Clare Macra na Feirme’s membership base has grown over the last 12 months. With the increase in activity comes success at national competitions, from indoor soccer, basketball, volleyball, and bowling to public speaking and debating. The county was represented in all of these competitions.

Macra na Feirme’s aims in Clare are to promote farming to young people as a career prospect and to represent and lobby for young farmers. The club also aims to create an outlet for young people to be active in their local community and involved in their own personal development. An increase in activity requires a need for finance and the decision has been made to raffle a calf to raise funds. The calf is a one-month-old four-star Limousin heifer calf out of a British Friesian cow. The calf is kindly sponsored by Clare Marts.

Lines will be sold at Clare Marts on Thursday 29 March and the raffle will take place on Tuesday 3 April. Alternatively, contact can be made with a Clare Macra committee member in order to buy a line. The price is €10 a line or three lines for €20.

Cillian Griffey, PRO of Clare Macra, said: ‘‘Clare Macra very much appreciates the support Clare Marts has given us. This is a good partnership and one which we intend to foster. We want to increase membership and activity levels and by liaising with the mart and farmers we hope to encourage more young people to join and receive the many benefits membership has to offer.’’

The calf in question is now famous having been in this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in the Ennis Macra float and she is already a prize-winning calf as Ennis Macra was a runner-up for its float.

If any young person would like to join the organisation, we would encourage them to visit the Facebook page by searching ‘‘Clare Macra’’. New members are always welcome.