Origins of Macra na Feirme
Macra na Feirme is a voluntary organisation for young people between the ages of 17 and 35. The organisation consists of a nationwide network of clubs with six key areas of activity: agriculture, sports, travel, public speaking, community involvement and performing arts. Macra na Feirme is committed to the personal development of members and puts emphasis on social interaction and participation.
Macra na Feirme was founded in 1944 by Stephen Cullinan, a rural science teacher. The organisation's original purpose was to provide young farmers with adequate training to ensure their livelihood and to provide an outlet for socialising in rural areas. Macra na Feirme was adopted as the official title of the organisation in December 1946. 'Macra' means stalwarts or the elite and 'na Feirme' means of the land. Over 250,000 young people have passed through the ranks of Macra na Feirme. Much has changed since those early days; young people have different priorities now and need new challenges, which Macra today tries to provide. Currently Macra na Feirme has 9,000 members in 300 clubs. Approximately one-third of Macra members are involved in farming, with males making up 60% of the membership and females 40%. Macra is a democratic organisation and every member is entitled to air their opinions at club, regional and national level.
Innovative and Supporting Communities
Macra na Feirme established organisations such as:
- The Irish Farmers Journal
- Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association
- Macra na Tuaithe (now Foroige)
- National Farmers' Association (now IFA)
- Farm Apprenticeship Scheme
- Irish Farm Accounts Co-op (IFAC)
- National Co-operative Farm Relief services Ltd
Membership Benefits
All Macra members (Ordinary and Patron members) can now avail of the new members benefits package. This package comprises of the following:
FBD Insurance Benefits
FBD Insurance Discount €35 Voucher for Macra members redeemable against your Private Motor OR Home Insurance OR Commercial Motor Insurance (One voucher per member with effect from 1st of April 2009). Vouchers will be made available through Macra clubs by 1st April 2009. FBD Personal Accident Cover An exclusive 10% discount available to Macra Members who purchase Personal Accident Insurance.
FBD Hotel Discount Preferential Rates for Macra members in FBD Hotels in Ireland are also available. For further information check the Downloads section on this website.
Car Maintenance from Advance Pitstop
10% discount to Macra members & family members from Advance Pitstop who have over 40 branches nationwide. They also offer a free '5 Point Safety Check' and a 'Pre NCT check' free of charge.
To avail of the offer Macra members or any family member must either Print off a voucher from the downloads section of www.macra.ie and present it to Advance Pitstop Or Book online at www.advancepitstop.com stating that you are a member of the 'Macra Corporate Club' in the comments section. Or State that you are a member of the 'Macra Corporate Club' at the point of sale.
Pensions & Life Assurance from Acorn Life
Acorn Life Limited offer pensions, life cover and savings policies. See www.acornlife.ie They are offering the following to Macra members:
Reimbursement of membership fee to any member who signs up to any Acorn Life financial product each year for a maximum of three years, provided the policy is continued in that period. The refund will be paid at the end of each year. Acorn Life will provide a 20% discount on fees on all pension products and 10% on fees on all life cover and savings products.
To avail of this offer Macra members must contact Denis Ahern, Acorn Life, 1st Floor, Anderson Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork. Tel 025 40808, 086 6052722 and denis.ahern@acornlife.ie.
VHI Health Insurance
Macra members can avail of a 10% on all VHI plans by joining the Macra na Feirme/VHI group scheme. Details and application forms will be available on the Macra website or from Macra na Feirme National office on 01 4268900
Free Personalised Email Address
Macra mail Macra members can avail of a personalised Macra e-mail address free of charge through our website www.macra.ie. Your e-mail address will be in the format firstname.surname@macra.ie and you will receive the Macra newsletter every week.
To activate your account click on the 'Macra Mail' link on the home page of www.macra.ie and follow the instructions.
What does Macra na Feirme provide for members?
Macra na Feirme is a national, voluntary organisation for young people between the ages of 17 and 35. The organisation aims to promote agricultural and rural development and the personal development of its members. Macra promotes social and cultural education, and the widening of interests among rural youth.
