Views on family and farming in rural Ireland from Katherine O'Leary

'I hate this day' - saying goodbye to cows we've known all their lives

Great support from the men and women that service our farm, Katherine O'Leary writes.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 11 November 2026

'I hate this day' - saying goodbye to cows we've known all their lives

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Women & Agriculture reflections: ‘you could feel the love of the audience'

Women & Agriculture reflections: ‘you could feel the love of the audience'

KATHERINE O'LEARY 4 November 2026

‘This is a crucial time for me to live in the moment and to keep hope intact’

‘This is a crucial time for me to live in the moment and to keep hope intact’

KATHERINE O'LEARY 28 October 2026

Women & Agriculture: why hearing women’s stories matters most

Women & Agriculture: why hearing women’s stories matters most

Women & Agriculture: why hearing women’s stories matters most

KATHERINE O'LEARY 21 October 2026

FBD National Dairy Show: the future of farming depends on the next generation

FBD National Dairy Show: the future of farming depends on the next generation

FBD National Dairy Show: the future of farming depends on the next generation

KATHERINE O'LEARY 14 October 2026

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‘The heat and drought took its toll on the heifers; fertility had suffered'

‘The heat and drought took its toll on the heifers; fertility had suffered'

While grass growth has recovered, fertility results in this year's heifers point to the hidden costs of a prolonged summer drought, writes Katherine O'Leary.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 7 October 2026

'Will the owner of the pink hurley have the same opportunities in Gaelic games?'

'Will the owner of the pink hurley have the same opportunities in Gaelic games?'

As the repercussions of Mary McAleese's resignation from the GAA's Steering Group on Integration continue, I wonder whether politics could leave my granddaughter behind.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 30 September 2026

Why ploughing at home was the next best thing

Why ploughing at home was the next best thing

Katherine O’Leary reflects on a week of ploughing at home, finding satisfaction in the seasonal work despite missing this year’s National Ploughing Championships.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 23 September 2026

‘The end of the drought and a return to grass growth bring a jovial mood’

‘The end of the drought and a return to grass growth bring a jovial mood’

Grass growth has exceeded expectations following the drought, creating an upbeat atmosphere at the Irish Holstein Friesian Association Focus Farm Day in Cork, writes Katherine O'Leary.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 16 September 2026

Mighty craic rising to the challenge at Dairy Women Ireland DIY course

Mighty craic rising to the challenge at Dairy Women Ireland DIY course

Reacquainting herself with her DIY skills, Katherine O'Leary now has a surprising list of tasks to complete after attending a course organised by the South Regional Branch of Dairy Women Ireland

KATHERINE O'LEARY 9 September 2026

‘As children return to school, it's time to get them going on the chores'

‘As children return to school, it's time to get them going on the chores'

With the school year under way, now is the time to get that jobs list up on the kitchen wall, says Katherine O'Leary.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 2 September 2026

'Cuddles and conversation made up for a family party that never happened'

'Cuddles and conversation made up for a family party that never happened'

A family celebration never materialised for Katherine O'Leary during the solar eclipse, but a hospital visit, plenty of cuddles and shepherd's pie made for a memorable day.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 26 August 2026

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Too much, too little – can science help farms with Ireland’s changing weather?

As Ireland celebrates Science Week from 8 to 15 November, coordinated by Research Ireland, the theme 'Water: from molecule to ocean' looks at how climate change alters the water systems we rely upon.

Too much, too little – can science help farms with Ireland’s changing weather?

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