Summer 2010 - Macra na Feirme

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0102 REMMUS 01 EMULOV 2 EUSSI
ENIZAGAM ARCAM
Patrick is Mr
Personality
LEADERSHIPAWARD
WINNERS
BoI National Leadership Award winners
PAGE 6
ö pages
18 & 19
AGRICULTURE | COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT | PERFORMING ARTS | PUBLIC SPEAKING | SPORTS | TRAVEL
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Annual meeting . . . . . . . .4
Leadership awards . . . . . .6
Agriculture News . . . . . . .8
Competiton news. . . . . . 12
Rural Youth Initiative . . .16
Festivals . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Macra news . . . . . . . . . . .20
Talent competition. . . . .22
Summer fun . . . . . . . . . .23
Picture this. . . . . . . . . . . .24
Health & Wellbeing . . . .26
Macra in pictures . . . . . .28
M is published three
times a year and is a joint
venture between Macra
na Feirme and the
Agricultural Trust,
publishers of the Irish
Farmers Journal and The
Irish Field.
Editor:
MargueriteTierney
Chief sub-editor:
Leslie Horgan
Sub-editors:
Regina Horan
Niamh O'Doherty
Design:
Garrett Allen
Imaging:
Sean O'Flaherty
Advertising:
Fiona Brien
01-4199557/087-7726164
[email protected]
Printing:
Johnswood Press
[email protected]
The publishers accept no
responsibility for the
veracity of claims made by
contributors and
advertisers. In addition,
whilst every care is taken
to ensure accuracy of
information contained in
Macra Magazine, we do
not accept responsibility
for any errors or matters
arising from same.
W
elcome to the summer edition of the Macra
Magazine. The peak of the competitions period
is now just behind us and well done to you all for
taking part. I hope you and your clubs enjoyed
the competitions you entered and that you plan to take part in
even more competitions in the coming year.
Although the summer is traditionally a quiet time in Macra,
more and more clubs and counties are organising events and
festivals to keep all Macra members' social diaries full. I hope
you all will make the most of the long evenings and good
weather.
Our Know Your Neighbour initiative, sponsored by ESB
Customer Supply, takes place from 24 to 25 July. I encourage all
clubs to get involved by organising community events in their
neighbourhoods.
We also have numerous agricultural competitions running
during the summer months, such as the IDB dairy stockjudging and the FBD Farmskills, along with the Forage
Systems silage competition and the FBD Young Farmer of the
Year competition. I hope you will enter as many of these
competitions as you can.
We have just had another successful AGM in Roscommon
and the council have made many worthwhile improvements to
enrich your Macra experience.
I would like to thank Roscommon Macra, for ensuring the
event was well run, and their sponsors, Kepak, for the support
they have shown to Roscommon Macra this past year.
As the only organisation run for young people by young
people, Macra has a huge role to play as a training ground for
future leaders. That is why it is important that our clubs and
counties continue to run well structured clubs. Therefore, I
would urge as many of you as possible to attend, club and
county officer training this August and September.
Finally, I would like to thank you all for your participation in
Macra activities over the past year. Active clubs and counties
are our greatest asset and best selling point.
I would encourage you all to introduce Macra to people
within your community, workplace or college, as new members
bring new ideas and vitality to our organisation.
I hope you all have a great summer and enjoy your Macra
membership to the fullest.
Ð Michael Gowing,
National President
# Macra na Feirme
Summer 2010 |
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NationalCouncilandExecutive
take up roles at Macra AGM
M
acra na Feirme's national
AGM took place this year
in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon, and the event
was kindly sponsored by Kepak.
Dara Kavanagh from Wicklow has
been re-elected national chairman, with
Catherine McCollum from Cavan and
Kieran O'Dowd from Sligo taking up the
respective roles of national secretary
and national treasurer for a second
term.
They are joined by 14 new national
council representatives and 17 existing
representatives.
Two new executive members, Flor
O'Gorman from Imokilly and James
Healy from Muskerry, have also been
elected.
Speaking at the event, National President Michael Gowing welcomed all the
new NCR and wished them a great term
representing their counties.
He also thanked Kepak for their
sponsorship of the event and congratulated the organising committee in Roscommon Macra for successfully coordinating the day's proceedings.
The organising committee from Roscommon who organised the 66th Macra na Feirme
AGM. Back row (from left):Thomas Beads, Sean Doorley, Rosocmmon PRO, John Kenny,
NorthWest vice president, and EndaWard. Front row (from left) Thomas McGrath, Margaret Kelly, Michael Gowing, Macra president, Sean Finan, Roscommon NCR and Francis
Bligh, Roscommon chairman.
The Macra na Feirme National Executive took up their roles at the recent AGM. Back row:Tommy Dolan, Leinster vice president; Flor
O'Gorman; John Kenny, NorthWest vice president; Edmond Connolly, CEO. Middle row: Tommy Moyles, Gail Shannon, James Healy and
Patricia McKenna. Front row: Catherine McCollum, national secretary, Michael Gowing, national president and Dara Kavanagh, national
chairman. Missing from picture are Michael Manley, Munster vice president and Kieran O'Dowd, national treasurer.
