CLUB OF THE YEAR!

Freemount Take Home Country Wide Award

Freemount Macra were recently crowned Best Overall Club in the country, as well as the Best Club in Munster at the Macra National Conference held in Ballinasloe during the weekend. Chairperson Niamh Twomey reported: “We still genuinely can’t believe it, I’m still so shocked. Im just so proud to see how much the club has grown in the year. Last year, we were struggling to get numbers in;

we didn’t even have enough people to play a half court game of basketball. And now to say we have over 30 active members, 20 of which travelled up to Ballinasloe to support the club in the competition, and Doireann who competed in the Best New Member Competition, I have a great sense of accomplishment.

Chairperson Niamh Twomey with the cup

Freemount Macra has had a busy few months, fundraising being our priority. We have raised over €11,650 for 4 incredible charities AirAmbulance, LauraLynn, Marymount Hospice and Kanturk Community Hospital by holding a pub quiz, a tractor run, and a field day to celebrate our 60th Anniversary. None of this would be possible without our amazing committee and dedicated members.

Special thanks to Moses and Marie Roche for the use of their farm for the Anniversary!

Our members have taken part in Avondhu Regional competitions and activities, such as the farm skills, bowling, question time, football, basketball, karting, clay pigeon shooting and much more! Be it competitions, a night

out in Killarney or organising a fundraiser, our members are always happy to get involved. I cannot speak about our members without giving a mention to John O’ Connell, who proudly represented Freemount and Avondhu Macra at the Mr. Personality festival last April, and Bobby Power who placed 2nd in the National Poc Fada competition.

Freemount Macra has a sizable catchment area with members

The Committee Michael O’Callaghan, Niamh Twomey, Seamus Murphy and John Roche, with the cup

coming from Kanturk, Meelin, Boherbue, Newtownshandrum, Liscarroll, Ballyhea, Lismire, Dromcollogher, Kilbrin and of course Freemount itself. We have bonded very well as a group and I think it is safe to say each of us has made friends for life since joining Freemount Macra. We have created something special here in Freemount Macra during the last 12 months. In my opinion, we are no longer a club; we are a family. Thanks to clubs and organisations such as Freemount Macra, I have no doubt rural Ireland is in safe hands for many years to come!

If you or anyone you know has any interest in joining Freemount Macra, you can find us on Instagram and Facebook under Freemount Macra or you can contact our chairperson Niamh Twomey on 0894305508.