This article is from page 14 of the 2013-07-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
BALLINRUAN’S Róisín Rodgers will carry the hopes of the county with her as she travels to Tipperary to take part in the International Miss Macra Competition this weekend.
Róisín, who is a keen traditional musician, hope to raise the profile of Macra Na Feirme in Clare through the competition – and who knows, maybe even bring the big prize back to the Banner.
Macra has undergone a renaissance in Clare in recent years with three new clubs forming across the county. The newest of these clubs is Róisín’s own club in Ennis, which is not yet even a year old.
“I am so proud to represent the county, especially as a someone who is relatively new to Macra. Ennis has been very, very active as a club in recent months and it has been brilliant for me to be involve in the club and not as Clare’s Miss Macra,” she said.
“It is a massive undertaking to represent Clare so I am a little bit nervous. It is only natural, I think, when you enter a competition like this. I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t a little nervous.”
Róisín is a keen musician and is about to start a Masters in Music at UL. In the future she would like to play music during the summer, work as a primary school teacher in the winter and also publish a book about the Kilfenora Céilí Band.
“I love the club and I love my role as PRO. I really do want promote the club to the people of Ennis and to Macra as a whole in Clare. It is a real honour to be chosen as Miss Macra for Clare this year and I really do want to promote the work of Macra to everyone in the county,” she said.
“Ennis Macra is such a new club that there is a great opportunity now for people to get involved and really shape the club. The one thing that I keep telling people is that Macra is not just about farming – you can cater Macra to suit your own needs.
“Sometimes people think that to be involved in Macra you need to come from a farming background, but that is not the case. Each Macra club can change to suit the needs of the members.”
Róisín would like to thank everyone who has supported her including her sponsors including Sean O’Keaffe School of Motoring, Banner Equestrian Toonagh, Chez Marie Boutique, the G Nine 9 Boutique, Pat McCarthy Shoes and D2 Print.