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Summer 2010
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NATIONAL COUNCIL 2010/2012
PRESIDENT:
*Michael Gowing, Hillview, Kilminchy, Portlaoise, Co Laois
087-2826980
LEINSTER:
*Thomas Dolan, Seskin,Tinahely, Arklow, Co Wicklow
086-6006952
MUNSTER:
*Michael Manley, Ballinaclough, Carrig na bhFear, Co Cork
086-3962100
NORTH-WEST:
*John Kenny, 40 Glenview, Galway Road, Roscommon
085-7222752
EX-PRESIDENT:
Catherine Buckley, Knocknagown, Rylane, Co Cork
086-8252539
ASSOCIATE MEMBER REP:
VACANT
CARLOW:
Eric Driver, Crone Farm, Shilleleigh, Co Wicklow
087-2776282
CAVAN:
*Catherine McCollum, Corranure, Cavan, Co Cavan
086-1973479
CLARE:
Michael Carey, Clonboy, O'Briensbridge, Co Clare
087-6951196
AVONDHU:
Gerard Griffin, Barnahown, Araglen, Co Cork
087-6534567
CARBERY:
*Tommy Moyles, Ardfield, Clonakilty, Co Cork
087-2493680
IMOKILLY:
*Flor O'Gorman, Kilbeg,Tallow, Co Waterford
086-8535956
MUSKERRY:
*James Healy, Kilmartin, Donoughmore, Co Cork
086-3023969
SEANDUN:
Josephine O'Connell, Lotamore Farm, Glanmire, Co Cork
087-6618322
DONEGAL:
Hilary Browne, 262 St Eunan'sTce., Raphoe, Co Donegal
086-3009739
DUBLIN:
Siobhan Kelleher, 11 Ashworth Place, Harold's Cross, Dublin 6
086-4096746
GALWAY:
Mona O'Donoghue-Concannon, Montigh, Claregalway, Co Galway.
087-9507681
KERRY:
Caroline McCarron, 11 Hollow Close, Oakview Village,Tralee, Co Kerry
087-7764154
KILDARE:
Eve Armstrong, Fingerpost Bridge, Oughterard, Straffan, Co Kildare
086-3935581
KILKENNY:
William Holohan, Knocktopher, Co Kilkenny
086-8359047
LAOIS:
Kieran McEvoy, Coolaghy, Portarlington, Co Laois
086-6036352
LEITRIM:
Ray Gilmartin, Corlough, Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim
087-8325519
LIMERICK:
Siobhan Dunne, Middle Graigue, Kildorrery, Co Cork
086-8667032
LONGFORD:
Marie Dennigan, Clooneena, Longford, Co Longford
087-6766798
LOUTH:
Shane Roche, Begrath,Tullyallen, Drogheda, Co Louth
087-7913190
MAYO:
Sean Coughlan, Lahardane, Ballina, Co Mayo
087-2028962
MEATH:
*Patricia McKenna, The Elms Walterstown Carlanstown Kells, Co Meath
086-0849265
MONAGHAN:
Paul McDonald,Tullyard, Emyvale, Co Monaghan
085-7433417
OFFALY:
Ronan Feighery, Shannon Harbour, Birr, Co Offaly
087-7535082
ROSCOMMON:
Sean Finan, Foxborough, Ballinlough, Castlerea Co Roscommon
087-4146480
SLIGO:
*Kieran O'Dowd, Gurteen Ballymote, Co Sligo
087-2065010
TIPPERARY NTH:
John Joyce, Carrigahorig, Lorrha, Nenagh, CoTipperary
087-6567947
TIPPERARY STH:
Mary Lyng, Ballymore, Gooldscross, Cashel, CoTipperary
087-7861016
WATERFORD:
Aoife Connors, Ballingowan, Leamybrien, Co Waterford
087-6998378
WESTMEATH:
Michael Halpin, Slieveboy, Castlepollard, Co Westmeath
086-8546798
WEXFORD:
*Gail Shannon, Croneyhorn, Carnew, Co Wicklow
087-7538589
WICKLOW:
*Dara Kavanagh, Scarnagh, Inch, Gorey, Co Wexford
087-9049059
IFA REPRESENTATIVE:
Henry Burns,C/O IFA Irish Farm Centre Bluebell D 12
01-4500266
VICE-PRESIDENT:
CORK:
*Names in italics denote National Executive
Summer 2010 |
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Bank of Ireland/Macra na Feirme
Leadership awards
T
he three winners of this year's
Macra na Feirme National Leadership Awards, sponsored by
Bank of Ireland, were announced at a special reception in Bank of
Ireland's Business Banking offices,
Dublin, in January.
This year's winners are:
* Sean Finan, Castlerea club,
Roscommon
* Margaret Galvin, Crookstown
Macra club, Muskerry
* Alan Jagoe, Carrigaline Macra club,
Seandun.
The six finalists were judged by a
panel including Margaret Nolan from
sponsors Bank of Ireland Business
Banking, Sean Campbell, CEO of For-
oÂige, and Sean Eustace, Macra National
President (1975-1977). Guest speaker
Liam Sheedy, manager of the Tipperary
hurling team, addressed members on
leadership in today's society.
Sean Finan, Castlerea
club, Roscommon
Sean Finan from Ballinlough, Co Roscommon, is a site engineer. He holds a
certificate in agriculture and a BE (Civil)
from NUI Galway. Currently, he is
completing a diploma in financial management.
Sean was the 2009 Roscommon Young
Farmer of the Year and has represented
Castlerea Macra in competitions in
regional and national finals. He won
The runners up, with Margaret Nolan, Bank of Ireland (from left): Eric Driver,Tullow club,Carlow, Dave
Mulcahy, Glenville Macra club, Seandun, and JulianneWalshe,Durrow/Abbeyleix club,Laois.
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Summer 2010
Gold Leadership Awards in 2008 and
2009.
Margaret Galvin, Crookstown
Macra club, Muskerry
Margaret Galvin from the Muskerry
region in Co Cork has a degree in
business information systems and currently works as a talent manager with
Expect Talent, based in Cork.
