North Tipp Macra na Feirme

Some of the large attendence at the monthly meeting of North Tipp Macra

The monthly meeting of North Tipperary Macra na Feirme took place last
friday night in the Clodagh Bar, Borrisoleigh and was hailed as a major
success. The meeting saw the largest attendence of Macra members in North
Tipperary in years, with all six Macra clubs represented. A lot of work has
gone into relaunching Clubs in Newport and Aglish and these clubs are now
very strong and are continuing to look for more new members all the time.
The other clubs will begin recruitment drives over the next few weeks to
keep the momentum going. Thanks to Brigid Walsh, Training & Development
Officer who has been working very diligently behind the scenes. The meeting
was very constructive and a number of decisions were made concerning our
plans for the coming months.

Aglish Macra recently held a very successful Table Quiz and will donate some
of the proceeds to North Tipp Hospice. Devils Bit Macra continue their
recruitment campaign this Wendesday night in the Templemore, Roscrea Area.
Nenagh Macra are going bowling on Friday night in Limerick.  Clodagh Macra
and Devilsbit Macra will represent North Tipperary in the Final of the Club
Question time Competition.Newport Macra are organising their annual car
treasure hunt, more details to follow. Moyne Macra will host the Tipperary
round of The National Talent Competition in February. Clubs are encouraged
to take part in this competition which comprises Solo singing, solo
instrumental, Ballad group, Novelty Act, Set dancing, Mastermind, Comedy duo
and Disco dancing. Kilkenny Black Tie Ball 2011 will take place in the
Ormonde Hotel on Saturday 12 February at 8pm, tickets 35 Euros.

Macra National President Michael Gowing has challenged the climate change
bill in advance of hosting a group of European young farmers who will be in
Ireland to discuss climate change. Michael Gowing said, “Irish agriculture
has a sustainable, environmentally-friendly, food production model with a
global population increase of 50% expected by 2050. Irish climatic
conditions will allow the country to be a key contributor to food production
in the years ahead, provided agriculture is not hamstrung by impossible, and
unachievable, emission targets proposed in the climate bill”.
North Tipperary Macra are hosting a free meeting with IFAC accountants for
young farmers on the 10th of February 2011 at 8:30pm in The Abbey Court
Hotel. All young farmers are welcome to attend the meeting which will
discuss planning the handover of a farm post Budget 2011 in the context of
the four year plan and interpreting your farm accounts. Young Farmers will
also have an opportunity to pass on their opinions on election and other
issues to members of Macra’s National Agricultural Affairs Committee who
will attend this meeting. IFAC Accountants are Macra’s partner for the Young
Farmer Development Groups. The meetings are being held as part of the
winter/spring series of Macra IFAC meetings which will take place throughout
February and early March 2011. For further information about any of the
above contact local Young Farmer Development Group Chair John Joyce on
0876567947
It was with great sorrow that we learned of the passing away of little five
year old Saoirse Heffernan having lost her battle for life against Batten’s
Disease  Saoirse’s story and that of her brother Liam have captured the
hearts of the nation and beyond over that past 10 months since the little
girl’s story came to light following her parents’ emotional appearance on
The Late Late Show in March 2010. Saoirse’s parents, Tony & Mary Heffernan
described how their life had been turned upside down since the diagnosis of
their only daughter with the devastating Late Infantile Batten’s Disease, on
the 25thSeptember 2009. Moyne Macra organised a very successful charity
fundraiser in November and raised a couple of thousand Euros for the Bee for
Battens Charity
The charity will contine its campaign to raise awareness of Batten’s
Disease, to support families and fund treatment trials and research into
this cruel fatal disorder. North Tipperary Macra held a minutes silence in
memory of brave Saoirse.
Why not get involved in your local Macra club? Membership is only €20 for
new members. We have six Clubs in North Tipperary, Aglish, Clodagh, Devils
Bit, Moyne, Nenagh, and Newport. For more information contact Bridget on 086
0822038 or look us up on North Tipp Macra Facebook page.