There are 145 Rural Social Scheme (RSC) places across Co Clare – up 12 in the past year. Local farmer Pat Talty supervises the Moyasta to Loop Head scheme, which has 21 participants.

The scheme is open to farmers who are in receipt of Farm Assist. It’s also available to anyone who is receiving a social welfare payment and has access to a herd number. Clare Local Development Company manages the scheme in the county.

“The majority of our group are in their 50s and upwards. We help with keeping graveyards and football pitches tidy. We also help out the various Tidy Towns committees by keeping green areas in order.”

Pat reckons that in the future it could prove difficult to fill the places. “All the talk is about the isolation and loneliness of older people. But it’s a bigger problem when it comes to young people. Who will be their mates if they go farming? Our local football team trains in Ennis because that’s where they all live. That’s where they socialise.”

Pat says the cut to Disadvantaged Areas payments in west Clare five years ago was a big hit to the pockets of smaller farmers. Looking ahead 10 years, he expects dairy farms to expand, that there will be fewer smaller farms and a danger of land abandonment.