Press Room

The national final of Macra na Feirme's variety entertainment contest, the FBD Capers Competition, took place in An Tain Theatre in the Town Hall in Dundalk, Co. Louth last weekend (Saturday, 4 February) where Athboy Macra club from Meath beat off stiff competition from five other groups to emerge victorious on the night. This is the second year in a row that the Meath club has scooped top prize in the event, and ten members of the group have now won themselves places on the Macra na Feirme prizewinners' trip to Krakow later this year.

'Macra Capers' is a competition designed for clubs wishing to gain experience in producing and performing a light entertainment variety show, with performances ranging from singing and dancing to comedy and drama.

Athboy's show, entitled 'The Rhythm of Life', was a mixture of dancing, live music and comedy. The show was produced by Eamonn Cassells, choreographed by Eimear Harte and musically directed by Dara Englishby. The cast was made up of Aishling Kearney, Cathy Miggin, Siobhan Delea, Sarah Maguire, Declan Cassells, Shane Murray, Eamon Cassells, Robert Lucas, Joanne Lynagh, Aoife O Reilly, Martha Finnegan, Tracey Lynch, Joe Healy, Alan Byrne and Owen Mooney.

Speaking at the event, Colm Markey, national president of Macra na Feirme commended all six groups on the talent and hard wor which had brought them to the national final.
'The extremely high production values we've witnessed here tonight are a fine example of the result of teamwork in action. All teams competing this evening produced extremely professional and entertaining shows and should be applauded for their dedication, creativity and enthusiasm.'

Leah Marron, of sponsors FBD, congratulated the teams who had made it through to the national final and presented the trophy and medals to the winning team from Athboy.

Mountmellick Macra from Co. Laois were runners-up in the competition while another Meath team, Kilcloon, came in third place.

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