She joined Macra in 2001 and has
been a regional officer for the past eight
years. Margaret is Muskerry chairperson and was Cork Co Secretary from
2007-09. She has represented Muskerry
in Miss Macra and the National Talent
Competition.
Alan Jagoe, Carrigaline
Macra club, Seandun
Alan Jagoe is a dairy, beef and tillage
farmer. He is currently Seandun chairperson and Carrigaline club president.
He has held many positions at both club
and county level, including secretary and
chair of club and treasurer and vicechair of the region. The highlights of his
Macra career to date include all-Ireland
debating winners 2008 and Club of the
Year success in 2006 and 2007. He is
secretary of his local 3C group.
The three winners were presented
with specially commissioned commemorative trophies and travel bursaries
worth e2,000 each.
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FBDYOUNG FARMER
OF THE YEAR
UPFOR
GRABS!
The search is on to find the 2010 FBD
Young Farmer of theYear.The competition' was launched in April by Macra na
Feirme, IFA and sponsors, FBD.
Its aim is to recognise and reward the
top young farmers in the country. Entrants are judged according to a number
of criteria, including farm business initiative and innovation, levels of farm efficiency and enterprise quality, farm safety
and environmental protection awareness,
as well as agricultural knowledge and
community involvement.
The total prize fund for the 2010 FBD
Young Farmer of theYear competition is
E10,000; prizes will be awarded to first,
second and third place.
The county and regional winners will
be profiled on the Macra page of the Irish
Farmers Journal over the summer, with
the finals taking place in Waterford on
Monday and Tuesday, 30 and 31 August.
RIGHT: At the launch of the 2010 FBD
Young Farmer of theYear competition
were (from left):William Keane,Waterford, the 2009 FBDYoung Farmer of the
Year, BronaghTwomey, group marketing
manager with sponsors, FBD,Eddie
Downey, deputy president, IFA, and Michael Gowing,Macra National President.
Macra's policyonCAPpresentedtoCEJA
n April, a Macra delegation presented its policy for the reform of
the CAP to CEJA, the European
Council of Young Farmers.
Macra's policy received broad support from its fellow members of CEJA. In
particular, there was consensus that a
new CAP must be targeted at active
farmers and that it must also encourage
and facilitate young farmers. The proposal for a Single Farm Payment, based
upon a rolling reference year, whereby
active farmers would be paid related to
their level of activity, was received with
much interest. Furthermore, Macra reiterated its call for a higher rate of SFP
to be paid to the more intensive farmers,
as they incur greater costs of compli-
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Summer 2010
ance with environmental and welfare
standards compared with less intensive
farmers.
Macra also stated that it was opposed
to a flat rate SFP payment and this point
was debated at length. It was also clear
from the meeting that European young
farmers strongly favour the inclusion of
measures to address the issue of severe
price volatility at farm level.
There was general support for the
French and Danish proposals to fund a
body to promote agriculture and the
public goods it delivers to European
consumers. Furthermore, this body
could gather and present information on
food production costs and consumption
patterns to consumers.
This CEJA working group will formulate a proposal for the European
Commission and parliament over the
coming months and Macra will actively
participate in this process.
Paolo de Castro, chairman of the
committee on agriculture, addressed the
CEJA general assembly and emphasised
the need for a continuing common policy
on agriculture. He said that the CAP
budget represented only 0.9% of public
spending within the EU and that it
serves all EU citizens well, not just
farmers. He said the European Parliament was in favour of funding the
provision of public goods by farmers,
ensuring the supply of quality food and
maintaining food security.
27/5/1015:50
Keep your tax bill
to a minimum
I ö INFORMED
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F ö FARMER FOCUSED
Ability to communicate in a language
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A ö AFFORDABLE
Compare our service and price with
that of your current agent
C ö CONFIDENCE
Confidence in the knowledge that
you have paid the minimum amount
of tax through proper planning.
IFAC Accountants have the proven
ability to ensure that your affairs are
looked after in a manner that will
ensure that the tax you pay will be the
minimum payable. A thorough annual
review will ensure that all:
* Expenses are claimed
* Allowances are claimed
* Tax credits are claimed
* Pensions are maximised
* Other alternatives are explored.
Visit IFAC Accountants through
the link on the Macra homepage, at
www.IFAC.ie or phone or drop in to a
branch office near you.
IDB dairy
stockjudging
competition
The Irish Dairy Board dairy stockjudging senior and under-23 competition will take place on 24 June at the
IHFA Open Day on the farm of
Michael and Tom Buckley, Ballinahina, Co Cork. For further information,
contact Terry Cooke at Macra national office, Tel: 01-4268913.
RIGHT: at the launch were Margaret
Moran, from sponsors, IDB, Enda
Hooks,Mayo Macra, and Michael
Gowing Macra National President.
Summer 2010 |
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FORAGE
SYSTEMS SILAGE
COMPETITION
WIN
AN
iPAD!
Can you make good grass silage?
The prize up for grabs in this year's
Forage Systems silage competition
is a hi-tech package, including the
revolutionary iPAD along with the
latest agri applications.
The closing date for receipt of
entries is 6 August. Forms can be
downloaded from www.macra.ie
RIGHT: Launching the KnowYour
Grass Silage Quality Competition
were (from left):Fionnuala
Malone, national sales manager,
Forage Systems, last year's
winner Brian Reidy from Sligo,
aboard his prize, an ATV quad, and
Michael Gowing, Macra National
President.
