Macra’s Leadership finalist: ‘It’s not just for farmers’
Kildorrery’s Emma Hurley was a proud finalist at the recently held 2021 Macra na Feirme Leadership Awards. As one of six women nominated - the first time the final has been an all-female affair - she was nominated to recognise the huge part she plays in Ballyhoura Macra.
Though not an overall winner, Emma was delighted to be nominated, as a relative newcomer to the organisation.
“It was a huge surprise! My nomination came from some of the officers in the club. When they saw that I had done a lot of hard work, getting the club going again after restrictions were lifted, they nominated me.”
Emma is a member of Ballyhoura Macra for the last five years, and was introduced to the organisation by her boyfriend, who’s in a different club. He took her to a social, and she was hooked.
“It’s not just for farmers. Most of the Ballyhoura club isn’t actually farmers! And if you’re looking for something to do, be it drama, or personal development, there’s loads of options.”
“We look at mental health and sexual health is part of what we do as well. We’ve recently done courses on Lámh (a manual sign system) and there’s a lot of us doing an upcoming mental health course. There’s so many opportunities. It broadened my horizons really. I would never have gone into a leadership role if I didn’t have the confidence to do so through Macra.”
The Leadership Awards, of which three winners were announced, were won by Banteer Macra’s Caroline O’Keeffe, Ferbane/Banagher (Offaly) Macra na Feirme’s Sarah Kelly and Emma Kate O’Dwyer, from Waterford Macra.
Emma says all members are looking forward to their annual Avondhu regional ball in Springfort Hall, Mallow in the next few weeks - their first social event since restrictions lifted. The club also have an upcoming volleyball competition, so are aiming to have a team together for that.
“Macra really helps to develop confidence and meet people you wouldn’t meet in your normal day-to-day life. There are 40 of us in Ballyhoura Macra at the moment age from 17 to 35, so we really represent a full broad spectrum of ages”.
If anyone would like to get involved, they can contact their local Macra group on their social media pages.