Macra offers members:
- A strong national structure.
- 31 County Executives, National Council, National Executive and a National Office.
- Training and support through a professional training staff.
- Representation through our role as a Social Partner.
- Free Email Address for all members.
- A Diary and Membership Card.
- VHI group discount scheme.
- A fully organised national programme of activities.
- Public liability insurance for those who organise normal Macra activities.
Kilkenny Macra na Feirme 1944 - 2008
Macra Na Feirme is a national, voluntary organisation for young people between the ages of 17 and 35. The organisation aims to promote agricultural and rural development and the personal development of its members. 2004 marked the 60th anniversary of the founding of the organisation and over 250,000 people have passed through the ranks of Macra since its foundation.
Kilkenny can lay claims to two firsts within the organisation. Mooncoin was the first Macra club to be formed on October 19th 1943 and the first Macra Na Tuaithe club was formed there in 1952. The founding members of that first club set up included Michael Kinsella, John O'Hanlon, Tom Fielding, Tom O Dwyer, Walter Crowley, Richard Kinsella and Ed. Quilty. Other early clubs include Kilkenny City in 1946, and Ballyraggett and Callan in 1947. The first county executive was held on June 24th 1946 with James Purcell from Garrandarragh, Mullinavat as the first county chairman and John Hoyne from Ballyfoyle as Secretary. Kilkenny Hosted the second summer gathering in 1947 at which the rules and constitution of Macra were adopted.
Prominent past members include Seamus Doran, Tom Kearney- who represented Ireland in two Olympic games at fencing, and Richard McEvoy. Pat Dwyer and John Power of Kilkenny Hurling fame were past members of Callan Macra Club. Kilkenny are privileged to have two past national presidents of the organisation Matt O'Keeffe from 1992-1993 and more recently Seamus Phealan from 2002-2003.
Macra is now organised in 8 key areas:
- Leadership Training
- Competitions
- Travel
- Young Farmer
- Arts & Culture
- Sports & Social
- Rural development
- Adult Education
Macra nationally, is a social partner farm organisation together with IFA, ICMSA and ICOS. As a social partner, Macra has regular access to Government Ministers and senior civil servants. The organisation also has representation on many important committees and groups. In Kilkenny, Macra are represented on four boards - B.N.S. Leader, The Disease Control Committee, the Community Childcare Committee and the Kilkenny County Enterprise Board. While its primary role as a social partner is to represent young farmers, the organisation also raises issues of concern for all rural young people including current issues including Car Insurance and driving test waiting lists.
Recent Highlights within Macra in Kilkenny would include the hosting of the National Conference (or rally as it is more commonly known) in 2002 where over 2000 Macra members travelled to Kilkenny for Macra's most important national event. In 2001 Kilmacow club scooped the highly coveted national club of the year prize. In 2004, Kilkenny also hosted the national capers final, where a packed Watergate audience watched light entertainment shows from Macra clubs from all over Ireland. In 2005, Kilkenny City won the National Bowling Title. In 2006, Freshford won the National Senior Debating Title. Also in 2006, Glenmore Ladies Basketball Team won the National Title & in 2007, Mullinavat won the National Title. Also, in 2007, Mullinavat won the National Public Speaking Title. In Oct 2007 Kilkenny City won the National Question Time Title. Another great highlight of the Macra Year is the annual S.O.S. Disco where Macra members organise a great night's entertainment for members of the S.O.S, St. Patrick s and L'arche. Kilkenny Macra also organises many events raising money for local and national organisations both at club and county level. Since 2006, Kilkenny have being hosting the very successful Mr Personality Festival in the Springhill Court Hotel.
Kilkenny County Macra currently has 7 clubs throughout the county with approximately 200 members. Each Club has a Committee comprised of a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and P.R.O. Members are represented by a county executive consisting of 20 officers who deal with all programme area in Macra.