‘If you can see it, you can be it’ is a mantra that has been adopted by sporting organisations in a bid to encourage more female participation in recent years. The sentiment is also true in farming with Irish women hoping to encourage younger generations to follow in their footsteps in this, the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
An event held in Tuam Mart last week aimed at shattering the male domination and mystery of the mart for some women, drew a healthy crowd, including local farmers, members of Teagasc, women in agriculture and several ag science secondary school students from the area.
Organised by the Women in Agriculture Stakeholders Group (WASG), the event was aimed at building confidence and sharing information for women attending marts.
Mona O’Donoghue Concannon, WASG chair, welcomed the group of over 50 women and asked them all to take her contact details as she looked forward to working with them towards delivering a stronger voice for women farmers.
“We held a pilot event in Cork last February and we’re delighted to be in Tuam to open up the mart to women and to give them a safe space to learn how business here is conducted,” she says.
“From the research we have carried out in recent years, the one strong message we kept getting back was that women felt intimidated by the mart, and didn’t feel comfortable trying to navigate a space that is predominantly male.
“So, we are delighted to see so many women and young girls here today eager to learn and hopefully dispel any fears they may have about coming to and doing business in the mart.”
Guest speaker, Carina Rosengrave, who was named International Year of the Woman Farmer Ambassador 2026 by Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon told those gathered that a positive mindset could deliver real change on the ground for women in farming.
Ciara Stanley, Ballybar and Clogheen House Farm Co Carlow with Carina Roseingrave, Dept of Agriculture ambassador for International Year of the Women Farmer, Bridget Whelan, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare and Helena Antunes, visiitng PhD student from Protugal attended the event.
Mindset at the mart
Nurturing her love of the land, the Clare farmer, along with her brother Gerry, runs Burren View Farm, a thriving dairy, beef, and free-range egg business.
“Often people say a mart is a daunting place to be for a woman but together we can change that mindset,” she said at the event.
“My mam worked in the marts, since 1977 below in Ennis Mart, and from a very young age I was brought to the mart so I never had that barrier. There are probably people in this room who think they can’t go to a mart but when you actually stand up and be a woman in agriculture, as a farmer, all the farmers – men and women – get behind you.
"If we can change our own mindset, we can change the mindset of a mart to one of positivity because there are so many women working in there. Mart managers and people working behind the scenes are women. So, from today if we work together to change our own mindset, we can bring about positivity to the workplace for women.
“You may not have farms at home, you may have uncles or aunts that you’re helping on farms, but it is the likes of you that we want to support and bring forward because you are the future of farming and women in agriculture.”
Other leading women in agriculture to attend the event included Ciara Stanley of Coppenagh House Farm in Tullow, and Ursula Kelly of Cormac Tagging, in Tuam.
Assistant manager of Tuam Mart, Saoirse Loftus led the group on a tour of the mart from the loading pens through to the sales ring where she handed over to Kian Boal of Irish Cattle Breeders Federation, who gave a presentation on the role ICBF plays in marts all over the country.
Running through the Dairy Beef Index and Commercial Beef Value, he explained the growth of genomics in the agricultural industry with 92,000 herds, comprising 59.1 million animals across the country.
The role of the ICBF is to promote high-quality beef cattle from the dairy herd, which has knock-on effects on cow fertility, milk production and overall health,” he explained.
Ag science students from Dunmore Community School attend the WASG event in Tuam Mart to promote and encourage women farmers.
Women in agriculture
Auctioneer Darren Hession – who was given his break in the industry by Marion Devane, mart manager in Tuam for the past 49 years – said the role of women in agriculture was strong but agreed there could be more visibility.
“I had a summer job here the year I finished school and when I mentioned to Marion that I’d like to try my hand at sales she gave me the green light, and encouraged me to get all my licences and qualifications.
“We’re very lucky to have Saoirse Loftus [Tuam Mart assistant manager] here with us too, as there aren’t that many female mart auctioneers around but it’s a great job that keeps you on your toes.
“You’re often the referee between the buyer, who you want to be fair to, and the seller, whose expectations you want to meet, so striking that balance can be tricky. We have beef sales on Mondays and sheep on Tuesdays and I’m averaging 50 lots an hour, so you have to keep things moving.
“Technology has made a phenomenal difference to how we do business, and the last six years especially has seen things change dramatically.
“When I started in 2017 the auctioneer had his gavel and that was pretty much it. Now we have Martbids which has broadened the audience nationwide, but you still have the drama and the excitement of the bidder in the ring. He or she won’t be putting their hands up, no they’re far more discreet with a wink or a nudge or a scratch of the arm telling you their intentions.
“If any of you are considering a career in the mart, reach out to any of us and we’d be happy to chat. From my perspective it’s not an easy job and you’re often the villain with the tougher customers but it’s a great job with lots of variety and you’ll never have a dull day.”
Darren then held a mock auction of two calves, inviting the younger attendees to come ringside to make their bids, which were in competition with those coming in online.
Mona concluded, “It’s been very encouraging to see the numbers here today and if we stay connected and work together, we can build on the wonderful work being done by women farmers all over Ireland,” she added.
Auctioneer Darren Hession leads a mock auction at tuam mart as part of a WASG event
The Women in Agriculture Stakeholder Group is an independent, voluntary body bringing together representatives from all Irish farming organisations, including the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, Irish Cattle and Sheep Association, Irish Grain Growers Group, Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, and the Irish Natura and Hill Sheep Farmers Association. The group’s goal is to foster greater inclusivity for women within the agricultural sector to ensure they are recognised for the work they do. CSO statistics suggest 70,000 women work on farms every day without official recognition for their work.As the Department of Agriculture’s ambassador for the International Year of the Woman Farmer, Carina Rosengrave will highlight issues important to her peers in farming, represent women in Irish agriculture, and promote existing supports and initiatives. She recently featured in the documentary film ‘Irish Farmers: A Love Story’ that will be premiered in The Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin on 22 June. Carina credits ACORNS with giving her the knowledge, skills, and confidence to diversify and grow as a woman farmer and rural female entrepreneur.
