What is Macra na Feirme

Macra na Feirme is committed to the personal development of members and puts emphasis on social interaction and participation.

Macra na Feirme was founded in 1944 by Stephen Cullinan, a rural science teacher. The organisation's original purpose was to provide young farmers with adequate training to ensure their livelihood and to provide an outlet for socialising in rural areas.


Macra na Feirme was adopted as the official title of the organisation in December 1946. 'Macra' means stalwarts or the elite and 'na Feirme' means of the land.

Over 250,000 young people have passed through the ranks of Macra na Feirme. Much has changed since those early days; young people have different priorities now and need new challenges, which Macra today tries to provide.


Currently Macra na Feirme has 9,000 members in 300 clubs. Approximately one-third of Macra members are involved in farming, with males making up 60% of the membership and females 40%.


Macra is a democratic organisation and every member is entitled to air their opinions at club, regional and national level.

Macra na Feirme Established
* The Irish Farmers Journal
* Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Associateion
* Macra na Tuaithe (now Foroige)
* National Farmers' Association (now IFA)
* Farm Apprenticeship Scheme
* Irish Farm Accounts Co-op (IFAC)
* National Co-operative Farm Relief services Ltd