Mullooly says national rally "marks a defining moment for future of rural Ireland"
Midlands-North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly has said that the mass mobilisation of farmers and rural communities in Athlone on Saturday last to protest against the EU-Mercosur trade deal represents a defining moment in modern Irish history, drawing direct parallels with the landmark Farmers’ Rights Campaign of the 1960s.
Speaking after nearly 30,000 people gathered in Athlone, Mullooly said the demonstration showed the power of unity and collective action in shaping national policy.
“There are days in Irish history that are defining, an opportunity for people power to bring the issues that really matter in our lives to the forefront of the national Government agenda,” he said.
Mullooly pointed to the historic Farmers’ Rights Campaign, which began in Bantry in 1966 and culminated in a march of 30,000 people on O’Connell Street, as a clear precedent.
“That movement changed the influence of rural Ireland on national policy here forever.
“On January 10 2026, nearly 30,000 people were again behind a banner with the same message, this time in Athlone, as a nation fights again for fair play and a decent livelihood for our farmers, for our children and for our future," the MEP said.
The MEP said the scale and diversity of participation, with people travelling by tractors, cars, lorries, jeeps, bikes and on foot, demonstrated the depth of concern across rural Ireland.
“We must not let it stop here. In the coming weeks our new movement will continue to bring forward strategic actions and policies for change in rural Ireland and it won’t be just talk," Mullooly said.
He stressed that unity across farming organisations was one of the strengths of the Athlone mobilisation.
“Action speaks louder than words as you all proved last Saturday when all of Ireland’s farming groups united and rocked the system.
“We must stay united now and push forward to not only try to stop the rotten EU Mercosur trade agreement, but to put real measures in place to keep farmers of all sizes on the land," he said.
Mullooly warned that the survival of rural Ireland itself is at stake. “This is about keeping our schools, shops, post offices, agribusinesses, villages and towns open for the next generation,” he added.
The MEP confirmed that further concrete steps will be announced imminently following meetings with colleagues across Europe.
“I have a plan to move this movement on. Tonight (Wednesday) I will return to Leinster House after three days of speaking to MEPs from all over Europe to make an announcement about our next steps in this campaign," he added.
Mullooly has invited supporters to join him online to continue building momentum.
“Stand up again with me like you did last Saturday in Athlone and let’s work together to make Saturday January 10 a defining moment in Irish history," Mullooly concluded.