This article is from page 20 of the 2011-08-09 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
MACRA NA Feirme has initiated a campaign aimed at setting up a string of new clubs across Clare.
Macra, a voluntary youth organisation for those aged between 17 and 35, has a number of clubs in the county and is aiming to set up others.
A development plan has been put in place for the county, in an effort to increase the number of clubs. The first two areas targeted are Sixmilebridge and Kilrush, where information evenings will take place over the coming weeks.
The first will take place on Friday, August 19, at the Mill Bar, Sixmilebridge, while another event will take place in Kilrush the following Friday.
“Clare was a county that had several clubs before and every now and then a club would go so we are trying to get new clubs in the county. The Macra year starts in September,” said the training and development officer with Macra, Theresa O’Leary.
“A lot of them have dwindled. In recessionary times, Macra does well. It did well in the ‘80s,” she said.
She said that while the focus will be initially on setting up two clubs, there are plans to start up several others across the county.
“Our hope would be to get as many people involved as we can. The events are about telling people what it’s about,” she said.
Traditionally, Macra was geared towards rural areas. However, it has become hugely popular in urban areas in recent years.
“Years ago, when it started, it was for farming and rural areas. Now it has become a social outlet. There is one in Galway city,” she said.
“In Galway, there are nine or 10 clubs and the same in Roscommon. Cork would be very strong also,” she said.
“People involved in sports often join. It is a voluntary organisation. People can do as much or as little as they want. It is wide-ranging. Membership is only € 20 for the first year,” said Ms O’Leary.
Anyone interested should phone 087 6257152 or check out Clare Macra on Facebook.