Cork's Miss Macra 2014: ‘Social life is great in Macra’

There weren’t too many reasons for Corkonians to celebrate in Croke Park last Sunday, but there was plenty to cheer about the same day in Tipperary as Brid Cooney, from Cecilstown in north Cork, became the 43rd International Miss Macra.

“I am still in shock,” Brid said yesterday as she savoured her winning crystal trophy and €1,000 winner’s cheque. “It was nice for Cork to win something on Sunday.”

Brid, 24, who is the PRO of Avondhu Macra and works in administration at Kanturk Mart, was chosen out of 30 women during a gala dinner held at Dundrum House in Cashel.

It wasn’t just looks and personality that won her the day, either, but also her literary bent. “I read out a poem I wrote called My Time in Macra and it went down very well with the judges, thankfully,” said Brid, who graduated last year from UCC with an honours degree in Public Health and Health Promotion.

The 30 competitors in Miss Macra International included a Canadian and two Scottish contestants from rural youth organisations in their countries.

The youngest of five girls, Brid has been a member of Avondhu Macra for the past three years. “My sister, Tracy, was a member and, when I saw the fun she was having, I couldn’t wait to join,” she said. “My time with Macra has exceeded way beyond my expectations. The social life is great. You get the chance to travel to dances and quizzes and lots of other events.”

Macra na Feirme ( meaning ‘stalwarts of the land’) celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. It was founded in 1944 by a group of 12 agricultural advisors, rural science teachers, and farmers. Its first secretary was Stephen Cullinan, a rural science teacher. More than 250,000 young people have since passed through its ranks and it remains devoted to providing a social outlet for members in sport, travel, public speaking, performing arts, community involvement, and agriculture.

“You hear a lot about it but it’s not until you experience it that you realise how good and worthwhile it is,” said Brid.

Approximately one third of Macra members are involved in farming, with males making up 60% of the membership.

That gender split is a little different at Avondhu Macra. “In our club we have about 18 fellas and five girls,” said Brid with a laugh.

“It means we have the pick of them.”