AGM.

Macra’s AGM took place on Saturday, the 7th May, in the Cavan Crystal Hotel and was kindly sponsored by Lakeland Dairies.

National President, Alan Jagoe, was inaugurated alongside his three VPs, Kieran O’Dowd from South Sligo Macra club (North-West VP), William Holohan from Mullinavat Macra club in Kilkenny (Leinster) and Tommy Moyles from Ballinascarthy Macra club (Munster).

Kieran O’Dowd was also elected National Chairman, with Gail Shannon from Wexford and Siobhan Kelleher from Dublin taking up the respective roles of National Secretary and National Treasurer.

These join ex-president Michael Gowing, re-elected executive members Ronan Feighery from Offaly, James Healy from Muskerry, Aoife Connors, Waterford, Catherine McCollum, Cavan and newly appointed executive member Sean Finan, Roscommon.

Chairpersons and members of Macra's three sub-committees, Agricultural Affairs; Rural Affairs and Competitions, will be elected in June at the next national council meeting.

Speaking at the AGM, National President, Alan Jagoe, said, “I would like to thank Michael [Gowing]and his team for the last two years and thank them for the direction and leadership that they gave Macra. Their work was built upon the foundations that their predecessors had built. Every two years a new Presidential team puts their own mark on the organisation. The footprints and trails that have been left by all those that have gone before us have not only made Macra na Feirme what it is today but have spread much further afield into many aspects of Irish society.”

He also thanked Lakeland Dairies for their sponsorship of the event and congratulated the organising committee in Cavan Macra for successfully coordinating the day's proceedings.

The final of the All-Ireland debating competition also took place at the AGM with Athboy, Co. Meath coming out victorious over Mitchelstown, Co. Cork.

Reminder:

Miss Blue Jeans.

As many of you are aware. The annual Blue Jeans Country Festival takes place in Athboy Co. Meath over the June Bank Holiday weekend. This year’s festival promises to be bigger and better than ever! Katriona Lennon from Lough Egish will represent Monaghan at the event. Anyone wishing to travel to support her is encourage to book accommodation as soon as possible.

Lough Egish Macra will host a club fundraiser on May 21^st in the social centre, Annaghmullen. All clubs are encouraged to attend the event to welcome our newest club to Monaghan.

FBD Young Farmer of the Year is underway. Anyone interested in entering can download an application form from the website. The closing date is the 13^th of May, so if you are interested get your entries in before close of business tomorrow!

The annual silage competition is also underway. Further information available online.

New members and anyone interested in Macra are encouraged to come along to any of our events get a feel for what Macra’s all about. You can also contact our training and development officer Mick Larkin on 0877792414.

Anyone with notes for inclusion in coming Macra notes are asked to contact Brenda on 087-9519249 or at brendamcquillan0@gmail.com.