For the last 12 years Limerick IFA Farm Family committee has been marking Nollaig na mBan with a celebratory lunch and get together.
Traditionally this was a day for women to take it easy after all the busyness of Christmas. A day to visit family and friends.
A day to celebrate all the work done by women. And what better way to celebrate than with a nice lunch and exchange of gifts.
Anne Gabbett organised the first lunch and says it was always easy to get women to attend. “Meeting at noon and having lunch and lots of chat that goes on until the early evening suits women. It’s their time.
"Each person brings a little gift with a value under €10, these are exchanged and everyone goes home with something."
Over the years the event has attracted women from Kerry, Galway, Cork and Tipperary and further afield. “It’s an easy event to organise as women are happy to come.
"It’s great to catch up with everyone and we have plenty of time to chat,” says current organiser Mary Breen.
So what will they remember from the 2018 farming year and what are their expectations of 2019.
Ann O’Connor
Ann O’Connor is a dairy farmer from Castletownroche, Co Cork. She is also chair of the North Cork Farm Family committee. Nine years ago her husband Kevin died and she faced a lot of big decisions. Their seven children were all still in school and college.
“We all agreed that we’d keep hold of the farm and Kevin’s 100-cow pedigree herd.
I started going to meetings two years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. Get involved, you have nothing to lose and a lot to learn
"That’s what we did. All the children chip in, milking cows before they head out to school and college, five of the family are still in the education system.
"It’s worked and we have lived up to our promise.”
Looking forward to 2019, Anne would love to see an average milk price of 32c/l across the year but she doesn’t think it’s likely. Brexit is the big unknown and Anne is concerned about the impact it will have on food exports to the UK. She would also like to see more women attend farm meetings. “I started going to meetings two years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. Get involved, you have nothing to lose and a lot to learn.”
Imelda Walsh, North Tipperary, Anne O'Connor, Castletownroche, Anne Baker, Mitchelstown and Mary Jo Heffernan, Tipperary. \ Eamonn Andrews
Anne Baker and Imelda Walsh
Anne Baker from north Cork and Imelda Walsh from north Tipperary are a year into their jobs as IFA county chairs. Both are relishing the experience.
“It’s challenging but in a good way and I’ve great support.
"I’m there to help and I would urge farmers who are in financial difficulties or have other problems to come talk to me earlier in the process,” says Anne.
Imelda is equally keen to stress this point about farmers who are in financial difficulty with banks or vulture funds.
“We cannot allow family farms to be taken over by vulture funds. Come talk to us if you are in trouble.”
For both women the trials and tribulations presented by extreme weather is what they will remember of the past year. “It certainly proved to me that we need more common sense in farming. Farming by the calendar just doesn’t work.
"Let farmers work to best practice instead. To that end the two week extension for spreading both organic and chemical fertiliser made a huge difference,” says Imelda.
Anne Baker’s wish for 2019 is for some normal weather. “We’ve been dealing with weather-related issues for 18 months. It puts extra costs and huge hardship on farmers especially in income-critical sectors such as beef production.
"It’s also been a year where we are more aware of how climate change could impact this country,” she adds.
Imelda agrees. “Climate change wasn’t really taken seriously until this year. We need to get serious about it with support for anaerobic digestion, solar panels and water collection. We need to drive on with growing energy and the Government needs to take the lead.”
While Anne acknowledges forestry has a bad vibe, she says what’s required is a proper geographic spread of forestry with the supports going to genuine farmers.
Imelda is critical of supermarkets’ sharp practice of using farm produce as a lost leader.
She says below-cost selling has to stop and she’s glad to see EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan’s stance on the issue. Both women are hugely concerned about Brexit and the impact it could have on the food sector. “Forty-seven per cent of our cheddar production and 40% of our beef gets sold in the UK. It’s scary,” they both say.
Anne Gabbett
Anne Gabbett is a Limerick store-to-beef farmer. Her wish for the 2019 farming year is good health to all and a fair price for our produce.
“You can’t farm if you have trouble with either your physical or mental health.”
Anne Ryan, Newport, Mary Nash, Craogh, Anne Gabbett, Limerick and Helen Kennedy, Clarina. \ Eamonn Andrews
After the past 18 months of unusual weather she says caring for the environment will become more important.
“I’m amazed at the number of young people who are going vegan for environmental reasons. The past year created more awareness of this.”
Maura Canning
Former IFA Farm Family chair Maura Canning travelled from Galway for the lunch.
She and her husband are full-time sheep and suckler farmers and they sell calves at weanling stage and as year-and-a-half year olds.
Her wish for 2019? “Live exports are essential to put a floor under the trade. Prices have to improve because one thing’s for sure, costs aren’t falling.”
Mary Mullane, Hazel Thompson and Mary O’Dea
Mary Mullane and her husband are suckler farmers in Newcastlewest.
“I feel a bit like the dodo – last of the species,” she says with a laugh. But she’s serious.
Ursula Madden, Oola, Eileen Franklin Carroll, Emily and Hazel Thompson, Cappaghmore. \ Eamonn Andrews
“Suckler farming is simply not sustainable at current prices and it won’t attract young people into the business.”
