The National Ploughing Championships opened with a speech from President Michael D Higgins. As we have come to expect, it was eloquent and relevant. It was particularly on point for the Sheehan and O’Leary families after Aileen Sheehan, my daughter-in-law, was named FBD Young Farmer of the Year 2025. To be referenced in this speech was a tremendous honour for Aileen.

The president said, “The recognition of the commitment and achievement of young farmers, such as Cork’s Aileen Sheehan… inspires us with hope. Her success speaks to the new opportunities for women and young people, and to the renewal of farming as a profession of pride and promise.” That is exactly how we should think about our farming activities, with pride and promise.

Ploughing on

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It was a chaotic week for us at home with the result that it was Thursday before Tim and I made it to Screggan. Our first stop was to the IFA stand where all members were given a hearty welcome. There’s the chat about wellbeing and family before moving onto policy and current issues. The 3c drop in the Dairygold milk price was indeed a hot topic. While disappointing, we will manage our businesses accordingly.

The Ploughing is a big opportunity for all farm and rural related businesses. Many are hopeful that their order books are filled and valuable advice is gathered for the year ahead. It is also a great day out to catch up with like-minded people from all corners of rural Ireland.

I also visited the Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition sponsored by AIBP and KEPAK. My next-door neighbour, Mary Clare O’Connell was on the winning team from St Angela’s College in Cork City along with Meabh O’Donovan and Emma Dilworth.

I have no doubt that this competition is a catalyst for increasing the understanding of farming and agriculture among young people

The team want to explore how organic farm practices can be incorporated into conventional beef systems to produce sustainable Certified Irish Angus Beef. Mary Clare worked with me a couple of days every week of the summer and can turn her hand to anything.

She and her teammates gave me a polished presentation of their project to date. What an achievement for three rural girls to be making their mark in a city school. I have no doubt that this competition is a catalyst for increasing the understanding of farming and agriculture among young people.

I was also invited to stop by to visit the team from Loreto, Fermoy to meet Gráinne Dinneen and Clodagh Hayes – who is a cousin of mine through the Campion side of the family. The girls have created an eco-friendly plastic alternative for beef packaging.

It was lovely to have a connection to two of the five teams in the competition. The other finalists came from Coláiste Phobal, Ros Cré; Abbey Community College, Ferrybank and Loreto, Balbriggan.

Young faces

One day is just not enough to take everything in that the Ploughing has to offer. I returned to the Irish Farmers Journal stand to find Janine Kennedy, chef and food writer with Ciara Leahy, editor of Irish Country Living just before they both took to the stage for the last of the cookery demonstrations.

I joined Janine on stage for a chat with the readers as Janine cooked apple fritters using apples from Con Trass’s farm.

Afterwards, we paused for a team photograph of the Irish Farmers Journal and Irish Country Living staff.

I was struck by how young and vibrant the faces were, bringing massive energy to their endeavours of delivering educational and news content in the paper and online. “Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí” is an apt sentiment as we move away from Ploughing Championships 2025.

Praise the young and they will flourish.