Limerick Macra County A.G.M

Well done to all Macra members who attended the County AGM on Tuesday evening. These people are very excited about the year ahead and want Limerick Macra to be a vibrant, active and quality organisation. The new officers are: County President: Fiachra Liston, County Chairperson: Siobhan Dunne, County Secretary; Pat O Neill, County Treasurer; George Sparling, County Competitions: Annmarie Keyes. I would like to wish the new officers the very best in the future . These jobs are a great way to get involved in Macra, meet people and develop new skills.

The deadline to get your forms in for County officer training is August 20th, the training will consist of a weekend’s activities in Killarney on August 29th to 31st. Club officer training is being held on the weekend of September 13th and club secretaries need to have these forms back to Clare Davenport in national office by September 3rd if you have any queries please contact Clare on 01-426 8910 or cdavenport@macra.ie.

If you are interested in finding out more about Macra, then why not go onto our excellent website, www.macra.ie. There are clubs throughout the County and if you are interested in finding out more, then you need to contact Lisa Cahill now on 086 4085877 or email limerick.macra@macra.ie

Lisa Cahill

FBD 2008 Young Farmer of the Year Awards

Macra na Feirme have announced that former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will chair the final adjudication panel at the FBD 2008 Young Farmer of the Year Awards, which will take place in the Newpark Hotel, Castlecomer Road, Co. Kilkenny on September 2nd. The aim of the event, run by Macra na Feirme in partnership with the IFA, and sponsored by FBD Insurance is to recognise and reward the top young farmers in the country. County rounds of the competition are currently taking place and twenty-nine farmers will make it through to the final where they will be 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 overall winner will be revealed at a special awards ceremony in the Newpark Hotel on September 2nd. The top prize is a specially commissioned sculpture by Irish-based artist Joy Ledin, a travel bursary worth 2,500euro and 1,000euro spending money. Second prize is a travel bursary of 1,000euro plus 500euro spending money, while third prize is a travel bursary of 500euro plus 250euro spending money.

Lisa Cahill

Limerick Show

24 August:  Limerick Macra will have a stand at the Limerick Show, Munster s Largest Agricultural Show. Highlights of the day include Richie Kavanagh

performing at 2pm and cookery demonstrations by chef Frank Moynihan. On Sunday, there will also be a farmer s market and a glamorous best dressed Lady and Gentleman competition.

Lisa Cahill

Aran Islands

The annual Aran Islands trip will take place on the weekend of 22nd to 24th of August 2008. The cost is 70Euro and includes Bus and Ferry from Galway and 2 nights hostel accommodation.  If interested please contact Tom Quirke on 087 2449361 ASAP for further details as only a few places left.

Lisa Cahill

Wedding Bliss

Congratulations to Maurice Hennessy and Marie Cahill who wed this Friday in Croom. Maurice from Knocklong,is the current president of Ballylanders Macra and Marie, a native of Croom, is the enthusiastic secretary of the club. Both their club and county Macra organisationswould like to wish this couple good weather and fortunes on the big day and a very happy, and successful future together.

Lisa Cahill