Destination
for Publication: The weekend review comes as a supplement with
the Irish Independent every Saturday.
This article would not
only be of interest to people who met their partner through Macra Na Feirme,
but also those who want to learn what the organisation is all about.
Have you ever wondered
how you are going to meet the person of your dreams and live happily ever
after? Some might say the modern pheonomon that is internet dating is the best
way to meet that special person, or just go out on the town and hope for the
best. I can assure you that the latter does not work. However there is one way
perhaps few would have considered, joining your local Macra Na Feirme club.
Since 1944 over 250,000 people have passed through the ranks of Macra Na
Feirme. Many couples throughout the country can give this great organisation
massive credit for bringing them together. The common belief people have of
Macra Na Feirme is girls sit on one side and boys sit on the other and it is an
organisation just for farmers. I can assure you nothing could be further from
the truth. Macra Na Feirme is open to anyone from the
ages of 17-35 who is willing to join. However before you take the brave step
and join your local club, it is important you prepare a few questions first.
These questions could be “how much road frontage do you have” or “what kind of
farm do you come from”? It does not matter what question they ask you, it is
always advisable to say you have more land and road frontage than you actually
own.
And the rest was history
Let us meet one of the
many happy couples who met in Macra Na Feirme. Mary and Pat Gittens from Ballon
Co. Carlow first met at a Macra Na Feirme social function, Pat got talking to
her and the rest as they say is history. However Mary pointed out that she did
not join Macra Na Feirme with the intention of finding a man. It is also
interesting to note that two of Mary and Pats children, John and Caroline are
now members of Dublin City Macra Na Feirme. When asked if they met someone
special in Macra, Mary gave the same answer any mother would give “they would
not be telling me anyway”. Sarah Dodson and Eric Driver both from the Tullow
Macra Na Feirme club are another couple who can give Macra credit for bringing
them together. Sarah and Eric are engaged and due to be married next May. The
couple had more reasons to celebrate when Eric was recently promoted to the
position of Mart Manager at Tullow Livestock Sales. Sarah also made the point
that as a result of both of them being members of Macra they get to do more
things as a couple. When asked if Macra was a good place to meet your future
partner, Sarah simply replied “definitely”.
How it all started
In 1944 Stephen
Cullinan along with a group of agriculture advisors, rural science teachers,
and farmers took a step into the unknown to establish Macra Na Feirme. Today
Macra Na Feirme is still an organisation for young rural people who are between
the ages of 17-35. In order to become a member you must first join your local
Macra Na Feirme club. If you are shy about joining Macra Na Feirme don’t be,
because there are thousands of clubs around the country, ready to welcome new
members. Macra also has competitions to suit everyone and thankfully you don’t
need to be an expert to take part. As a member you will meet young people from
all over the country and get involved in a variety of activities such as sport,
public speaking, and community involvement.
Why Macra Na Feirme?
You may wonder at this
stage why is Macra Na Feirme such a good place to meet your future husband or
wife. According to Carlow Macra Na Feirme chairperson Mairead Sutton, “Macra is
the place to form relationships”, having met her own boyfriend at the annual
Carlow dinner dance. There has been much written about the modern phenomenon
that is internet dating. Mairead was very quick to point out that while
internet dating was not her thing, she did confess to having a friend who met
her boyfriend that way. Is it likely
that internet dating will one day form more relationships than Macra Na Feirme?
This is unlikely with over 5,000 members nationwide in Macra.
Forget about everything else
The couples mentioned
in this article are all in their own way different. However one common thread
that brings them all together is Macra
Na Feirme sowed the seeds for the relationships they now find themselves in. If
your 17-35 and looking for someone special forget about the world famous match
making festival in Lisdoonvarna or internet dating, try something closer to
home and join your local Macra Na Feirme club today. Whatever happens it is a
decision you will never regret.
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