Ireland experiences heavy frost and snow in some places

Arctic fog moves in over a farm in the townland of Tulla, Co Louth, this week as sheep enjoy the last of the sunshine. \ Barry Cronin

Dry cows grazing in the cold in Conna, Co Cork. \ Donal O' Leary

Dry cows grazing in the cold in Conna, Co Cork. \ Donal O' Leary

Leslie Austin feeding 1kg of maize and barley combined per head to his March-born Angus and Friesians at Ballyhasty, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary. \ Odhran Ducie

Beef and sheep farmer Simon Boylan from Glencullen, Co Dublin, feeding some of his cattle with hay. \ Philip Doyle

Simon Boylan from Glencullen, Co Dublin, feeding some of his cattle with hay. \ Philip Doyle

Cattle brave the cold snap on a frosty field at Crubany, Co Cavan. \ Lorraine Teevan

Ross Crowe checks the weight of a Vendéen lamb on the Crowe farm in Dunsany, Co Meath. The lamb was one of quadruplets born to a ewe earlier in the week. \ Damien Eagers

Alex, Karlis, Philip, Ivar and Ivar harvesting Brussels sprouts for A&E Weldon just outside Swords, Co Dublin. The freezing weather has made the process extremely challenging. \ Shane Halpin

Live animal crib officially opened in St Stephen's Green after relocation from the Mansion House

Arlo Egan and Jack Anderson from the YMCA crèche on Aungier St feed a donkey at the live animal crib. \ Finbarr O’Rourke

Zion Foley from YMCA crèche on Aungier St is shown the goat by owner Fionn Sherlock. \ Finbarr O’Rourke

Zion Foley and Christopher King from YMCA crèche on Aungier St. \ Finbarr O’Rourke

The 36th Royal Ulster Winter Fair got under way in Co Antrim

The 36th Royal Ulster Winter Fair took place on Thursday 8 December at Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park, Lisburn, Co Antrim. Judging the Interbreed Championship class on the day was Pierre Boulet of Canada. \ Houston Green

Lindsay Fleming of Seaforde, Co Down, after wining the overall interbreed champion at the RUAS Winter Fair with judge Pierre Boulet. \ Houston Green

Rebecca Bratney of Newtownards, Co Down, with her Ayrshire which came first in the second lactation class. \ Houston Green

This week's My Farming Week: Andrew McMenamin, Castlefinn, Co Donegal

Andrew McMenamin works on his family’s farm where he runs a dairy calf-to-beef system. \ Clive Wasson

Andrew was recently named the National Rural Network Biodiversity Farmer of the Year. \ Clive Wasson

Andrew McMenamin. \ Clive Wasson

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This week in photos: cows and ewes