3C groups to expand
M
acra na Feirme and Teagasc are aiming to expand
their 3C young farmer
discussion groups from
dairying and develop the initiative further
by entering into beef, sheep and tillage
groups, with the support of the FBD
Trust.
Each 3C group consists of young
farmers who meet regularly throughout
the year and are facilitated by a specialist
Teagasc adviser.
The title 3C highlights the fact that
groups are committed young farmers
who are interested in contributing in a
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Summer 2010
group and who are willing to respect
the confidentiality of information disclosed at meetings
`If you are interested in joining a
Macra/Teagasc 3C discussion group, text
3C, with your name and address, to 51444.
RIGHT: At the launch of the expansion of
the Macra na Feirme and Teagasc 3C
young farmer discussion groups were
John Donworth,Teagasc Moorepark,Michael Gowing,Macra National President,
Fintan Phelan,Teagasc Portlaoise and Paul
Cuddy, area manager,FBD Portlaoise
27/5/1015:51
@
For any further agriculture
information, contact Derry
Dillon, Macra's Agricultural
Affairs & Rural Development
Manager, on 01-4268904
or [email protected]
Young Farmer
Scholarships
Macra are delighted to be in a position to
make available a number of scholarship
opportunities, worth e12,000, to young
farmers.
The Stephen Cullinan Scholarship offers
the opportunity to travel and work on a
dairy farm in New Zealand. Funded by the
Agricultural Trust and the Irish Farmers
Journal, this scholarship enables young
farmers to gain experience of alternative
methods of dairy farming while working
for six months in New Zealand.
RDS Macra na FeirmeYoung Farmer
Scholarships 2010 ö To acknowledge the
importance of the sheep industry in Ireland, the RDS has teamed up with Macra na
Feirme and the Irish Farmers Journal to
provide a travel and educational scholarship.
The winner of the scholarship will be
expected to undertake self-organised international travel to learn about sheep
farming and to gain knowledge that will
subsequently benefit the individual in Ireland.
North Kildare Sheep Producers Group ö
IFA are offering a travel and educational
scholarship to New Zealand. This scholarship also will be awarded under the aegis of
the RDS and is part-funded by FBD Insurance.
NORTH WEST TRIP TO BRUSSELS
Members of NorthWest Macra na Feirme onarecent trip to Brussels (fromleft):
Raymond Gilmartin,Leitrim,Sean Kelly MEP,Colm Stenson,Leitrim,Marian
Harkin,MEP,Padraig Ög Mulligan,Sligo,Mairead McGuinness MEP,Edward Duffy,
Cavan,Francis Bligh,Roscommon and Patrick McDonagh,Sligo.
Summer 2010 |
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PUBLIC SPEAKING & DEBATING
MAINPICTURE:Clonakilty Macra,Carbery,Co Cork,Debating
Champions.
LEFT:Athboy,Co Meath,All-Ireland Public Speakingwinners.
BELOW:Innishannon MacrafromCarbery,Impromptu
DebatingWinners.
RIGHT:Impromptu Public SpeakingWinnerTheresa Murphy,Ardrahan,Co Galway, with Macra National President Michael Gowing.
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DRAMA WINNERS
TOP: Best Actress in the Amateur Drama Competition, Lyndsey Roddy,Tarmonbarry.
ABOVE, CENTRE: Members of the winning FBD Capers Competition, Athboy.
ABOVE: Amateur Drama winners, Kilcloon Macra from Meath, who also won the Best
Actor, Adjucator's Award and Best Producer.
Summer 2010 |
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SPORTS WINNERS
KERRYGOLD CLUB QUESTION TIME
ABOVE: Monasterevin Co. Kildare winners of the Kerrygold Club
QuestionTime Competition.
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Summer 2010
TOP, LEFT: Ladies NDC soccer winners, Midway, Sligo.
TOP, RIGHT: Men's NDC Basketball winners, MoyloughTeam.
CENTRE, LEFT: Men's NDC soccer winners, Camross, Laois.
CENTRE, RIGHT: Terelton Muskerry NDC volleyball winners.
ABOVE: Ladies NDC Basketball winners, South Sligo.
27/5/1015:53
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27/5/1015:53
On the steps inside the main hall of Stormount were John McCallister,UUP,Michael Stephens,Thoburn McCaughey,President of YFCU,
John Kenny, Joe Hawkins,CEOYFCU,Eve Armstrong,Noel Duffy,Michelle Gildernew,NI Minister for Agriculture,Gail Shannon,Tommy
Moyles,Bryan Daniels,Stephen Bollard,Eoin McGrath and Pat O Neill.
Macra trip to Belfast Five
A
group of 10 Macra members
travelled to Belfast on 14 and
15 March last. A brief meeting
took place between the group
and a delegation from the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) to explore
the possibilities of developing a stronger
link through the use of exchanges between the two organisations.
On Monday, the 15th, the group,
accompanied by YFCU president Thoburn McCaughey and CEO Joe Hawkins,
took a bus tour through Belfast.
Historical areas
They were shown the historical side of
Belfast, including the Europa Hotel (the
most bombed hotel in the world) and
various historical areas of recent times,
including the murals from both sides
during the Troubles; the cathedral quarter, with Belfast's answer to the leaning
tower of Pisa, the Albert Clock, St Anne's
Cathedral, Queens University and the
Crown Bar, and Northern Ireland's
smallest house.
The Titanic quarter included the
Odyssey arena, the Harland & Wolfe
shipyards and the dry dock in which the
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Summer 2010
Titanic was built. From there they took a
trip to Stormont, passing through East
Belfast, birthplace of George Best, Van
Morrison and CS Lewis, author of the
Chronicles of Narnia.
