Welcome to the latest edition of the Macra newsletter

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The Queen of the Land Festival sponsored by FBD takes place in Tullamore, Co. Offaly from 11th - 13th November 2011. This national Festival is in its 46th year of existence and is hosted by Offaly Macra na Feirme. Over three event-packed days they will be appraised by a distinguished judging panel who will take into account appearance, personality, energy, confidence, dress sense, rural knowledge and elocution to choose the contestant which best exudes the qualities of today's modern rural woman.

Friday 11th November: Opening of the festival with a comedy gig by star of Republic of Telly, Bernard O'Shea, who will be performing in the Bridge House Hotel. Support acts include Macra's Tommy Moyles. Tickets are on sale for €15 from the Bridge House Hotel on 057 93 25600. Doors open at 8.30pm, act on stage at 9.3pm. Entry to the Disco after is €10 at the door.

Saturday 12th November: Interviews start at 8pm sharp. Entry to the Tullamore Court Hotel for the interviews and The Lols is €15 on the door.

Sunday 13th November: As the finals of the National Bowling competition are being held in Tullamore that day we are hosting a session in the Bridge House beginning at 2pm. Why not come along to support your Queen? Entry is free. The Gala Banquet kicks off at 7pm with the announcement of the 2011 Queen of the Land sponsored by FBD (and not to forget the Escort of the Year) at 11pm. Music by Fiesta. Tickets €35 must be ordered from Dave on 087 758 8127. Entry to music and announcement is €10.

Weekend tickets are available for €60 which includes entry to all events over the weekend. These can be ordered from Dave on 087 758 8127. For more information on the Festival see our website www.queenofthelandfestival.com

NB Please note that it was previously listed that training is €50 per person. This was incorrect and no charge to members applies.

Child Protection Training will take place in a number of locations across the country in November starting at 8pm. Those that attend will be awarded a certificate of attendance only. It is worthwhile to familiarise yourself with child protection as there are different definitions of abuse and it's important to remember that some members are under 18 years old. Training is only delivered twice yearly, usually March and November, and is open to all members.

North West:

Child Protection Training will be taking place on the 15th November in the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris.

South West:

Child Protection Training will be taking place on the 14th November in the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork.

East:

Child Protection Training will be taking place on the 14th November in the Ardboyne Hote, Navan, Co. Meath.

Laois Macra are holding their 65th Anniversary Gala Ball on Saturday 26th November in the Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise with a pre-dinner drinks reception at 7pm.

There will be guest speakers on the night and a band.

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in Ireland and around the world. The aim of which is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer. At the end of the month, Mo Bros & Mo Sistas celebrate their gallantry and valor by either throwing their own Movember party or attending one of the infamous Gala Partés held around the world by Movember, for Movember.

Our very own National President, Alan Jagoe, along with the three VPs, Tommy Moyles, Willie Holohan and Kieran O'Dowd, as well as numerous members nationwide are taking part. Following a final shave at the rally at the end of October, each of the lads has been working on growing a charitable mo!

Get involved too!

The Irish Cancer Society also wants women/ Mo Sistas to get involved!

This year Movember are giving one lucky Mo Sista a chance to get their hands on an amazing Movember prize pack worth €1,000 and show their support for the men in their life.

To get the ultimate Mo goodie bag, register at movember.com

Once registered all you have to do is post your favourite Mo memory to the Movember Ireland Facebook wall by 12:00pm Friday, November 11th, 2011 (that's tomorrow!!)

The prize includes:

Dinner for 4 in Coppinger Row
Accommodation for 4 at 4 star The Gibson Hotel Dublin
4 Gala party tickets
Freshmilk Mo Sista t-shirt
Links Sweetie bracelet with limited edition mo charm
TOMS Movember Classics shoes

Follow the Mo :

www.facebook.com/MovemberIreland

 www.twitter.com/MovemberIreland

www.youtube.com/movembertv

Does your club or county have some exciting news? Have you some photos that should be seen?

Email on your news articles and photos to macranafeirme@gmail.com with the email subject 'winter magazine' before next Thursday, the 17th November!

Space depending, Macra fame could be yours!