For Hazel Thompson from Cappamore and Mary O’Dea from Dromin, Brexit is the big cloud looming over 2019.
“No one knows what’s going to happen and that’s a huge concern.”
Mary Fleming and Mary Dillon
Mary Fleming who is in suckling and Mary Dillon who is in dairying travelled from Kerry for the lunch.
“I help my son on our suckler farm and we just want a fair price for our stock.
"My other concern would be rural isolation. This is a bigger issue than people think. Farmers are working alone all day.
Anne O'Connor, Castleisland, Mary Dillon, Listowel and Mary Flemming, Killarney. \ Eamonn Andrews
"They see no one. Running farms alone is also a farm safety issue.”
Not getting paid for the food we produce was Mary Dillon’s concern, that and all the paperwork now required to farm.
“Honestly, it’s worse than the work,” she says.
Marian Frawley and Helen Mulcair
Both Marian Frawley, Bruree, and Helen Mulcair, Kildimo, are dairy farmers and the weather and fallout from Brexit were their big concerns.
That the back end had come good was a big help to both.
“On Brexit we are relying on the government to make the right decisions and we have no idea how it will impact milk prices.”
Eileen Hannon
Eileen Hannon is dairy farming with her husband in Crecora and she is also a nurse.
Farm safety and good health are her chief concerns and she hopes the next generation are more safety aware.
“Farm death statistics need to be taken seriously. The level of serious injuries is probably under-reported and this is a big issue.”
Her piece of advice? “We are coming towards calving season so be careful of back injuries especially when feeding baby calves.”
Caroline Farrell
National chair of the IFA Farm Family committee Caroline Farrell and her daughter Ruth made the trip from Kildare.
Caroline has been in the job for a year and while she is happy with how things are going she would like faster progress on Fair Deal.
“Hopefully we will have everything over the line in 2019,” she says.
Mary Breen, Cullen, Maura Canning, Galway, Mairead Bucke, Patrickswells and Caroline Farrell, Laois. \ Eamonn Andrews
Caroline is a member of the diversity committee established by IFA with the aim of getting more women involved.
“We have completed the surveys and now we need to deal with the issues that emerged.
"The biggest issue is that women are time poor. It’s up to us to find ways to make the association so relevant that women will overcome this obstacle and participate.”
For 2019 she plans to visit many of the county executives, keep the pressure on farm safety and promote the Green Ribbon mental health walks.
“It’s important to listen and that’s what I’m there for.”
Read more
HALLelujah in north Co Clare
All changed, changed forever for the Clancy family
For the last 12 years Limerick IFA Farm Family committee has been marking Nollaig na mBan with a celebratory lunch and get together.
Traditionally this was a day for women to take it easy after all the busyness of Christmas. A day to visit family and friends.
A day to celebrate all the work done by women. And what better way to celebrate than with a nice lunch and exchange of gifts.
Anne Gabbett organised the first lunch and says it was always easy to get women to attend. “Meeting at noon and having lunch and lots of chat that goes on until the early evening suits women. It’s their time.
"Each person brings a little gift with a value under €10, these are exchanged and everyone goes home with something."
Over the years the event has attracted women from Kerry, Galway, Cork and Tipperary and further afield. “It’s an easy event to organise as women are happy to come.
"It’s great to catch up with everyone and we have plenty of time to chat,” says current organiser Mary Breen.
So what will they remember from the 2018 farming year and what are their expectations of 2019.
Ann O’Connor
Ann O’Connor is a dairy farmer from Castletownroche, Co Cork. She is also chair of the North Cork Farm Family committee. Nine years ago her husband Kevin died and she faced a lot of big decisions. Their seven children were all still in school and college.
“We all agreed that we’d keep hold of the farm and Kevin’s 100-cow pedigree herd.
I started going to meetings two years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. Get involved, you have nothing to lose and a lot to learn
"That’s what we did. All the children chip in, milking cows before they head out to school and college, five of the family are still in the education system.
"It’s worked and we have lived up to our promise.”
Looking forward to 2019, Anne would love to see an average milk price of 32c/l across the year but she doesn’t think it’s likely. Brexit is the big unknown and Anne is concerned about the impact it will have on food exports to the UK. She would also like to see more women attend farm meetings. “I started going to meetings two years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. Get involved, you have nothing to lose and a lot to learn.”
Imelda Walsh, North Tipperary, Anne O'Connor, Castletownroche, Anne Baker, Mitchelstown and Mary Jo Heffernan, Tipperary. \ Eamonn Andrews
Anne Baker and Imelda Walsh
Anne Baker from north Cork and Imelda Walsh from north Tipperary are a year into their jobs as IFA county chairs. Both are relishing the experience.
“It’s challenging but in a good way and I’ve great support.
"I’m there to help and I would urge farmers who are in financial difficulties or have other problems to come talk to me earlier in the process,” says Anne.
Imelda is equally keen to stress this point about farmers who are in financial difficulty with banks or vulture funds.
“We cannot allow family farms to be taken over by vulture funds. Come talk to us if you are in trouble.”
