Back in the game at Kilkenny Mart

Kilkenny Mart reopens the auction around the ring after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. \ Philip Doyle

John Butler sits back andf enjoys the ringside tussle between farmers at Kilkenny Mart. \ Philip Doyle

Many marts have resumed sales with a combination of ringside bidding and online bidding. \ Philip Doyle

Birr Mart

Buyers and sellers around the ring at the reopening of the Birr Mart. \ CJ Nash

Buyers and sellers around the ring at the reopening of the Birr Mart. \ CJ Nash

Raphoe Mart

Signage at the Raphoe Livestock Mart's first auction since the lockdown in March. \ Clive Wasson

Patrick Ferry registers with Dainelle Harkin at the Raphoe Livestock Mart's first auction. Signage at the Raphoe Livestock Mart's first auction since the COVID-19 shutdown in March. \ Clive Wasson

Tuam Mart

Tuam Mart opens under phase two of the relaxation of COVID-19 regulations. \ David Ruffles

Triplet Charolais heifer calves in Co Waterford

Kieran Hennebry, Paul, Emily and Louie Fraher with their neighbour Conor Butler, Beary's Cross, Ballinamult, Co Waterford, and the triplet Charolais heifer calves that were born on the farm. Conor runs a suckler herd as well as an agri contracting business and his cows have just started calving. The dam is a third calver and was scanned with twins so Conor got a shock to see the third calf pop out after the first two arrived unassisted on Sunday evening last. \ Donal O'Leary

Conor Butler checks on the triplet Charolais heifer calves that were born on the farm. \ Donal O'Leary

Paul, Emily and Louie Fraher, along with Kieran Hennebry. \ Donal O'Leary

Traditional hay making in Co Kerry

Traditional hay making in Co Kerry on Ger McCathy's farm just outside Tralee. Cousins, 85-year-old Jimmy Trant and 92-year-old Mary McCarthy enjoying the summer weather. Jimmy is the oldest man in the townland of Lissanearla, Abbeydorney, and Mary was born and reared on the farm. \ Mike Parker

Gerry Lenihan demonstrates how they used to save hay the old fashioned way. \ Mike Parker

Centuries-old art of twisting a hay rope making cocks of hay

Kevin Fay teaches his grandson Darragh Freehill the centuries-old art of twisting a hay rope as they make cocks of hay at St Mary's church, Staghall, Co. Cavan. Parishoners Kevin, Darragh, Austin McGurren and Jim Tully turned up at the church to cut the cemetry which had turned into a meadow during the COVID-19 lockdown. \ Lorraine Teevan

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