Macra na Feirme hits 75

Macra na Feirme was founded in September 1944, going from strength to strength over the years.

In recent times the 75th anniversary was celebrated with gusto, rekindling fond memories for all associated in the past and reigniting current active members resolve to continue driving the organisation forward, remembering fondly those that have passed to their eternal reward.

At one time there was a branch in practically every parish in the country, the rivalry often akin to that in the GAA! Within The

Avondhu area a plethora of clubs and loads of members took part in some or all of the myriad competitions / events organised at local, divisional, county and, when successful, national level, as it is today. All with wonderful tales to tell or not!

Lifelong friendships were made, romances blossomed, many, many happy marriages followed, with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren taking up the baton at club, regional, county and national levels, successfully steering the good ship Macra, a fitting legacy 75 years on for the vision and determination of the first general secretary, Stephen Cullinan and the other 11 co-founders in 1944.

Cork (Patrick Quinlan, Declan Martin, Tom Sheahan, Flor O’Riordan, Catherine Buckley, Alan Jagoe, James Healy), Tipperary (PI Meagher, Joe Rea, Seamus Hayes, TJ Maher) and Limerick (Michael Noonan, Kieran Curtin, Richard Kennedy) have provided many presidents over the years.

In 2019, while the clubs may be fewer in number, the commitment, enthusiasm and keen competition, mixed with the sporting and social elements is on a par with the ‘heady days.’ It continues to deliver and serve the community well, shown almost weekly in the Macra page in The Avondhu, as has been the case since our 1978 establishment. Indeed, in putting this spread together the number of pictures, special occasions and honours achieved by local clubs and members covered by us in print and pictures over the years was astonishing. Unfortunately, we can only reproduce a random sample of the pictures from the archives. We hope they bring back many happy memories!

In addition, we asked one former stalwart, John Arnold for a brief account of his Macra experiences. Making the point that it could easily be 2,000 words (no surprise there!), John agreed to keep it short! Here is his reflections, that most involved, at one stage or another, would concur with, I’m sure:

I don’t know what year I got involved in Macra initially. It was probably around 1972, yes I’d have been 15

The group of supporters from Glanmire Macra who travelled to Kilkenny to support Tomas Cuffe in the final of Mr Personality in 2015. (The Avondhu Archives)

Eddie Collins TD Minister of State for Industry and Commerce presenting the award to John Kenny, captain of the Ballyduff team that won the Farm Tasks at the RDS, Spring Show in 1986. Also included are team members Liam and Richard Keane and Thomas Shanahan (left), national president, Macra and Paddy O’Keeffe, editor, Irish Farmers Journal.

Some of the 100 strong membership of Ballylanders Macra na Feirme, having been chosen ‘All-Ireland Club of the Year’ in Waterford in 1999.

Guest speaker, Claire Concannon (third right), pictured with members of Mitchelstown Macra who organised a mental health seminar in The Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown in 2015, l-r: Fiona Hennessy, Mairead Allen, Mag Kelleher, Ellen Downey and Aidan Hally. (The Avondhu Archives)

The Doneraile Macra group with their producer and backstage helpers following their performance of ‘Cup Final’ at the Avondhu regional finals in Mourneabbey in 1987. (The Avondhu Archives)

Killavullen Macra members at the 1993 New Year’s Eve ball at The Hazel Tree. (The Avondhu Archives)

Bartlemy Macra members with their trophies, Mary Barry (make and model), John Murphy (gardening) and Marie Hazelwood (make and model) at the 1987 Imokilly Macra dinner in Ashbourne House Hotel. (The Avondhu Archives)

Castlelyons Macra team, winners of the Imokilly Region Macra drama in 1987. (The Avondhu Archives)