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Starting next Thursday July 28th, Tipperary’s longest running festival, International Miss Macra, will celebrate it’s 40th Anniversary. Joan Pollard Carew, (Michael’s Jewellers’, Friar Street, Thurles.) Macra Sponsor, Published Poetess, and Thurles Community Activist writes:-
 Joan Pollard Carew “I am both proud and honoured to state that I have been involved with International Miss Macra almost since its inception, forty years ago. In 1987, I was invited to join the adjudicating panel and was thrilled to accept. I am delighted to be one of the longest standing adjudicators and sponsors of this successful festival.
Over the years I was privileged to sit on the ‘Judging Panel,’ with Patsy Lawlor (Farmers Journal) Martin Ryan (Limerick Leader) Deputy Teresa Ahern (RIP) Jim Dockery, Matt O’Keefe, Eileen Leamy, Alma Heffernan, Deirdre Crowe and Declan Ryan to name just a few.
I have met and interviewed hundreds of contestants from every county in Ireland. Since the festival became International, we have had contestants from Germany, Holland, Russia, Poland, Scotland and New York. I am proud of all the decisions made by me and my fellow adjudicators over the years.
Our task is difficult, but very enjoyable, as we meet, chat and share time with a wonderful group of young ladies all eager to carry the title home.
I have been privileged to work with numerous Macra Committee Members, all who put their own stamp on the International Miss Macra festival. In the earlier years Paddy Heffernan, Michael Slattery and Tom Horan were among the founder members of the event, Paddy is still very involved today. I worked with Simon Loughman, John Ryan, Eamon and Geraldine Coleman, Jim Dockery, Eileen Leamy, Pat Fogarty, Declan Ryan, Claire Ryan, and the present Chairperson Mary Lyng.
I have fond memories of the earlier years of the festival and the field evenings (Held to raise funding.) up in the cattle mart, at Cabra Road, Thurles. My husband Michael and I were approached for sponsorship by Tim Curran from Clonoulty. That year we sponsored trophies for the field evening. This was our introduction to this wonderful festival as sponsors.
Thurles was the host town of the festival in the earlier years. Clonoulty Rossmore Macra Na Feirme brought a tremendous festival to the town over the August bank holiday weekend, for over thirty years. This added greatly to the economy of the town.
The festival usually started on the last Friday evening in July. Contestants arrived in the car park in Cathedral Street, Thurles, on floats and then were paraded up Liberty Square, to a specially erected platform, usually Dwan’s lorry, decked out in beautiful flower arrangements. The competing young ladies were escorted on to the stage and introduced to the huge assembled crowd. The job of introducing the contestants was very ably conducted over the years by numerous personalities including Jackie Griffin, (RIP) Philip Ryan, PJ Broderick, Eamon Coleman and Mike Egan.
Saturday morning Hayes Hotel in the Square was buzzing as the girls arrived for interviews. Saturday night saw The Premier Hall hosting the Cabaret, then it was dancing time and fun as contestant’s locals and visitors danced chatted and strangers became friends.
The sports day followed Sunday mass in Rossmore. Contestants, host family’s, locals and visitors travelled the short distance to the hurling field in Clonoulty. This was followed by a BBQ, prepared and cooked by the local ICA ladies.
Sunday night was Banquet Night and over the years this was held in Hayes Hotel or The Anner Hotel. Contestants were then coached to The Premier Hall to dance to The Paddies and the announcement and crowning of the winning girl.
International Miss Macra Festival has become the highlight in our calendar of events here in Co Tipperary. The festival has brought thousands of visitors from all over Ireland and parts of Europe to Co Tipperary for this August bank holiday period over the years. The festival is instrumental in helping us showcase Co Tipperary as a destination for holidaymakers who enjoy historical buildings, good fishing, equine activities, forest walks, traditional music / dancing and superb high street shopping.
We are the Premier County in the heart of the Golden Vale and extend a hand of friendship to all who visit us, small wonder that we have holidaymakers returning every year to our beautiful county.
International Miss Macra festivals has gone from strength to strength thanks to the foresight and hardworking committees over the years.”
The festival is now hosted in Dundrum House Hotel and Golf Resort. The ambiance of this great house and resort is a perfect location for this truly prestigious festival.
This festival begins Thursday 28th July and runs until Sunday July 31st, 2011 inclusive.
From Thursday 28th July to Sunday July 31st, 2011 tractors, silage harvesters and milking machines will go silent. Farms throughout the thirty-two counties will have all the appearance of being abandoned, when the young farmers of Ireland converge on the villages of Dundrum and Clonoulty, Co. Tipperary. One Summer weekend for the last 39 years here in Tipperary has been set aside to make friendships, enjoy festivity and fun, and this years 40th International Miss Macra festival and celebration promises, yet again to guarantee all three.
The scenic village of Clonoulty is once again honoured to host this annual festival, as beautiful young ladies from Ireland and abroad get set to compete for the prestigious title of 40th International Miss Macra 2011. Indeed if the International Miss Macra press conference was a reflection of the festival to come, then this years event could be seriously challenged for space and bed accommodation locally.
