Jacqueline Hogge

jhogge@farmersjournal.ie

New rural housing rules will be 'clear and simple' – Minister James Browne

In an exclusive Irish Country Living interview, housing minister James Browne says he is committed to allowing farm families to build homes on their own land to support thriving rural communities.

FEATURES 23 June 2026

New rural housing rules will be 'clear and simple' – Minister James Browne

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Breeda Walsh: 'fostering in our 50s is the best decision we ever made’

Breeda Walsh: 'fostering in our 50s is the best decision we ever made’

FEATURES 17 June 2026

Elderly carers fear for their adult dependents’ future amid lack of support

Elderly carers fear for their adult dependents’ future amid lack of support

FEATURES 10 June 2026

Older farmers reap benefit of Cooley social club

Older farmers reap benefit of Cooley social club

Older farmers reap benefit of Cooley social club

FEATURES 3 June 2026

Defective block families in limbo as sums don’t add up

Defective block families in limbo as sums don’t add up

Defective block families in limbo as sums don’t add up

FEATURES 27 May 2026

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Defective concrete block crisis homeowner Nicola Baldrick: ‘we had no support’

Defective concrete block crisis homeowner Nicola Baldrick: ‘we had no support’

In the first of a two-part series on defective concrete blocks, Irish Country Living speaks to affected homeowners who say the lack of support on a human level is as costly as the finances to rebuild.

FEATURES 8 April 2026

First ever data shows drug intimidation is nationwide

First ever data shows drug intimidation is nationwide

Counties Cork and Tipperary have the highest rates of reported drug related intimidation outside Dublin, according to the first ever research published by the National Drive Project report.

FEATURES 8 April 2026

Women are changing the mindset of the mart

Women are changing the mindset of the mart

The Women in Agriculture Stakeholders Group aims to address the sense of intimidation some female farmers experience at marts.

FEATURES 8 April 2026

Life changing connections forged through social farming

Life changing connections forged through social farming

Social farming partnerships are forging life-changing collaborations across the country, between working farmers and vulnerable children and adults, the national social farming conference hears.

FEATURES 8 April 2026

Building more rural housing key to GAA clubs’ survival

Building more rural housing key to GAA clubs’ survival

Demographics officers for the GAA say falling numbers of underage players in rural clubs will only be reversed if planning restrictions on rural housing are eased to allow communities to thrive.

FEATURES 8 April 2026

Illegal dumping ‘scourge’ costs over €4m in rural Ireland to clean up

Illegal dumping ‘scourge’ costs over €4m in rural Ireland to clean up

Figures obtained by Irish Country Living show more than €4m of taxpayers’ money was spent on cleaning up rural areas in 2025 – councillors now want tougher measures to tackle illegal dumping.

FEATURES 8 April 2026

Age cap raised for school bus drivers on trial basis

Age cap raised for school bus drivers on trial basis

The decision to extend the restriction on school bus drivers from 70 to 72 is based on the need to keep rural school bus transport running says Minister Canney.

FEATURES 8 April 2026

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BEEF2026: a must-attend event for beef farmers

Held every two years, BEEF2026 taking place on Wednesday, 1 July, promises to be one of the most important events in the farming calendar.

BEEF2026: a must-attend event for beef farmers

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