Macra na Feirme Member News: July 4th
Post on: Thu, 04, July 2019
Former Macra President Sean Finan Re-Elected As CEJA Vice President
In Stockholm last week, Former Macra na Feirme President Sean Finan was re-elected as Vice-President of CEJA – the European Council of Young Farmers.
Speaking after the announcement Sean Finan said, "I'm delighted to be re-elected as a CEJA Vice President for the next two years. As young farmers, we face many challenges in the short term which will determine our future farming careers including Brexit, Mercosur, Climate Change and CAP reform. I look forward to working with the CEJA President Jannes Maas and fellow Vice Presidents at an EU level as we lobby and advocate on young farmer issues."
He continued, "CAP needs to support young farmers through progressive targeted supports which are adequately funded to deliver on the ambition set out by CEJA and EU Commission regarding generational renewal. The CAP budget needs to be maintained or enhanced and in CEJA we will continue to lobby for that. We cannot be sold-out by the EU in a bad Mercosur deal which will be detrimental to Irish and EU young beef farmers in times of huge uncertainty with Brexit."
Macra na Feirme National President Thomas Duffy said, "We are very glad to congratulate Seán Finan and see him re-elected as a CEJA Vice President. Seán has done a wonderful job as CEJA vice president over the last two years. We wish him the best of luck for the next two years and know he'll continue doing great work for Irish young farmers at a European level."
Double Celebrations as Cavan Macra turns 70!
Cavan Macra Na Feirme are delighted to announce plans to host a dinner dance in the Cavan Crystal on the 13th of July. This event is to celebrate Cavan Macra's 70th anniversary. There will be double celebrations on the night with Thomas Duffy making history in becoming Cavan's first National Macra President 2019-2021.
The night will consist of a five course meal from 8pm, followed by entertainment with the band, 4Degrees West and DJ to follow. We will also be show casing memorabilia from the last 70 years from 7pm. Tickets cost €30. Please contact Amanda 0862085645 or Caoimhe 0864546882 to book your ticket.
Accommodation is available in the hotel, please quote Cavan Macra when booking, Double room €150 and Triple €180. Both include breakfast and use of the leisure facilities.
We, the committee, will be delighted to have your support at our Anniversary Dinner Dance in the Cavan Crystal Hotel on July 13th from 7pm.
Farmers Wanted for RTE Show on Climate Change
RTE are working on pre-production for a tv documentary about climate change and we're trying get in contact with young farmers - ideally with a farm size of 75 hectares in drystock (with a mixture of beef & sheep) - who would be willing to participate in a carbon audit for our programme.
Anyone interested can contact : Rhenda Sheedy (Researcher) email: sheedyr@rte.ie or tel. 012082944.
Filming is scheduled to take place during August and the documetary is due to air on RTÉ One, in early November of this year.
Nominations For National Youth Film & Animation School
Young Irish Film Makers (YIFM) are actively soliciting nominations for youth (16-19 years) interested in participating in a 10-day residential National Youth Film & Animation School in Kilkenny, August 11-22. YIFM were awarded eighth bursaries from Screen Ireland to fully fund tuition, bed/board and travel costs for eight young people. All that is required is an interest in film -- no prior experience needed. The deadline for bursary nominations and applications is this Friday, July 5. Full details online here: http://yifm.com/bursary/ Precedence will be given to youth from areas and communities where training resources are limited or non-existent; and/or for youth who historically experience marginalization.
Entries Closing Soon for Tullamore Show & FBD National Livestock Show
With 1,000 competitions as the core element of this wonderful event, the closing date for accepting entries is fast approaching, being Wednesday 10th July. Irelands Premier Show, The Tullamore Show & FBD National Livestock Show, the largest one-day event of its kind, is on Sunday 11th August this year, on the 250-acre Butterfield Estate, Tullamore, in the centre of Ireland, where you can experience the best of farming, food and rural life.
There will be very keen competition for a massive prize fund of €175,000 on offer, together with a range of highly sought-after gold medals, rosettes and cups to be won on the day. There are over 1,000 classes on offer across a variety of sections including Dairy Cattle, Pedigree Cattle, Commercial cattle, Sheep, Horse Showing, Fashion, Dogs, Horticulture & Farm produce, Cookery & Food, Craft & Needlework, Art & Photography, National Inventions Competitions, and Poultry. The prizes are competed for by the very best livestock producers in Ireland vying for the 45 national titles and the coveted gold medals. Also offered are many children's classes from showing stock to cookery and crafts.
Entries will be closing soon, online entries closing 10th July and postal entries closing 3rd July. It's time to get your entries in now. Full details of all the classes and the online entry process is available on www.tullamoreshow.com - Don't miss out on your chance to win big at the Tullamore Show!
Seandún Macra are on the Road Again
This week saw Seandún Macra heading to a national final. It was Whitechurch Macra's Donal O' Sullivan who represented us in the national finals of dairy stock judging having won the Seandún Round. The O'Keeffe family's Radney Holstein Friesian herd hosted the IHFA National Holstein Friesian Open Day on Thursday June 27th, located near the village of Freemount, which is nestled close to the North Cork market towns of Charleville and Kanturk.
As the sun shone brightly, the day couldn't have been better for an outdoor competition. Donal had fought off stiff competition in the Seandún round so he was already a winner regardless of the results. Macra members from all over the country came to see what the day had to offer and to participate in the competition on behalf of their respective regions. Donal represented the Seandún Region proudly and put his best foot forward. The competitors were put through their paces as the temperatures rose in which was undoubtedly the hottest day we have had so far so it was no easy feat. When all results were added up, the win went to our neighbouring region Carbery Macra with Stephen Shannon winning under 23s and Patrick Deasy winning the senior macra dairy stock judging. Congratulations to the Carbery boys on their win.
No doubt Donal had a great day and he was thrilled to be able to represent both the Seandún region and his club (Whitechurch Macra na Feirme) at yet another national final.
A huge thanks of course also has to go to the sponsors of the stock judging competition- Ornua who are Ireland's largest exporter of Irish dairy products. A successful day from start to finish.
Don't forget that many of our clubs will remain active throughout the summer. Remember to follow our Seandún Macra facebook page and Snapchat account to keep up to date with all of our happenings throughout the summer.
Awbeg Macra News
Our dodgeball skills are slowly improving, as is attendance for the Wednesday night sports night. All are welcome to Mourneabbey GAA complex from 8.30 each Wednesday night to participate. Members of Awbeg and Avondhu Macra will be proudly supporting Ballyhea/Charleville Macra in their fundraising games at Charleville Show this coming weekend, come and join in the fun and get to know your local Macra clubs!
Further info on events, competitions and membership is available from our Facebook page: "Awbeg Macra", by tuning in to our Snapchat: "Awbegmacra1" or by contacting Ellen on (086)772 9798.
Athboy Macra Presents Laundry and Bourbon
For one night and one night only, the National Drama title winning ladies from Athboy Macra will put on their "Laundry and Bourbon" play in St. James' Hall, Main Street, Athboy @ 9pm on this Saturday, 29th July. Entry fee is €5. All are welcome to come along and support the girls!