It’s November, the evenings have long since drawn in and there is a feeling of finality in the air. While the year of the Gathering has been far from perfect in many different senses, mostly economic ones, there is a slight improvement of mood.

This is due to the better weather we experienced this summer, although it would have been hard for mother nature to give us more rain than in 2012.

On the Macra scene, our year is only really under way. We had a wonderful annual conference in Carlow during the October bank holiday weekend, followed by the 49th Queen of the Land competition in Tullamore only a couple of weeks ago.

Now we look towards what will be another very important Macra event, our ‘Macra Gathering’.

‘Racing for Macra’ is an event taking place in four greyhound stadiums, this Saturday, 30 November. It has a number of prime objectives.

First and foremost it is designed to be a fundraiser for the approximately 200 Macra na Feirme clubs in Ireland who have seen over a quarter of a million people benefit from Macra’s existence since it was founded almost 70 years ago.

Secondly, ‘Racing for Macra’ will help our national organisation to continue to provide a high level of service to its members through the rollout of programmes and initiatives in each of its six key developmental areas – agriculture, public speaking, performing arts, competitions, community involvement and travel.

Lastly, we hope that it will be a really good social night, where present and past members can come along to enjoy what is best about Macra.

We would hope to see many people who have benefitted from being a member of our unique organisation come to meet their old friends, and maybe make new ones.

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Already, thousands of people are planning on attending one of the events in Waterford, Cork, Mullingar or Galway.

Our members have been selling tickets countrywide for the past two months but there is still time to buy them before the event, as they won’t be available on the night.

Even if you can’t attend one of the events, each €10 ticket guarantees entry into a draw for the chance to win €1,000 or a weekend stay for two at the FBD Castleknock Hotel.

If you would like to buy a ticket and support your local Macra na Feirme club then please contact any Macra member or ring 01-4268900. I hope to see you there on the night.

Paddy Delaney, Leinster vice-president

  • Muskerry Macra will host a farm walk on Sunday, 1 December, on the farm of Pat Ahern's in Rylane, at 2pm. All are welcome to attend. For more information contact Diarmuid on 085 8295613.
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  • Terelton Macra na Feirme are hosting their 60th anniversary dinner dance on 30 November, in the Castle Hotel, Macroom, at 7.30 p.m. Music on the night is by The Michael Kennedy Band. Tickets cost €30 per person or €55 per couple. Contact 086 1242847 or 086 8930486 for more details.
  • Carrigaline have launched their New Year’s Eve ball. There will be plenty of opportunities to join in with the fun and ring in the New Year with all your friends. It’s always a wonderful night of laughter and music, with superb food and a team of dedicated staff whose goal it is for you to have a great time. Be sure to book early for this sell-out event. The hotel is offering a special rate on rooms for the night, starting from €25pps for a triple room and €35pps for a double room, all including breakfast. For more information, contact Niall Nicholson on 087-7529027, Ollie Cronin on 086-8974388, or check out www.carrigalinemacra.com or www.facebook.com/CarrigalineNYE
  • To celebrate Berrings Macra’s recent AIB Club of the Year victory they would like to invite you to a celebratory night to honour the hard work of Berrings Macra in the last year. This special night is happening in The Castle Hotel, Blarney on 29 November at 8pm.