Limerick's Elaine declares candidacy for Macra presidency
ATHLACCA'S Elaine Houlihan has announced her candidacy this Wednesday evening to be the 39th Macra Na Feirme president.
The 27-year-old daughter of Eamonn and Ann is the current Macra Munster vice-president.
Elaine is synonymous with both Kilmallock and Limerick Macra and has been a driving force in recent years. She has also chaired both Kilmallock and Limerick Macra.
Elaine, who is a physiotherapist, comes from a beef enterprise and family run agricultural engineering business.
She told Farm Leader, if elected Macra President, she wants to continue the work that has been done thus far within agriculture affairs, rural youth and competitions and "build on this over the next two years if elected".
"Rural communities is a big focus for me as I want to see them grow and encourage the youth of today to stay within Ireland," said Elaine.
Volunteering is a big part of her life as she has volunteered as a physio during the summer for three years.
Nomination papers have been issued today with the close of nomination papers on March 1. Ballot papers will be issued on March 15. The close of receipt of ballot papers is on April 5 at 1pm.
Macra na Feirme is a voluntary organisation representing a thriving community of 10,000 young people from rural Ireland.
See next week's Limerick Leader for more on Elaine's big to become the next Macra president