Kilmallock celebrate 60 years
Kilmallock is the only surviving Macra founding club, the last trace of a fledgling farmers’ movement which went on to spawn the IFA and ICMSA, and build the foundation of much of the modern Irish farming industry.
At Bulgaden Castle on November 20, the special guest will be former senior Department of Agriculture officer, Dr Harry Spain, who founded the club in 1944 and played a leading role in launching Macra as a national organisation. Edward O’Leary, the only surviving founder member, will attend, along with relatives of the other founding members.
At the first national gathering held at Athy in July 1946, the new national organisation was named “Macra na Feirme”, which translates as Ireland’s farming warriors, reflecting members’ determination to fight for their rights.
When the first Macra Summer Gathering was held in 1946, 42 clubs had been formed in 18 counties. This national movement was the launching pad for ICMSA in 1950 and IFA in 1955. It all started with Kilmallock’s 68 inaugural members, who paid a subscription of £17 each.
About the same time, rural science teachers at Mooncoin, Co Kilkenny and Athy, Co Kildare, James McDwyer and Stephen Cullinan, were organising similar clubs, with the assistance of David Hurley and Bill Brickley.
But only the Kilmallock club can claim to a continuous link in Irish farming history from 1944 to the present day, and that’s what an attendance of about 300 will celebrate at Bulgaden.
To order tickets for the Kilmallock 60th celebration, contact the organising committee or John MacNamara on 086 8277622.