They received a guided tour of Stormont parliament buildings, courtesy of
John McCallister MLA, well-known
journalist Eamon Mallie and Jim Nicholson MEP.
They also met with Northern Ireland's Agriculture Minister Michelle
Gildernew MP MLA. They had another
brief meeting with the chair of the
assembly's Agriculture Committee, Ian
Paisley junior MLA, and were joined for
dinner by the vice-chair, Tom Elliot MLA.
Following dinner in the members'
restaurant they went to the viewing
gallery of the assembly chamber for
members' questions. The tour ended in
Belfast City Hall.
The Macra members who travelled to
Belfast wish to extend a big thank you to
all the YFCU crew who met up with
them, and especially to John McCallister
for giving his time in Stormont and for
organising the meetings with various
politicians there.
nations
meeting
A meeting of the five nations of young
farmer organisations was hosted by
WYFC (WalesYoung Farmers) on
Monday 8 March in Cardiff
It was opportune for Macra to meet
the other members of the five nations
of young farmers'clubs. Issues discussed included an update on key organisational activities, such as
membership, programmes, staffing,
funding, travel and exchanges, along
with safeguarding for all the five nations of young farmer organisations.
Each nation gave a report of what was
happening in their own organisation.
The next meeting will be hosted by the
Scottish Association ofYoung Farmers
Clubs in November.
ö John Kenny, North
West Vice-President
27/5/1015:53
England and
WalesYoung
Farmers AGM
JulieanneWalsh and Dave Mulcahy
recently travelled to the England
and WalesYoung Farmers AGM.
Here's Julieanne's account of the trip
O
n arrival we were introduced to the Northern
Ireland and Scottish delegates, who were also
attending the weekend's events. We decided (the
three Nations Ð Scotland, Northern Ireland and
Ireland) to go for a tour of the seaside town of Torquay.
Macra members and gold leadership award winners 2009,Dave
Mulcahy,Cork, and JulieanneWalsh from Laois, who travelled to
the EnglishYoung Farmers AGM inTorquay in April, with Roberta
Simmons from the UlsterYoung Farmers.
Saturday was a fancy dress night, with a safari theme. The
English and Welsh young farmers pulled out all the stops with
Part of the AGM focused on this policy, informing club leaders
hippo and elephant costumes, to name but a few. They even
of the most recent changes.
had men and women in pink tights dressed as flamingos
dancing the night away!
The three visiting nations were invited into lunch with the
newly appointed committee and sponsors. Sunday afternoon
The AGM on Sunday gave delegates the opportunity to see
for the young farmers involved two national finals, the pub
how the organisation was run and managed. It gave us a
quiz or the national drama finals. We were invited to take part
chance to see what the English and Welsh did differently to
in the pub quiz, and managed to place third, much to our
us in Macra.
surprise!
The YFU in England and Wales has a broad membership
On Sunday night the theme was club jersey or T-shirt.
base, stretching from 10 to 12-year-olds to 26 to 30-year-olds
Clubs from all over the country had printed T-shirts and the
Ð much different to Macra. As a result of such a young
slogans were very imaginative.
membership, the organisation has a very strict Child
Protection Policy, which is required under European Law.
YFCU AGM
Dave and I had a great weekend and were delighted to
represent Macra na Feirme.
On16 April, Catherine
McCollum of Cavan and
Tommy Moyles of Carbery
travelled to Armagh for
the AGM of theYoung
Farmers' Clubs of Ulster.
Here is their account of
their trip
F
irst thing upon arrival in the
Armagh City Hotel on Friday
evening was the presidential
dinner. This was attended by
the YFCU's executive and other delegates from the sister organisations.
Unfortunately, the Welsh Young Farm-
At theYFCUAGM (from left): Allan Grant,ScottishYoung Farmers,Tommy Moyles, chairman,Macra RYI committee, Adam Lawson,ScottishYoung Farmers, Catherine McCollum, Macra National Secretary,Thoburn McCaughey, president YFCU, Helen Roberts,
NFYFC, and MartynWilliams,NFYFC.
ers were unable to attend due to the
volcanic ash flight ban.
workshops was organised for all dele-
burn McCaughey and his vice-presi-
gates. These ranged from an interactive
dents through a fun questionnaire. The
with representatives from the agri and
talk from the Northern Ireland Health
AGM was very efficiently run and,
rural affairs chairs in the YFCU.
and Safety Executive and demonstra-
during the course of the meeting, a
tions from St John's Ambulance, to a
member from each of the sister orga-
juggling workshop!
nisations gave an address.
We used this time to exchange ideas
After dinner, Armagh the host
county, organised a themed disco of
`Farmers and their animals', and some
This was followed by the AGM.
The meeting ended with a presen-
of the costumes were extremely crea-
Before the serious business of the
tation of trophies to the previous year's
tive. On Saturday morning a series of
meeting, Rebecca McDonnell put Tho-
competition winners.
Summer 2010 |
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27/5/1015:55
North
West
King and
Queen
D
onal McCabe from Longford
Town Macra Club and Josephine McManus from South
Leitrim Macra club (pictured) were crowned the North West
Macra King and Queen 2010. The event
took place in Co Leitrim in January.
MC on the night was Willie Hegarty
from Shannonside Radio. Kings and
Queens representing the nine counties
in the north west competed for the
perpetual title. They completed tasks
including a questions and answers session; making and modelling an outfit with
limited materials, and other novel events
where team skills and communication
were vital.
