THE CONTEST to find a new president of Macra na Feirme, the rural youth organisation, begins in earnest this week, with three candidates nominated for the post: Flor O’Gorman, Tallow, Co Waterford; Tommy Quirke, Tuam, Co Galway; and Michael Gowing, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
They will be competing to replace Macra’s first woman president, Catherine Buckley, who finishes her two-year term of office later in the year.
Nominations for the position close on March 4th and ballot papers will be issued on March 18th. The counting of votes takes place on April 8th. A series of hustings have been arranged by the organisation so the 8,000 members from the 300 clubs can meet the candidates. All nominated candidates for each region will outline their plans and take questions.
The following meetings have been arranged. Carlow: March 18th, 8pm, the Dolmen Hotel, Kilkenny Road; Carrick-on-Shannon: March 19th, 8pm, the Bush Hotel; Mitchelstown: March 25th, 8pm, the Firgrove Hotel; Navan: March 26th, 8pm, the Newgrange Hotel, Bridge Street; Claremorris: April 1st, 8pm, McWilliam Park Hotel; Limerick: April 2nd, 8pm, the Clarion Hotel Suites, Ennis Road.