For both women the trials and tribulations presented by extreme weather is what they will remember of the past year. “It certainly proved to me that we need more common sense in farming. Farming by the calendar just doesn’t work.
"Let farmers work to best practice instead. To that end the two week extension for spreading both organic and chemical fertiliser made a huge difference,” says Imelda.
Anne Baker’s wish for 2019 is for some normal weather. “We’ve been dealing with weather-related issues for 18 months. It puts extra costs and huge hardship on farmers especially in income-critical sectors such as beef production.
"It’s also been a year where we are more aware of how climate change could impact this country,” she adds.
Imelda agrees. “Climate change wasn’t really taken seriously until this year. We need to get serious about it with support for anaerobic digestion, solar panels and water collection. We need to drive on with growing energy and the Government needs to take the lead.”
While Anne acknowledges forestry has a bad vibe, she says what’s required is a proper geographic spread of forestry with the supports going to genuine farmers.
Imelda is critical of supermarkets’ sharp practice of using farm produce as a lost leader.
She says below-cost selling has to stop and she’s glad to see EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan’s stance on the issue. Both women are hugely concerned about Brexit and the impact it could have on the food sector. “Forty-seven per cent of our cheddar production and 40% of our beef gets sold in the UK. It’s scary,” they both say.
Anne Gabbett
Anne Gabbett is a Limerick store-to-beef farmer. Her wish for the 2019 farming year is good health to all and a fair price for our produce.
“You can’t farm if you have trouble with either your physical or mental health.”
Anne Ryan, Newport, Mary Nash, Craogh, Anne Gabbett, Limerick and Helen Kennedy, Clarina. \ Eamonn Andrews
After the past 18 months of unusual weather she says caring for the environment will become more important.
“I’m amazed at the number of young people who are going vegan for environmental reasons. The past year created more awareness of this.”
Maura Canning
Former IFA Farm Family chair Maura Canning travelled from Galway for the lunch.
She and her husband are full-time sheep and suckler farmers and they sell calves at weanling stage and as year-and-a-half year olds.
Her wish for 2019? “Live exports are essential to put a floor under the trade. Prices have to improve because one thing’s for sure, costs aren’t falling.”
Mary Mullane, Hazel Thompson and Mary O’Dea
Mary Mullane and her husband are suckler farmers in Newcastlewest.
“I feel a bit like the dodo – last of the species,” she says with a laugh. But she’s serious.
Ursula Madden, Oola, Eileen Franklin Carroll, Emily and Hazel Thompson, Cappaghmore. \ Eamonn Andrews
“Suckler farming is simply not sustainable at current prices and it won’t attract young people into the business.”
For Hazel Thompson from Cappamore and Mary O’Dea from Dromin, Brexit is the big cloud looming over 2019.
“No one knows what’s going to happen and that’s a huge concern.”
Mary Fleming and Mary Dillon
Mary Fleming who is in suckling and Mary Dillon who is in dairying travelled from Kerry for the lunch.
“I help my son on our suckler farm and we just want a fair price for our stock.
"My other concern would be rural isolation. This is a bigger issue than people think. Farmers are working alone all day.
Anne O'Connor, Castleisland, Mary Dillon, Listowel and Mary Flemming, Killarney. \ Eamonn Andrews
"They see no one. Running farms alone is also a farm safety issue.”
Not getting paid for the food we produce was Mary Dillon’s concern, that and all the paperwork now required to farm.
“Honestly, it’s worse than the work,” she says.
Marian Frawley and Helen Mulcair
Both Marian Frawley, Bruree, and Helen Mulcair, Kildimo, are dairy farmers and the weather and fallout from Brexit were their big concerns.
That the back end had come good was a big help to both.
“On Brexit we are relying on the government to make the right decisions and we have no idea how it will impact milk prices.”
Eileen Hannon
Eileen Hannon is dairy farming with her husband in Crecora and she is also a nurse.
Farm safety and good health are her chief concerns and she hopes the next generation are more safety aware.
“Farm death statistics need to be taken seriously. The level of serious injuries is probably under-reported and this is a big issue.”
Her piece of advice? “We are coming towards calving season so be careful of back injuries especially when feeding baby calves.”
Caroline Farrell
National chair of the IFA Farm Family committee Caroline Farrell and her daughter Ruth made the trip from Kildare.
Caroline has been in the job for a year and while she is happy with how things are going she would like faster progress on Fair Deal.
“Hopefully we will have everything over the line in 2019,” she says.
Mary Breen, Cullen, Maura Canning, Galway, Mairead Bucke, Patrickswells and Caroline Farrell, Laois. \ Eamonn Andrews
Caroline is a member of the diversity committee established by IFA with the aim of getting more women involved.
“We have completed the surveys and now we need to deal with the issues that emerged.
"The biggest issue is that women are time poor. It’s up to us to find ways to make the association so relevant that women will overcome this obstacle and participate.”
For 2019 she plans to visit many of the county executives, keep the pressure on farm safety and promote the Green Ribbon mental health walks.
“It’s important to listen and that’s what I’m there for.”
Read more
HALLelujah in north Co Clare
All changed, changed forever for the Clancy family
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