The North West executive committee
fundraising draw also took place at the
event, and the committee would like to
thank prize sponsors Shannon Key West
Hotel, Rooskey; FBD Insurance; Rally
School of Ireland; Sheridan Electrics,
Castlebar, and the Clonmel Park Hotel.
The North West Annual Dodge Ball
tournament took place on Sunday in the
nearby Kilglass Hall, and was won by
Caltra Macra Club, Galway.
I'M A CELEBRITY!
Kildare MacraTraining Officer JacqWalsh
at the annual I'm ACelebrity fancy dress
Hollywood theme night in February, hosted
by Kildare Macra.
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Summer 2010
27/5/1015:54
At the fifth Mr Personality Festival, kindly supported by Kilkenny Carlow and District
Farm Relief Services, were (from left): Denis Kelly, runner-up,SouthTipperary, Michael
Dempsey, chairman,Kilkenny, Carlow and District FRS, Patrick Sullivan, Mr Personality
2010 from Louth and Richard Kennedy, third place.
Macra's gotPersonality!
T
he Mr Personality festival this
year had the greatest number
of contestants with 29 representatives from all over Ireland. The festival, sponsored by
Kilkenny Carlow and District Farm
Relief Services, took place on 16 and 17
April in the Springhill Court Hotel,
Kilkenny.
The 29 contestants were put through
their paces by three judges: Seamus
Phelan, former Macra President, Clara
Walshe from Midlands FM and Sinead
O'Sullivan, former Kilkenny County
Chairperson. The result was announced
at 12 midnight on Saturday, with Patrick
Sullivan from Louth becoming the fifth
Mr Personality. The winner is a 19-yearold student from the Tullyallen club.
In second place was Denis Kelly
from South Tipperary and third was
Richard Kennedy, Laois. Patrick was
presented with a e500 cheque, a perpetual trophy and a midweek break in any
of the Brennan Hotels.
Denis Kelly received a trophy and a
cheque for e300 and Richard Kennedy
received a trophy and e200.
BeaSuperstar2010
The Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan, was the
venue for the third annual Be A Superstar night hosted by Monaghan Macra
on 15 May. Once again they were entertained by `superstars' from all over the
globe.`Elvis'opened the show and the
superstars got bigger as the night went
on.
They had a wonderful AC/DC tribute
from James O'Reilly, while Amy Whinehouse and the Blue Jean Queens impressed all.Tullyallen Macra got the
crowd on their feet as they took on the
Black Eyed Peas. Thankfully,Will.i.am
got Cheryl home safely and arrived midsong to assist his band mates. Unfortunately, this didn't impress our judges
and `Simon' was ever so harsh!
Sarah McNearney stole the show
with her rendition of Mustang Sally
from the Commitments. No one can argue that she deserved first place.
MGRB took to the stage after the
show. Thanks to all who supported the
festival. Further information on the upcoming festival at www.macra.ie
Sarah McNearney recieves the
winner's trophy from Brenda
McQuillan, Monaghan chairman.
Summer 2010 |
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19
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27/5/1015:55
60 seconds with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Henry Burns
Describe yourself in four words
Four words isn't enough
What's your favourite pastime?
Politics/current affairs
Favourite holiday spot?
France
Best piece of advice you've ever received?
Take lots of advice and then make up your own mind
Who is your hero?
Bruce Springsteen ö to be around in the music business for as
long as he has, and to be able to create new music and put onthe
super live shows that he does, is amazing.
Your high point in Macra?
Meeting my wife, Claire.
Has Macra changed since you were a member?
Of course it has! Macra is such an organic organisation that it is
always changing.That's a good thing, but I'm glad some things
have stayed the same, especially the speaking competitions.
Tell us about your achievements in IFA
They're really not my achievements. I was chairman of the national sheep committee and over the past four years we worked
hard so that as many of the 30,000 sheep farmers as possible out
there could have a future. It has givenus great satisfactionto see
the sheep grassland payment coming through, as well as the
new sheep breed improvement programme.We also feel we
have made substantial inroads with retailers on not using imported lamb (not produced to EU standards) to undermine the
price of Irish lamb. Most of all, we have raised the profile of
sheep farming in Ireland and increased awareness of its importance.
Where do you see farming in 20 years time?
If we have a well-funded CAP beyond 2013 and food imports
meet EU standards, we can look forward to the maintenance of
the family farm structure, which is the most sustainable and
efficient means of food production.
Henry Burns is the newly appointed Irish Farmers'
Association representative on Macra's National Council
Countyandclubofficer training
County OfficerTraining
This year's county officer training takes
place on Saturday and Sunday, 4 and 5
September in the splendid Johnstown
House Hotel near Enfield, on the Meath/
Kildare border.
This is an excellent venue used by
many of Ireland's top sporting teams for
their domestic training camps. It combines self-catering accommodation with 5
Star hotel facilities.
Training will comprise a mixture of
workshops and interaction of officers,
and promises to be both stimulating and
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Summer 2010
entertaining. The Bank of Ireland Leadership Distinction Awards will be presented at the banquet on Saturday
evening, while next year's competition
will be launched by Margaret Nolan from
Bank of Ireland Business Banking.
The cost to county officers will be e130,
with a rebate of e30 on completion.
Club officer training
Club officer training will be in the Auburn
Lodge Hotel, Ennis, Co Clare, on Sat and
Sunday, 25 and 26 September, with
accommodation provided for Friday 24
September. This is a wonderful opportunity for new and experienced club
officers to brush up on their skills and
meet and make new friends from all over
the country.
The training programme will equip and
upskill officers for their roles and give
members an insight into the depth and
breadth of activities and programmes
available from Macra.
