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Miss Eibhlis Maher (International Miss Macra festival PRO), reports:-
Miss Susan Willis, representing Co. Carlow was crowned International Miss Macra 2015, at the close of the 44th International Miss Macra Festival, which took place over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Miss Julie Muldowney, representing Co. Kilkenny, achieved second place, while Miss Helen Hayes representing North Tipperary, was awarded third position.
The names of the winners were announced at that enchanting hour of midnight, when a rare eerie silence descended on the Ballroom in Dundrum House Hotel, marking the conclusion of this year’s festival and where the Macra Gala Banquet had taken place earlier that evening.
Miss Susan Willis was presented with a specially-made Sterling Silver Tiara, embellished with cubic Zirconia, designed and hand crafted by Michael’s Jewellers Thurles, marking the 40th anniversary of International Miss Macra Festival. Miss Willis also was proudly presented with the Perpetual Silver International Miss Macra Trophy, courtesy of Dundrum House Hotel management, together with a piece of Galway Crystal and a cash prize of €1000.
The second placed, Miss Julie Muldowney, received a specially commissioned piece of Galway Crystal and a cash prize of €500, while Miss Helen Hayes, adjudged a close third, also received a piece of Galway Crystal and €300 prize money.
A record over two hundred and forty people sat to dine at the five course Gala Banquet on Sunday evening last, held in the luxurious Dundrum House Hotel, thus concluding this year’ most successful festival to date.
Previously, that morning all International Miss Macra 2015 contestants attended mass in the local parish church in Clonoulty-Rossmore and afterwards togged-out to prove their worth by taking part in a sports day.
Musical entertainment on the Sunday night was provided by the band ‘The Guest Band’ followed by Ireland’s No 1 favourite DJ, ‘Don Andrews’.
This year saw twenty-two contestants, each chosen by their Macra Clubs, took part in the 44th International Miss Macra Festival.
The enormous success of this year’s festival, which attracted record crowds, is due completely to the hard work of all Clonoulty / Rossmore Macra members, who undertook the precise planning and organising of this festival on a completely voluntary basis, under the leadership of Mr Donnacha Ryan (Chairperson). Indeed, speaking on behalf of this year’s sponsors Mrs Joan Pollard Carew (Michaels Jewellers, Friar Street, Thurles) strongly recommended that the Clonoulty / Rossmore committee should immediately take over from our present government, so successful were the formers efforts in the promoting of rural Ireland, its heritage, tourism and valued traditions.
In relinquishing her last year’s title, the former International Miss Macra winner of 2014, Miss Brid Cooney, stated “What an amazing 12 months it has been representing Macra na Féirme, Avondhu Macra and Clonoulty Rossmore Macra as International Miss Macra 2014. Thanks you all for the opportunity, it has been absolutely fantastic meeting all of this year’s contestants. You’re a fantastic bunch of ladies and did yourselves and your Counties / Clubs proud. It therefore gives me great pleasure to pass on the coveted crown to Miss Susan Willis of Carlow Macra and I hope and trust that you have a brilliant year while promoting the Macra na Féirme gospel! Warmest congratulations to the overall winners and those taking part – winners all.”
Speaking at the Gala Banquet, Mr Donnacha Ryan (Festival Chairperson) stated that “Miss Brid Cooney’s past year, as 43rd International Miss Macra 2014, was one of total dedication in the promotion of Macra principals and Macra Clubs throughout the length and breadth of Ireland and abroad.”
  
Miss Eibhlis Maher (International Miss Macra festival PRO), reports:-
This year (2015) celebrates the 44th anniversary of the International Miss Macra Festival. The festival is run annually by the Clonoulty/Rossmore Macra na Feirme club; held over the Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights of the annual August Bank Holiday weekend.
Click HERE to view Video in High Definition
(Video Music: Courtesy Richard and Linda Thompson – “I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight”.)
Once again this year’s festival will see young ladies travelling from all over Ireland and beyond and all converging on Co. Tipperary to compete for the honour of being crowned International Miss Macra 2015 (succeeding the much admired, 2014 winner Miss Bríd Cooney.).
History of the Miss Macra Festival
With regards to the history of this most prestigious of events, the International Miss Macra Festival is one real example of a ‘personality competition’. This festival was originally founded by Mr Paddy Heffernan, Mr Tom Horan and Mr Michael Slattery back in 1972 and has grown from strength to strength every year since conception.
In the very beginning after approaching Macra National Headquarters, the founding members received little enthusiastic support for their idea, however they were determined to succeed and decided to organise the competition ‘of their own bat’. Major success followed and by 1987, for the twenty-fifth anniversary there were thirty-two contestants, one from every county in Ireland. Also during the 1980’s the festival began to attract participation from rural youth and agricultural organisations abroad, such as the 4H clubs in America, the Scottish Young Farmers and many more.
The International Miss Macra competition is unique, due mainly to the fact that it is organised solely by a local Macra Club and not via any County Executive. The Miss Macra festival has a huge community base also, with the contestants staying with host families from around the locality for the duration of the festival period. The pinnacle point of the festival is that it is, perhaps, the best example within Macra of what a local club can achieve, demonstrating strong dedication and team-like commitment.
The local community play an important part in this festival, with many households taking on the role of a host family for each of the contestants, year after year. The tradition of the contestants staying with host families is very strong and contestants are adopted into the very heart of each host family’s home for the full duration of the festival, where a warm welcome is guaranteed. The host families are a very important part of this community based festival and Clonoulty/Rossmore Macra na Feirme club are very grateful each year for this support, generosity, commitment and loyalty.
