Welcome to Kilkenny Macra na Feirme
Welcome to Kilkenny Macra na Feirme!
If your a person who whats to enjoy life and have a good time doing so then macra is for you.Kilkenny Macra can be outlined by the following statement:
Macra na Feirme is a voluntary organisation for young people between the ages of 17 and 35. Macra consists of a nationwide networks of clubs with six key areas of activity: agriculture, sport, travel, public speaking, performing arts and community involvement. Macra na Feirme is committed to the personal development of members and puts emphasis on the social interaction and participation.
So if you think macra may have something for you why not contact us and find out for yourself.
County Pool Final
The Pool Competition was held recently in the KBowl was a great success. We had 16 participating from Kilkenny City, Callan, Thomastown, Slievenamon and Fethard. The winner was Brian Kavanagh, from Kilkenny City and the runner-up was Murt Butler, from Callan.
Impromptu Public Speaking
Congratulations to Michael Somers (KK City) won the national title for Imptomptu Public Speaking on the 10th December in Trim, Co. Meath. Michael beat off stiff competition to land the title and Michael picked the topics of Childcare, Farmers Markets and Croke Park on the night to speak about. Well done Michael. Below is Michael Sommers (middle) with sponsor Basil Bayne from Harper Adams University College and National President Alan Jagoe. Michael has now won a place on the Macra Prize-winner’s Trip which will take place next year. Mr. Basil Bayne from Harper Adams University College attended and presented the new trophy for the Impromptu Public Speaking competition, which has been kindly donated by the college.
Queen of the land
A massive congratulations to Bernie Woods, who won the title of Queen of the Land. The Queen of the Land Festival and FBD were proud on the 13th of November to announce Bernie Woods as the Queen of the Land for 2011. Bernie Woods hailing from the Mullinavat club in Co. Kilkenny was overwhelmed when the announcement was made. Bernie paid great tribute to her fellow contestants who had made it “a most memorable weekend ever” and especially thanked the Queen of the Land committee for making and doing everything in their power to make every one of us feel special. Bernie said that one of the highlights of her weekend was the Treasure hunt and she remarked about the clues for the hunt “would have had the locals confused never mind a
few blow-ins”. Speaking about being on stage on Saturday night, she said she was a little nervous but was put very much at ease by the interviewer MC Deric Hartigan. Bernie comes away from Tullamore with the prestigious Queen of the Land title and the tiara that accompanies the title and €1000 and a voucher. Claire Walsh took 1st runner up and Maria Carey took 2nd runner up. Contestants were judged on a range of attributes. The event is primarily a personality
contest with marks also on offer for appearance, dress sense, rural knowledge and elocution. In addition, contestants underwent an interview encompassing a discussion on one of two pre-chosen topics.
Bernie beat off strong competition to win the title! Congratulations to Bernie and to all who organised such a successful event. Below Bernie (centre) and Runners up Claire Walsh, Laois (left) and Maria Carey, Clare (right)
Kilkenny City Macra
Club Profile:
Founded in 1946.
