Banteer Macra holds ld 50th birthday bash
Banteer Macra bash celebrates 50th milestone
PAST and present Banteer Macra members convened to reminisce and celebrate their 50th anniversary at a gala banquet hosted in the Killarney Heights Hotel last Saturday night.
National president James Healy from Donoughmore headed the guest list and joining the celebrations were Macra friends from across North Cork and Kerry. Through an array of scrap books and pictorial content, the event provided an opportunity to look back at the club’s achievements and acknowledge the contribution made by many past members over five decades.
Current Banteer Macra chairman, Aidan Murphy, explained how Macra was founded in 1944, when Steven Cullinane and a group of other vocation teachers set up a young farmers’ organisation in Ireland which they called ‘Macra na Feirme’.
“The majority of young farmers at the time had only primary level education and Macra was formed in the hope that it would be a springboard to revolutionalise Irish agriculture, which it did”, he said.
A Cork county executive was established in 1948 to co-ordinate the work of all the clubs in Cork. By the early 1950s there were over 60 clubs in the county and it was recognised that one executive could not serve the whole county, thus the formation of regions based on the ancient baronies.
“By the mid-1960s Macra had strengthened further and there were 85 active clubs within Cork, and Banteer club was formed. Macra had a huge profile, it was one of the most active organisations in the county drawing great support from all sides of agriculture,” said Aidan.
Banteer continues to hold a strong position within Macra, the success of members in competitions has been the backbone of the flourishing club and over the years the club provided great leaders to the Avondhu Region and the Cork County Executive.
“Banteer Macra has had great success in uniting young people from rural and urban backgrounds through an active programme of events. The organisation owes its strength to its varied and comprehensive schedule through education, competitions, recreation, social and charity involvement,” said Aidan.
“Our continued success is a reflection of both the enjoyment and satisfaction derived from participating across a diverse programme of activity.”
Over the years, Banteer has laid claim on The Co. Efficiency Finals, Club of the Year, Macra Capers winners to Miss Macra titles won by Catherine Buckley and Bríd Cooney in addition to an assortment of many other honours.