What: Join us for the One World Week central event

When: 11-2.30pm on Saturday 19th November

Where: Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1

The event showcases work that young people have done to explore questions about how we are connected to the world around us. How do our links - through people, food, clothes and technology – affect us, the world we live in and people in the Global South? Are young people active citizens or just consumers who buy first and think later? Young people will have the chance to participate in fun workshops on the day linked to the theme.

If you would like to register your group to attend or attend yourself, contact Elaine (elainem@nyci.ie) or Johnny (johnny@nyci.ie) or phone 01-4784122. Lunch will be provided.

One World Week is a week of youth-led awareness raising, education and action on local and global justice issues which takes place each year in November and coincides with the Council of Europe Global Education Week and Universal Children’s Day. This week One World Week takes place from Sat, November 12th to Sat, November 19th.

There is just over ONE week left to nominate your project for an AONTAS STAR Award.

Nominate an adult learning project for an AONTAS STAR Award AONTAS - The National Adult Learning Organisation is now accepting nominations for the STAR Awards 2012 as part of the sixth annual Adult Learners' Festival. Don't forget you can nominate your project online.

You do not have to be involved in the project you are nominating for a STAR Award. However, we welcome nominations from projects themselves or from people directly involved in the project they are nominating.

The STAR Awards are about recognising and celebrating the invaluable collaborative work undertaken by adult learning initiatives in our communities. In the current climate it's even more important that we continue to showcase the value of the sector in responding to the needs of individuals, communities, society and the economy. This year AONTAS have produced a short video to tell you more about the STAR Awards 2012 and why you should nominate your adult learning project for an award.

You have until Monday 21st November at 5pm to get your nomination in.

Seafield Golf & Spa Hotel, Ballymoney Gorey are having their very own Farming Break this November 21st – 23rd incl. 3 nights bed & breakfast, 2 evening meals, a Signature Spa Treatment or Golf, as well as full complimentary access to the fabulous Thermal Suites (€239 pps) also includes a welcome drinks reception on Monday 21st and a seminar by Professor of Crop Science Jimmy Bourke (UCD) “Overview of changing agricultural landscape – can we compete in a global market”.

A strategic thinker, Professor Burke is well known for his ability to generate innovative and novel solutions for the advancement of crop science.  Professor Burke has served on boards and advisory committees relating to agriculture, biotechnology and bioenergy both national and internationally.  His major research interests include cereal agronomy, bioenergy, climate change impacts on crop production, plant response to environmental stress as well as the development of new biotechnological approaches for plant improvement.

Once again Ireland’s hottest TV star Today FM’s Ray Foley returns to play cupid to thirty lovely ladies all hoping to find their perfect man. Before the studio though, Sideline will be looking to cast and audition 100s of leading Irish single men and women before choosing the lucky ones to shine on TV3 in early 2012.

Are you single and want to be on TV? Have you the style and the personality to wow a TV3 primetime audience?

Sideline Productions are looking for both male and female fun loving contestants with one thing on their mind. Star in one of the best entertainment shows on TV.

First come first served!

To download an application form visit: www.tv3.ie/takemeout

See also: www.facebook.com/tv3takemeout

Check out the new agricultural video site www.agritv.biz

Everyone is welcome to join and upload video ( agri related ) so get your Ag related videos up there!

Aghinagh Macra held a table quiz in the Ploughman bar on the 4th November last. We had a spectacular turnout and a great night was had by all. We would like to congradulate the winners of the adults who won first prize Dan McSullivan, John McSullivan, Kieran Lehane and Diramuid Scanell and also winners of the juvenile section were Gene Murphy, Michelle Horgan, Lisa Horgan, Michelle Hickey and.

There was also a raffle held on the night with over twenty prizes sponsored by local businesses. Aghinagh Macra would like to thank everyone that helped and supported them in anyway on last Friday night. 

Aghinagh Macra's next meeting will be held in the Laine Bar on Friday November 11th at 9.30. New memebers always welcome.

By Caitriona Fox

Last September at an awards ceremony in Dublin Castle five Macra members received their Gaisce Gold Awards with Ballyhoura Macra na Feirme from The President of Ireland, Mrs. Mary Mc Aleese.