The cost will be e110, with a e25
rebate on completion. Application
forms will be made available during
the summer months.
27/5/1015:56
Rock the flock!
W
Macra National Conference/RALLY 2010
icklow have the honour of
innovative farms or rural enterprise,
tours and entry into all the entertain-
hosting this year's Macra
that is guaranteed to spark discussion,
ment for the whole weekend.
na Feirme National Agri-
you will find it here too. Add to that the
cultural conference or
national finals of the Bord Bia beef and
sold on a first come, first served basis by
Rally. It will take place in the Arklow Bay
sheep stockjudging competition, the
the Macra National Office. Tickets go on
Hotel from 22 to 25 October 2010.
Irish Farmers Journal
sale in early autumn so please keep an
If you have attended a Rally in the
past, you will need no convincing about
the fact that the Rally is the event of the
year within Macra.
If you're new to Macra, and socialising is important to you, how does
three nights of live music, followed by
DJs, sound to you?
And if you want the opportunity to see
Know Your Ag
quiz, the AIB Club of the Year
competition, the AIB Best New Macra
Member contest and the NDC sevenaside Gaelic football tournament, and
you have a mere flavour of what it's
all about.
The best way to attend the event is as
a delegate. As a delegate, you get your
accommodation, all your meals, the
Delegate places are limited and are
eye on the macra.ie website and weekly
e-newsletter for more info.
Wicklow Macra, with their Golden
Ticket Raffle, will provide one lucky
person with a delegate pack for the price
of a raffle ticket. Very good runner-up
prizes are on offer also. Tickets cost
e5
and will be available at most major
Macra events throughout the year.
If you haven't got a ticket yet, keep
Delegate places are limited and are sold on a first come,
first served basis by the Macra National Office.Tickets go
on sale in early autumn so please keep an eye on the
macra.ie website and weekly e-newsletter for more info
your eyes peeled and don't miss out on
this amazing opportunity.
The Wicklow committee are looking
for suggestions to name a ram and a ewe
to promote the Rally. Send your ideas to
[email protected]. The lucky
winner will receive great Rally goodies
for their efforts.
Summer 2010 |
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27/5/1015:56
Macra's gottalent!
The winners of the 26th National Talent Competition with National Talent organisers, Richard and Mary Harrahill, and Michael Gowing,
Macra National President.
History making night at the National Concert
Hall for Macra's 26th NationalTalent Final
T
he 26th National Talent Final
proved to be a night of great
success for the Freemount
branch from Co Cork. They
were in five events and equalled the
achievement of Treble R, Banteer and
Athboy in the past by winning three titles
in a final.
Those successes came in Novelty Act,
with their hilarious HSE sketch; Set
Dancing, in which they danced the
Newport Set, and Pop/Folk Ballad
Group, in which they gave excellent
renditions of `Way Beyond the Blues' and
`Home Away from Home'.
The runners-up in those three events
were Rathdowney, Co Laois, Camross,
Co Laois and Clonoulty/Rossmore, Co
Tipperary, respectively.
Co Longford was represented in the
very first Talent Final in the Gaiety
Theatre in June 1986, courtesy of Granard in the Team Quiz. They were not
successful that night and the county,
despite sporadic final appearances over
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Summer 2010
the years, remained as one of only two
counties without a Talent title Ð Mayo
being the other.
However, that was all put right at the
National Concert Hall when last year's
runners-up in Comedy, the Longford
Town duo of Michael Keogh and James
Lennon, went one step better with their
very funny routine about a visit to an
optician and made the historic breakthrough for their county.
The runners-up were the Berrings
duo of Tim Mullane and Joan Marie
Healy, with an excellent routine featuring SiobhaÂn Boyle!
Longford Town was not the only
branch to make a first appearance on
the Talent winners' rostrum. Ballylanders, Co Limerick and Ramor, Co Cavan
also tasted Talent glory for the first time.
In Solo Instrumental Music, tin whistle player Margaret Carr of Ballylanders
won the title ahead of runner-up Rory
Kennedy of Clodagh, Co Tipperary.
In Solo Singing, Anne Galligan, a
native of Oldcastle, Co Meath, but representing Ramor branch, gave a magnificent rendition of `Caledonia' to win
the title. The runner-up was Clodagh
member, Anne Marie Kavanagh.
Abbeyknockmoy, Co Galway, won
their fourth Disco Dancing title with a
brilliant routine. The runners-up were
Mountmellick, Co Laois.
Kilmallock won their first Talent title
last year when they were successful in
Pop/Folk/Ballad Group. They had another success this year when Pat O'Neill
won the Mastermind title ahead of Claire
Burke of Kilcloon, Co Meath, who was
runner-up for the second successive
year.
All of the winners and runners-up
were presented on stage with engraved
Dublin Crystal trophies by Macra National President Michael Gowing.
A special thanks must go to Richard
and Mary Harrahill who put so much
time and effort into running this wonderful event.
27/5/1015:56
SUMMERFUN!
Blue Jean Country Queen
The 23rd Blue Jean Country Queen Festival
takes place in Athboy, Co Meath, from 4 to
7 June. Ticket prices: Friday, e12; Saturday,
e15; Sunday, e15; banquet, e50. A limited
number of weekend tickets are available.