Nowadays, when members of the press are invited to to such conferences, they expect to find a handful of “the usual suspects,” neatly rounded up, but not our International Miss Macra committee. To a tightly packed conference room, the organisations Chairperson Mary Lyng addressed host families, sponsors, judges, committee and press members, together with over 16 of this years competing 26 gorgeous competitors, all taking part in this years competition. Some contestants had travelled from places as far away as Scotland, Tyrone, Dublin, Sligo, Cork and Clare for the evening, to the palatial Dundrum House Hotel and Golf Resort here in County Tipperary, latter all staking their claim to the title 40th International Miss Macra 2011.
In her opening address Chairperson Mary Lyng stated:-
On behalf of the organising committee of International Miss Macra Festival 2011, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Official Launch of our Festival. Now in its 40th year, we are delighted to have 26 contestants taking part in this year’s festival.
To the contestants, I welcome you and hope you have an enjoyable weekend. I would like to especially welcome back Annabelle Keohe, International Miss Macra 2010, who has travelled from Wicklow to be with us this evening.
I would like to welcome our Host Families and thank them for all their support and assistance. Each year they so generously open their doors to the contestants for the weekend. I would also like to thank our many kind sponsors. The success of the festival depends greatly on them and we thank them for their continued support. Particularly I would like to pay tribute to Michaels Jewellers’ and Dundrum House Hotel.
Our adjudicators have a difficult task ahead of them for the weekend, but I have no doubt that Joan, Declan and Catherine are more than capable of the task. I wish them the best of luck!
I wish also to thank National President of Macra Alan Jagoe and Munster Vice President Tommy Myles, for their support, and finally to all members of Clonoulty Rossmore Macra na Feirme, I thank them for all the work they have put into this year’s festival and look forward to the next two weeks of final preparations!
Mary Lyng also informed the large gathering that RTÉ had confirmed that Nationwide would be sending their camera’s to cover this years event, latter hosted by the popular duo of Mary Kennedy and Michael Ryan.
Outline of the Weekend’s Activities
Thursday 28th July: 6.00-7.30 pm – Contestants arrive in Dundrum House Hotel to meet organising committee and at 9.oopm contestants get to meet and greet with their Host Families in Clonoulty Community Centre, followed by a ceilí and other entertainment. The launch of a 40th celebration and Commemorative Booklet will also be held here.
Friday 29th July: 10.30am – 4.30pm The Queen Elizabeth II Guided Tour of Coolmore Stud and the Rock of Cashel will take place, broken briefly by lunch hosted by Macra National President, Alan Jagoe.
10.00pm sharp begins a 70’s Theme Night, Fancy dress and dancing to the “Wig Wham Glam,” band, followed by a disco in ‘The Venue,’ Dundrum House Hotel’s premier night spot..
Saturday 30th July: 9.00am begins Interviews for all the contestants in ‘The Multeen Suite,’ in Dundrum House Hotel.
1.00pm – Sound rehearsals for the cabaret. 2.00pm – Hairdresser appointments. 7.00pm – Mass in Rossmore Church. 8.00pm – Cabaret in marquee adjacent to ‘The Venue,’, followed by dancing to ‘No Recession,’ and late night disco.
Sunday 31st July: 12.00pm Sports Day, Barbecue and ‘Know your Neighbour,’ Family Fun Day in Clonoulty G.A.A. Grounds.
6.00pm – Official Photographs for all contestants. 6.45pm – Champagne Reception. 7.30pm – International Miss Macra Gala Banquet 2011.
10.30pm – Dancing to ‘Silver Dollar.’ Midnight Announcement of International Miss Macra 2011. 12.30 – Late Farewell Disco
Prizes:
The chosen 40th International Miss Macra 2011 will receive:- The International Miss Macra Perpetual Silver Trophy, together with a specially commissioned Perpetual Tiara, designed by Michael’s Jewelers’, Thurles, Co Tipperary, a cash prize of €1000 and a Tipperary Crystal trophy sponsored by Dundrum House Hotel.
First Runner up in this International Miss Macra festival will receive a specially commissioned piece of Tipperary Crystal and a prize fund of €500, while the second Runner up will receive a specially commissioned piece of Tipperary Crystal and a cash prize of €300, sponsored by Tipperary Co-Op.
Each of the 26 contestants will receive a momento of the weekend, also kindly sponsored by Michael’s Jewelers’, Thurles, Co Tipperary.
Marking System
Personality will receive 30 marks, Involvement in Macra 25 marks, Hobbies and Interests 15 marks, Knowledge of Macra 10 marks, General knowledge 10 marks and finally Beauty and deportment 10 marks. Total 100 marks awarded.
This years event has all the hallmarks of being the largest Macra event yet with the winners from the previous 39 Miss Macra competions expected to be in attendance at the Sunday nights Banquet.
