Caitríona does Gaisce for local Macra branch

CAITRÍONA Fox Murray of Corrogurm, Mitchelstown, now of Carrick-on-Suir, was awarded a Civic Merit Award recently in Farmleigh House, Pheonix Park, Dublin.

Caitríona is a committee member of Ballyhoura Macra and a past committee member of Avondhu Macra region and Cork County Macra Executive. Caitríona also served on the National Rural Youth Initiative Committee with Macra na Feirme.

It is a fantastic achievement for Caitríona to give so many years of voluntary service to Gaisce and also to Macra, and it’s a great achievement for the club as a whole.

On the occasion of the award, Caitríona said: “I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to the members and committees, past and present, of Ballyhoura Macra na Feirme for the opportunities given to me and support shown to me over the last few years”.

Gaisce or ‘great achievement’ is a self-development programme for young people between the ages of 15-25 and has been in existence since 1985.

The Awards initially flourished under the patronage of former President of Ireland, Patrick J Hillery and, to date, have been carried by incoming Presidents.

To date over 300,000 young people have participated in the Gaisce programme nationally.

Ballyhoura Macra na Feirme began it’s own Gaisce journey in 2009 when Caitríona Fox and fellow committee members at the time established the Gaisce programme in the club.

Over the last 10 years, several awards (bronze, silver and gold) have been achieved by members and friends of Ballyhoura Macra na Feirme.

A Civic Merit Award is awarded to any President’s Award Leader (a designated organiser of the award within an organisation) for five or more years of voluntary service.

Anyone wishing to partake in Gaisce or join a thriving Macra club can contact Caitríona on (086) 376 0487 or club chairperson Billy Hedigan on (087) 417 5982.

Ballyhoura Macra na Feirme welcomes everyone between the ages of 17 and 35 years. The Ballyhoura club is 15 years going strong this year and has members from a wide area in the North Cork Avondhu Macra region around Kildorrery, Shanballymore, Glanworth, Doneraile and surrounding areas.

One can follow the club on Facebook or Instagram. Check out www.macra.ie for more information on Macra na Feirme nationally.

Gaisce CEO Yvonne McKenna, Caitríona Fox Murray (Ballyhoura Macra), John Cunningham (Gaisce Chairperson), Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh (guest speaker) at the Gaisce Civic Merit Awards Ceremony in Farmleigh House recently, where Caitríona received a ‘Civic Merit’ award.