Achievements:
Queen of the Land Winner, 1999 – Mairead McEvoy
National Bowling Winners, 2005 – Philip Fennelly, Regina Byrne, John Millea,
Catherine Jackman, John Dunne, Jane Morris
National Question Time Winners, 2007 – Fionan Brennan, Mary Brennan, Aoife
Lanigan, Mary Drennan
Bank of Ireland National Leadership Award, 2007 – Denis Drennan
Bank of Ireland National Leadership Award, 2010 – Mary Brennan
Leinster Vice-President, 2007-2009 – Denis Drennan
Kilkenny City Macra holds an Annual Black Tie Ball every February.Current Officers:
Chairperson: Mark Comerford
Secretary: Kilian Kane
Treasurer: Marie Therese Kennedy
PRO: Aoife Lanigan
Meetings are held in the Orchard Bar, New Orchard Road @ 9.30pm. Contact Mark 085 2839023 for further details
Weekly Activities:
Every Monday night, Indoor Soccer in St. Canice’s Hall, Granges Road @ 8pm
Thursday nights, Basketball/Badminton in St. Canice’s Hall, Granges Road @ 8pm
County Officer Positions over the last eight years:
Sinead O’Sullivan, Treasurer, 2003-2004; Chairperson, 2004-2006; PRO, 2006-2007
Denis Drennan, Sports Officer, 2003-2004; Treasurer, 2005-2006, 2007-2008;
Competitions, 2006-2007; Chairperson, 2008-2009
Catriona Byrne, Assistant PRO, 2004-2005
Noreen Butler, Assistant Secretary, 2005-2006, Chairperson, 2006-2008; Assistant
Treasurer, 2008-2009
Helen Mooney, Social & Travel, 2005-2006
Michael Parsons, Young Farmers, 2005-2006
Philip Fennelly, Assistant Sports Officer, 2005-2006
Aoife Lanigan, PRO, 2007-2009; Sports Officer, 2009-20010; Competitions, 2010-
present
Karl Marshall, Development, 2007-2009
Mary Brennan, Treasurer, 2008-2010; Assistant Secretary, 2009-2010; Secretary, 2010-
2011; Chairperson, 2011-present; National Council Rep, 2011-present
Deirdre Brennan, Treasurer, 2010-present
Fionan Brennan, Development, 2010-present
Kilian Kane, PRO, 2011-present
Recent News - by Kilian Kane
Kilkenny Macra News by Kilian Kane
Soccer Blitz Winners
Well done to the both men’s and women’s team from Callan and Kilkenny city macra for making it
through to the next stage of the indoor soccer tournament. The final round of match’s will take place
in January on the 27th in O’Loughlin Gaels.
Public Speaking
Well done to Colette Power for represented Kilkenny macra and Mick Somers who won the
Impromptu Speaking at the Semi-Finals of Public Speaking & Impromptu Public speaking which were
held in Hotel Kilkenny on the 26th of November.
Goal Mile
Mullinavat Macra members will be supporting The Goal Mile. The Goal Mile will take place on
Stephens Day at 11.30am in the Mullinavat GAA grounds. Sponsorships cards are available from
Centra and Brogans in Mullinavat. Your support is needed for this worthy charity. There will be a
variety of games on the day including Tug of War and the annual "All Star Bet-more Chase". Fun
guaranteed for all ages.
Winter Watch
In light of the predicted cold weather conditions and darker evenings all the members of Macra
are encouraged in their local area to be mindful of the needs of the elderly and isolated in our
communities. A simple visit to such people can demonstrate tremendous support and can identify if
people are in need. A simple act of kindness such as delivering a newspaper or groceries or helping
to gather wood for the fire can make all the difference. By spreading this message amongst Macra
members we can play an important role in our communities by looking after our neighbors.
Events
The county pool competition will take place on the 27th of December in the K-bowl at 7pm, sign in is
at 6.45.
South Tipperary Macra will host their annual New Year’s Eve ball in the Cahir House hotel on the 31st
of December. Tickets will cost €40 and are selling fast. The theme on the night is James Bond, so if
any member of Kilkenny macra would like to be shaking and not stirring in the New Year on the night
please contact your club chairperson or Mick wall for further details.
The county round of novice debating will be held on the 7th of January, venue to be confirmed. On
the night we will have South Tipperary and Waterford Macra joining us so if anybody is interested
please contact Mick wall.
Next county executive meeting will take place on the 12th of January in the Springhill Court hotel at
8.30pm. All clubs are asked to send two delegates to help plans out the next few months’ events and
to insure your club is well informed.
As always you can check out all of the latest news on the Kilkenny county Macra website at
www.kilkennymacra.com or on Macra’s website at www.macra.ie or find us on Facebook. You can
also subscribe to the Macra national weekly newsletter on www.macra.ie . Anybody interested in
joining any of the Macra clubs or indeed start up a new club in Kilkenny should contact the county
training officer Mick Wall on 0868359891 for further details. You may think macra is not for you but
give it a try. You have nothing to lose but a lot to gain.