See UPDATE:
 Organic Beef Good Herdsmen Ltd, the Cahir Co.Tipperary based organic meat producer, has just agreed a major contract with a German company to supply organic beef to be used in the manufacture of baby food. All beef to be supplied under this contract will be under 30 months old and will undergo rigorous testing for quality and safety standards.
Good Herdsmen Ltd which was founded in 1989 by Josef Finke and John Purcell, to co-ordinate the supply, processing and marketing of organic meat in Ireland, today represents the production of over 200 certified organic farmers and has grown to become the largest dedicated organic meat processor in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Approximately 50% of the companies production remains in Ireland and can be obtained in most Irish multiples and many independently owned quality food stores and restaurants. Outside of Ireland ‘Good Herdsmen,’ continues to service upmarket retailer centres in London and regularly dispatch supplys to manufacturing markets on the continent.
Good Herdsmen Ltd will now require a minimum additional 700 organic beef cattle each year, to supply beef to this German company, of which most will be processed into casseroles, beef stews, and other dishes.
Taking into account that annual organic cattle slaughter in Ireland is about 5,000 animals presently, this new contract will now amount to almost 14% of Ireland’s total national kill.
Director of Good Herdsmen Ltd, Thurles native, Mr John Purcell, stated that the first supplies of organic beef will be delivered to Germany later this month following a week-long inspection of their processing plant at Cahir, here in Co Tipperary.
Other Tipperary Farming Related News
Tipperary Co-Op Creamery Ltd, Station Rd. Tipperary have increased profits, with a reported a 17% jump in sales for 2010, to €146m from a recorded €125m in 2009, with profit before tax doubled to €784,000.
Tipperary Co-Op’s cheese division has also performed strongly during 2010 with total cheese sales, inclusive of its French subsidiary Tippagral, latter a key element of the companies cheese strategy, amounting to almost 15,000 tonnes.
This Co-Op also manufactures specialised products for the Irish Dairy Board’s Kerrygold Brand range and has continued to grow and strengthen its position as one of the key suppliers to the Kerrygold lactic butter market in Germany.
 Fine Gael Tipperary North / South Offaly TD Noel Coonan has strongly welcomed the decision by the EU Commission to bring forward the awarding of the Single Farm Payment (SFP), following representations made to the EU Commission by the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney. Farmers will now be able to draw down 50% of their SFP from 16th October instead of having to wait until December as previously intended.
“The Single Farm Payment forms an increasingly significant part of farmers’ annual income. The news that this payment will be available two months earlier than originally planned will make a big difference for farmers in South Offaly and North Tipperary,” said Deputy Coonan.
“Minister Coveney made a strong case at the recent meeting of the Council of Ministers for the payment to be brought forward. In the current economic climate, the SFP has become increasingly important, especially considering the difficulties people are having accessing credit. Cash-flow is paramount for farmers, particularly those on low incomes, and the timing of these payments is extremely important. Farmers are more and more reliant on the SFP to subsidise the running costs of their farms. Very often the payment constitutes an amount greater than the net farm income,” concluded the local Fine Gael TD.
 Kobe Beef Irish consumers will soon be able to buy a Tipperary home grown version of highly-prized and pricey Japanese Kobe beef.
Well that is according to award-winning butcher Pat Whelan, owner of James Whelan Butchers, here in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, who is supporting this initiative. Kobe beef (Named after sixth-largest city in Japan.) is the particular product of cattle known as the black Tajima-ushi breed of Wagyu (Translated: Japanese cow.) that produce this highly-prized meat.
Wagyu cattle were introduced into Japan in the second century as as beasts of burden, used mostly in rice cultivation. However as beef consumption became more prominent in society, farmers began hiring workers to massage the animals’ backsides to improve their meat quality. The mountainous topography of the islands of Japan have resulted in small regions of isolated breeding of these animals, yielding herds that developed and maintained qualities in their meat which differ significantly from all other breeds of cattle.
Some of the biggest Wagyū herds outside of Japan are now farmed in New Zealand while in the United States, Japanese Wagyū cattle have been bred with “Aberdeen Angus cattle” to create a crossbred animal that are better able to survive the native climate and U.S. ranching methods.
Herd isolation and distinctive feeding techniques, which resulted from limited grazing land availability, have led to distinguishing features that make the meat both superior in marbling texture, in the ratios of unsaturated versus saturated fats and a higher percentage of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
The animals, which are being reared in Tipperary, will be treated with the same level of attention and care, as this well known Japanese breed of Wagyu
Described as the ‘foie gras of beef,’ producing a tender, naturally enhanced flavour, Kobe meat usually retails at up to €35 per 150 grams of filet steak sold retail, but Mr Whelan claims that his operation are aiming to produce this meat for a fraction of that price, for their discerning customers.
The first Irish born and bred Kobe style beef should be on the meat shelf by August of next year.
Whelan Butchers, currently based in Clonmel, Tipperary, now have their sights set on expanding into the Dublin meat market initially and ultimately into the export market, to cope with the huge international demand for this expensive, but prized meat.
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