International Miss Macra Winners 2009

The winner of the coveted title of “International Miss Macra 2009” organised by Clonoulty/ Rossmore Macra Club, Co.Tipperary, was announced to a packed attendance at the annual Macra Gala Banquet in Dundrum House Hotel, Co.Tipperary, last night.

The title “International Miss Macra” went to Edel Ronan representing Carbery Club in West Cork, with 2nd and 3rd places going to Angela Wall representing Meath and Lucy Lawler representing Wexford respectively.

The talented winner of the event received a cheque for €1000, a Tipperary Crystal vase and a silver perpetual trophy kindly sponsored by Dundrum House Hotel.

Runners up received generous prizes from sponsors Marcedes Kearney, Nu-du Lounge Beauty Salon, Clonoulty and Tipperary Co-Operative respectively. All of the contestants taking part were presented with beautiful pieces of specially commissioned jewellery as mementos of the occasion, kindly sponsored by Michael’s Jewellers, Thurles, Co.Tipperary.

This annual event has now been running for the past 38 years and its popularity continues to increase with each passing year, encompassing not just the farming community. This years winners fought off strong competition from 25 other talented competitors who had been selected by their farming organisations to compete in the competition.

Attending the festival this year were visitors returning from contries such as Sweden, Egypt, Scotland, England, USA and Germany, to name but a few.

National President Of Macra Address

In a challenging address to an assembled audience of some 320 guests attending  the Gala Banquet held in Dundrum House Hotel last night, Mr Michael Gowing, County Laois dairy farmer and National President of Macra, stated:

“In these very challenging times, we the young people of Ireland must continue to show leadership in our daily activities and within our communities. Now, more than ever the important role Macra plays in the communities in which it operates around Ireland, is more critical than ever before. The International Miss Macra Festival is a classic example of how Macra members can provide a modern day positive focus within an area while encompassing all the traditional values that Macra membership includes. To all the International Miss Macra’s and your supporters, I strongly encourage you to use your membership to the full, get out there and be active, remain positive, be involved, be Macra“.

He continued:

“Throughout its history, Macra has proved to be a veritable success story. Its continued vibrancy, through decades when the number of farms and farmers has decreased, bears testimony to its longevity and staying power. Macra has played an intrinsic part in fostering and promoting a population demographic, which could easily have been overlooked, or under represented, through an era of increased urbanisation”.