The reintroduction of Level 5 COVID-19 restrictions mean that all mart bidding can only operate online. Even so, many marts have postponed sales due to concerns over the spread of the virus.

Kanturk mart has become the latest to postpone a sale, with its Wednesday 6 January sale now on hold.

“With all the uncertainty and rise in cases we decided we wouldn’t go ahead so we’ve postponed our first sale of the year,” Kanturk mart manager Seamus O’Keefe said.

List of mart reopening dates and upcoming sales

Aurivo Marts

  • Balla Mart in Co Mayo will now reopen for its cattle sale on Saturday 16 January.
  • Ballymote Mart, sheep sale Tuesday 19 January and cattle sale on Friday 22 January.
  • Ballinrobe Mart, sheep sale Thursday 21 January and cattle sale Wednesday 20 January.
  • Mohill Mart's next cattle sale will take place on 23 January.

    • Sales will continue on a weekly basis after these dates.

    An Aurivo spokesperson said: "In light of the rising COVID-19 numbers and in the interest of the health and safety of our customers and staff, Aurivo Marts has decided to defer the reopening of its marts for one week from the previously scheduled dates."

    Cork Marts

  • All six Cork Marts centres in Bandon, Cahir, Dungarvan, Fermoy, Macroom and Skibbereen have delayed reopening by a week.

    • Kanturk Mart

  • Mart reopening on Tuesday January 12.

    • Raphoe Mart

  • Delayed reopening by one week.

    • Headford Mart

  • Sales postponed to Saturday 16 January.

    • Roscommon Co-operative Livestock Mart

  • Sheep sale 13 January.
  • Cattle sale 15 January.

    • Castlerea Co-Operative Livestock Mart

  • First sale 14 January.

    • Roscrea mart

  • Heifer sale Friday 8 January.
  • Cattle sale Saturday 9 January.

    • Maam Cross mart

  • Cattle sale Saturday 16 January.

    • ICOS has reminded farmers that while they can book time to view stock in lairage areas before sale, all marts are operating a “drop and go system” and that compulsory mask wearing and social distancing is in place in all marts.

    Additional reporting by Tommy Moyles.

    Read more

    Marts latest: Castlerea and Aurivo postpone sales

    Level 5: marts operating ‘drop and go’ service