International Miss Macra Festival Venue – Dundrum House Hotel, Tipperary
The luxurious Dundrum House Hotel (latter winner of a certificate of excellence in 2012) has once again been chosen as the prominent venue for this year’s festival. Described as an oasis in the Golden Vale; Dundrum House Hotel boasts the perfect setting for those seeking relaxation and fun. The historic, picturesque building was originally constructed in the early eighteenth century by the O’Dwyers of Kilnamanagh, as the centrepiece of their vast estate.
Continue reading 44th International Miss Macra Festival – Friday July 31st 2015
An attempt at the All Ireland Tractor Challenge and Guinness World Record will take place at the Turnpike, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, tomorrow.
 Committee and promoters of the the All Ireland Tractor Challenge, latter which will take place at the Turnpike, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, tomorrow. The “All Ireland Tractor Challenge” and Guinness World Record attempt, sponsored by Supermac’s, will take place at the Turnpike, Two Mile Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, tomorrow (Sunday May 3rd) beginning at 11.30am.
Last year, in a similar attempt, some 1100 tractors turned up at the Thurles Racecourse, Nenagh Rd, Thurles, Co Tipperary, in an attempt to beat the current existing record, latter which stands at 1232 tractors. All tractors, vintage or otherwise, are still being welcomed, so have you entered your tractor in this event?
Note: Your entry can still be accepted by contacting Michael Fahey (Mobile 087-2712967) or T.J. Donnelly (Mobile 087-9855745) or Chris Verling (Mobile 083-4156785).
Note: This Tractor Challenge Guinness World Record Attempt tomorrow is not only just about a world record breaking attempt, it is also about a great social day out for all the family, with full proceeds going to North Tipperary Hospice (Suirhaven) Cancer Support Centre and the Cameo Care Dementia Respite Unit; both two worthy local Thurles Charities.
There will be Tug of War events, numerous prizes for the best 1950’s outfits for male’s, females and children attending; there will be Bouncy Castles, Amusement Rides, together with an abundance of stalls of all shapes and sizes. Stalls will include Aloe Vera, Novelty Cakes, Stakelums, Mo Cara Animal Rescue, Hayes Yoghurt’s & Cheese’s, Thurles Men’s Sheds, Latteragh Crafts, Farmers Markets, Morrelli Sports Wear, Shannon Ices, just to name a few and all fully supporting this massive event.
Expect to brush shoulders with celebrity stars of sport, stage and screen; e.g. Rugby’s John Hayes & Denis Leamy, Alison Brolan (Munster’s Rose of Tralee contestant) and Derek from ‘Crystal Swing’. Thurles natives Una Foden (Healy) of ‘The Saturdays’ and Comedian Pat Shortt are also expected to drop in sometime during the course of the day’s events.
Some 300 tractors have already arrived on site for parking at the Turnpike and same will remain over night under strict security, to await the larger contingent of vehicles expected to arrive early tomorrow
For further information see All Ireland Tractor Challenge and please do support this truly worthwhile charity event.
 The ABP Food Group, which has processing plants close to the towns of Nenagh and Cahir, in Co Tipperary, will be the first European company to supply beef to the US in 17 years, with first shipments expected to commence in March 2015.
The is the first deal to supply Irish beef to the American market, since a 15 year ban was lifted just late last year.
According to ABP, this deal was facilitated by Pallas Foods a subsidiary of Sysco Corporation and will see ABP supply Sysco Metro New York and Sysco Boston with beef, which will be sold to restaurants and steak houses initially, thus providing grass fed, hormone free Irish beef onto the plates of US consumers.
Sysco is an American multinational corporation involved in both the marketing and distribution of food products to hospitality businesses such as restaurants, hotels and inns, including healthcare and educational facilities and boasting 194 distribution facilities and 425,000 customers.
For their part, ABP Group is one of Europe’s leading privately owned food processors, with operations spanning Ireland, the UK and Continental Europe controlled by its founder Larry Goodman. Here in Ireland ABP operate six large beef-processing facilities and is one of Europe’s leading beef exporters, while accounting for around a quarter of our national annual animal kill.
The US consumes some 11.5 billion kg of beef each year, 10% of which comes from imports and later today International chefs will cook Irish beef at a special event to be held at a Michelin starred restaurant in Manhattan.
The deal was announced today as part of the trade promotional visit being headed up by the Minister for Agriculture Mr Simon Coveney and Bord Bia.
Health and Safety Authority is to be given new powers to improve farm safety.
 With 24 farm deaths so far this year, at long last young children are now to be banned from travelling in tractors or other similar farm machinery.
The Health and Safety Authority is to be given sweeping new powers to improve farm safety.
Tougher new measures, expected to be introduced shortly, will mean farmers can be prosecuted for a range of safety breaches, including transporting children under seven years old in tractor cabs or other similar farm vehicles.
Almost three-quarters of all farm accidents this year were caused as a result of coming into contact with machinery.
A focus is also expected to be placed on other farm areas such as uncovered slurry pits.
Possible deal agreed between farmers and meat factories at beef talks.
Agreement has been reached on a deal between farmers and meat factories at beef talks overnight.
With two major protests have taken place at meat plants across Tipperary in recent weeks, at facilities in Roscrea, Nenagh and Cahir, a list of key actions have now been agreed in principal, aimed at addressing the recent concerns of beef farmers, including issues concerning weight specifications.
There are to be no price penalties based on weight until the end of next year and beef processors will provide a price incentive for animals from Quality Assured farms with effect from January1st next.
In a statement, Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) stated it was pleased to see movement on its key demands, while the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) have stated that recent beef protest sent a clear message to meat factory bosses that farmers must be treated fairly and with respect due.
The accepted concessions have still to be agreed by all parties in the IFA, but farmers at the talks appear to agree that this new deal represents the best possible outcome from their recent negotiations.
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