Gaisce – The President’s Award is Ireland’s very own National award programme, the country’s most prestigious and respected individual award.  There are three categories – bronze, silver and Gold.  Gold is definitely the most difficult award to achieve as participants must complete a portfolio of their experiences.  Ballyhoura Macra began Gaisce in 2009 and has members completing bronze, silver and gold at present.

The members who achieved Gaisce Gold in 2011 were as follows: Maria Roche and John Stephen Roche of Kildorrery, Patrick Collopy from Ardpatrick, Caitríona Fox, Erika Murphy, Samuel Murphy and Aisling Lewis who are all from Mitchelstown.  Erika and Samuel will attend the Awards Ceremony in 2012 and will receive their awards from our President Elect, Michael D. Higgins.

On receiving her award this year, Maria Roche told The Avondhu ‘I’m delighted to have received an award.  It’s a great honour my club and I as  we are the first members of Ballyhoura to receive these awards since our club began Gaisce – The President’s Award in 2009’.

There are five sections for Gaisce Gold that must be completed and these are: Community involvement, Personal Skill, Physical Recreation, Residential Section and Adventure section.  The Ballyhoura Macra members who received Gold Awards this year were involved in a range of activities.  In the 2010-2011 Macra year John Stephen Roche was Social Activities and Development Chairperson for the Avondhu region and President of Ballyhoura Macra.  Caitríona held three officer ships during the year for Avondhu region; treasurer, chairperson and secretary.  She was also the treasurer of the Cork Executive and was elected as the secretary of the Cork Executive for the coming year. She is also involved in Mitchelstown Parish as she is involved in the Choir in Killacluig Church.

As well as holding officer ships for Ballyhoura Macra, Maria Roche joined to Cork Softball team and is an avid show jumper, competing in all the local gymkhanas. She also competed in Debating competitions during the year for the club and was even a judge for the Cork County Macra Novice Debating. Patrick Collopy turned his hand to drama as he was involved in the production and acted in two plays in Ardpatrick.  Patrick also plays for Bruff Rugby club as well as being a very active Ballyhoura Macra member. Aisling on the other hand was secretary of Ballyhoura Macra for half a term in 2010 and also likes horse riding.

Shannonside Macra Table Quiz

Shannonside Macra Table Quiz with a difference
Shannonside Macra na Feirme are holding their annual Table Quiz in lena’s Bar Adare on Thursday the 10th of November at 8.30pm. This will be a Christmas themed Quiz so watch out for any special visitors!! Teams of four are €20 with lots of fun guaranteed on the evening including fabulous raffle prizes, hope to see you all there!!

Table Quiz in aid of Cancer Care West

Table Quiz in aid of Cancer Care West, will take place on Friday 18th November @8pm, Kingsvalley Hotel, Bodkins Bar, Merlin Park, organised by Galway City Macra. Tickets cost 20euro per table of 4/ 5euro per person. Ticket includes entry to table quiz and raffle. Excellent prizes, eg., Weekend Away for 2, Hi-Fi System, etc. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Come along, test your knowledge and join in the Karaoke after. Lots of spot prizes throughout the night and plenty of fun to be had. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Masquerade Ball

Girls get your glad rags out, boys dust off yout suits and join Cushinstown Macra for our Masquerade ball on the 25th November. Includes a 3 course meal and games and dancing til late! Formal Dress and Mask essential! The night will commence at 7.30pm in the Horse and Hound, Ballinaboola, New Ross. Tickets €30, for more information contact Judy 0877557938 or Áine 0871306102

Treble R Macra Ceili , Dublin

Think you can give Michael Flatley a “Dance for his money”?? Treble R Macra are delighted to be hosting a ceili with ceol agus craic provided by the wonderful Triskell ceili band on Friday the 25th Novemver in the Garda Club,Harrington Street, Dublin 8. Dancing kicks off a 8.30pm til late.Admission is €10. A great night guaranteed.

Clonakilty macra meeting

A meeting of Clonakilty macra will take Place in the Industrail Hall Clonakilty on Friday the 12th of November at 9pm. Also Clonakilty Macra will be hosting their annual Fundraising Quiz in the Emmet Hotel Clonakility on Friday the 25th of November.

Knockbride Macra barn dance

Knockbride Macra will be hosting a barn dance/disco on Saturday 19th November, the event will be taking place  in Double D's, The Benjamin Inn, Baileboro and everyone is welcome.