Events over the weekend include the
Queens' interviews live on stage, tag rugby competition, street carnival, karaoke,
an 80s disco, a lark in the park, fancy dress,
modelling competition and family friendly
music and entertainment. Further information from festival chair, Patricia McKenna, 086-0849265 or secretary,Veronica
Donohoe, 086-2887621. Ticket sales and
enquiries to 087-2154729, or www.bluejeanfest.com
International Miss Macra Festival
Looking for something different this August Bank Holiday weekend? Clonoulty/
Rossmore Macra invites you to make the
trip toTipp for the 39th International Miss
Macra Festival in the Dundrum House Hotel, fromThursday 29 July to Sunday 1 August. Activities for contestants over the
weekend include a ceili, orienteering and a
county jersey day for a sports event and
barbeque on Sunday in Clonoulty GAA
grounds.
Top class entertainment is planned
with a band and a DJ booked for the three
nights. The culmination of the weekend is
the Gala Banquet and the crowning of International Miss Macra 2010, when the
2009 winner, Carbery's Edel Ronan, hands
over the crown on the stroke of midnight
on Sunday.
Visit www.clonoultyrossmoremacra.com for all the latest info. You can also
contact us by email at [email protected] or Mary, 087 7861016, Elaine, 087
6461108, or Grace, 086 8622540.
FBD Farmskills
Three regional semi-finals will be held in
conjunction with the following shows:
* 20 June ö Scurlogstown Haymaking
Festival,Trim, Co Meath
At the launch of the 2010 Blue Jean Country Queen, which will take place in Athboy, Co
Meath, from 4 to 7 June, were (from left): Derek Primrose,Moynalty Macra, MK Murphy,
Louth, Mary O'Connell,Cavan, Celine Smith, Meath, RuthWalsh, Kildare,Yvonne Keoghan, Dublin, and Darren Dowdall,Moynalty Macra.
* 27 June ö Charleville Show, Charleville,
Co Cork
* 25 July ö Rathdowney Show, Rathdowney, Co Laois.
Two teams will qualify from each venue for the national final, which takes
place atTullamore Show on Sunday, 8 August, 2010.
KnowYour Neighbour Weekend
On July 24/25, Macra na Feirme will hold its
annual KnowYour Neighbour weekend,
which is again kindly sponsored by ESB
Customer Supply. Macra have teamed up
withThe Wheel, which is a support and representative body connecting community
and voluntary organisations and charities
across Ireland. Established in 1999,The
Wheel has evolved to become a resource
centre and forum for the community and
voluntary sector. The purpose of this initiative is to open a window of opportu-
nity, over a specific weekend, whereby
people will be inspired to make a small effort to mingle in a neighbourly way with
people living in their environs.There are no
barriers to participation; everyone, regardless of background, age, location or
economic situation should be empowered
during KnowYour Neighbour Weekend to
reach out and get to know their neighbours better.
Macra National President Michael
Gowing encourages all clubs to organise
an event in their community or to team up
with a local Wheel organisation to run a
KnowYour Neighbour event. More information from www.knowyourneighbour.ie. or www.macra.ie
Ferbane/Banagher Macra Barn
Dance and Pillow Fight competition
Ferbane/Banagher Macra Barn Dance
takes place in Clancy's Bar, Cloghan, Co
Offaly, on Saturday 26 June at 9pm. Live
music and BBQ on the night. Admission,
e10. Contact Noel Duffy, 086 0630480, or
Michael Stephens, 087 2036245.
Tag rugby national finals
Seandun Macra will host the Macra tag
rugby national finals at Kinsale RFC on Saturday 17 July. Closing date for entries, 23
June. Contact Michelle, 086 3776490, or
John, 087 9586934
SouthTipperary Raft Race
ROSCOMMON TAG RUGBY DAY SUCCESS
The group who attended the Roscommon Macra tag rugby day at Lough Key Forest Park,Boyle.
SouthTipp's annual raft race takes place in
Golden, CoTipperary, on 3 July at 6.30pm.
BBQ and DJ afterwards. Contact South
Tipperary NCR Mary Lyng, 087 7861016.
Summer 2010 |
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27/5/1015:57
ABOVE:Winning gloss ö Tara Cadden applies some finishing touches to Aisling
Kearney, Athboy, Co Meath, who was one
of the winning team in the All-Ireland Public
Speaking finals in Roscommon.
RIGHT: At the Kilkenny City Black tie ball
were Ann Marie Deegan, Maria Kelly and
Stephanie O'Dywer (Kilkenny Rose 2009)
BELOW:Berrings Macra held a hugely successful variety concert and presented
e2,100 to the Spillett family, who will put
the money to great use while working voluntarily in Haiti during the summer.
BELOW, RIGHT: On stage in Cappoquin
Community Centre at the National Drama
Finals 2010 were Stephen McGuinness and
Carol AnnWilson-Bennett fromTarmonbarry,Co Roscommon, in their club's play `A
Night Out' ö runners up on the night.
24
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Summer 2010
27/5/1015:57
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m
27/5/1015:59
Enjoying Carrigaline Macra's 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance were Macra National President Michael Gowing with organising committee Rosemary O'Leary, Carmel O'Meara, Sinead Collins, Oliver Cronin, Edel Collins, Alan Jagoe, David O'Leary and Julie O'Meara.
Limerick Macra members enjoying the 2010 Saint Patrick's Day parade.
Brian Reidy of Sligo Macra is presented with his Nuffield
scholarship by David Baker, chairman of the Peter Daly
Trust.
Members of Louth Macra at the Macra na Feirme AGM in Roscommon
(from left): Alan Matthews, County Chair, Michael Gowing, National
President, Shane Roche, NCR, and Saul McElwaine.
Daniel Jones, Brian Murphy and Michael Collins from
Dublin's newest Macra club, Dublin Mountains, who won
the Dublin round of the FBD Farmskills competition.
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