stylish Silage event, which sees competitors decorate silage bales as creatively as possible.

Chair of An Tóstal, Hugh James Gallagher said the 2017 Stylish Silage competition was an enormous success.

“Last year was a huge event – it really took us by surprise just how big it became. The standard of entries was very high too and people put an awful lot of time and effort into their bales," he said. The bales even attracted a lot of people into the area, with businesses reporting an upturn in activities.

A team of expert judges will cast their critical eye over the bales to see who has had the best and most creative designs. The bales chosen by the judges will then face a public vote, with the winners being unveiled at the Stylish Silage wrap party on Saturday, 7 July.

After last year’s huge success, farm machinery giant McHale has come on board as sponsors. The top prize is €300 cash and a €200 McHale voucher for its online shop.

“People are keeping their cards close to their chests this year. There is a lot of work going on in sheds across the region, there’s a lot of midnight oil being burned. We’re very excited to see all the efforts again this year,” Gallagher said.

There is still time to enter. Those in the area have until midday on Saturday, 30 June, to get their thinking caps on, find a bale and get the creative juices flowing.

The bales must be placed in a safe location and are the responsibility of the entrant.

Visit the An Tóstal Facebook page for more details.

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