‘If you can see it, you can be it’ is a mantra that has been adopted by sporting organisations in a bid to encourage more female participation in recent years. The sentiment is also true in farming with Irish women hoping to encourage younger generations to follow in their footsteps in this, the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
An event held in Tuam Mart last week aimed at shattering the male domination and mystery of the mart for some women, drew a healthy crowd, including local farmers, members of Teagasc, women in agriculture and several ag science secondary school students from the area.
Organised by the Women in Agriculture Stakeholders Group (WASG), the event was aimed at building confidence and sharing information for women attending marts.
Mona O’Donoghue Concannon, WASG chair, welcomed the group of over 50 women and asked them all to take her contact details as she looked forward to working with them towards delivering a stronger voice for women farmers.
“We held a pilot event in Cork last February and we’re delighted to be in Tuam to open up the mart to women and to give them a safe space to learn how business here is conducted,” she says.
“From the research we have carried out in recent years, the one strong message we kept getting back was that women felt intimidated by the mart, and didn’t feel comfortable trying to navigate a space that is predominantly male.
“So, we are delighted to see so many women and young girls here today eager to learn and hopefully dispel any fears they may have about coming to and doing business in the mart.”
Guest speaker, Carina Rosengrave, who was named International Year of the Woman Farmer Ambassador 2026 by Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon told those gathered that a positive mindset could deliver real change on the ground for women in farming.
Ciara Stanley, Ballybar and Clogheen House Farm Co Carlow with Carina Roseingrave, Dept of Agriculture ambassador for International Year of the Women Farmer, Bridget Whelan, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare and Helena Antunes, visiitng PhD student from Protugal attended the event.
Mindset at the mart
Nurturing her love of the land, the Clare farmer, along with her brother Gerry, runs Burren View Farm, a thriving dairy, beef, and free-range egg business.
“Often people say a mart is a daunting place to be for a woman but together we can change that mindset,” she said at the event.
“My mam worked in the marts, since 1977 below in Ennis Mart, and from a very young age I was brought to the mart so I never had that barrier. There are probably people in this room who think they can’t go to a mart but when you actually stand up and be a woman in agriculture, as a farmer, all the farmers – men and women – get behind you.
"If we can change our own mindset, we can change the mindset of a mart to one of positivity because there are so many women working in there. Mart managers and people working behind the scenes are women. So, from today if we work together to change our own mindset, we can bring about positivity to the workplace for women.
“You may not have farms at home, you may have uncles or aunts that you’re helping on farms, but it is the likes of you that we want to support and bring forward because you are the future of farming and women in agriculture.”
Other leading women in agriculture to attend the event included Ciara Stanley of Coppenagh House Farm in Tullow, and Ursula Kelly of Cormac Tagging, in Tuam.
Assistant manager of Tuam Mart, Saoirse Loftus led the group on a tour of the mart from the loading pens through to the sales ring where she handed over to Kian Boal of Irish Cattle Breeders Federation, who gave a presentation on the role ICBF plays in marts all over the country.
Running through the Dairy Beef Index and Commercial Beef Value, he explained the growth of genomics in the agricultural industry with 92,000 herds, comprising 59.1 million animals across the country.
The role of the ICBF is to promote high-quality beef cattle from the dairy herd, which has knock-on effects on cow fertility, milk production and overall health,” he explained.
Ag science students from Dunmore Community School attend the WASG event in Tuam Mart to promote and encourage women farmers.
Women in agriculture
Auctioneer Darren Hession – who was given his break in the industry by Marion Devane, mart manager in Tuam for the past 49 years – said the role of women in agriculture was strong but agreed there could be more visibility.
“I had a summer job here the year I finished school and when I mentioned to Marion that I’d like to try my hand at sales she gave me the green light, and encouraged me to get all my licences and qualifications.
“We’re very lucky to have Saoirse Loftus [Tuam Mart assistant manager] here with us too, as there aren’t that many female mart auctioneers around but it’s a great job that keeps you on your toes.
“You’re often the referee between the buyer, who you want to be fair to, and the seller, whose expectations you want to meet, so striking that balance can be tricky. We have beef sales on Mondays and sheep on Tuesdays and I’m averaging 50 lots an hour, so you have to keep things moving.
“Technology has made a phenomenal difference to how we do business, and the last six years especially has seen things change dramatically.
“When I started in 2017 the auctioneer had his gavel and that was pretty much it. Now we have Martbids which has broadened the audience nationwide, but you still have the drama and the excitement of the bidder in the ring. He or she won’t be putting their hands up, no they’re far more discreet with a wink or a nudge or a scratch of the arm telling you their intentions.
“If any of you are considering a career in the mart, reach out to any of us and we’d be happy to chat. From my perspective it’s not an easy job and you’re often the villain with the tougher customers but it’s a great job with lots of variety and you’ll never have a dull day.”
Darren then held a mock auction of two calves, inviting the younger attendees to come ringside to make their bids, which were in competition with those coming in online.
Mona concluded, “It’s been very encouraging to see the numbers here today and if we stay connected and work together, we can build on the wonderful work being done by women farmers all over Ireland,” she added.
Auctioneer Darren Hession leads a mock auction at tuam mart as part of a WASG event
The Women in Agriculture Stakeholder Group is an independent, voluntary body bringing together representatives from all Irish farming organisations, including the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, Irish Cattle and Sheep Association, Irish Grain Growers Group, Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, and the Irish Natura and Hill Sheep Farmers Association. The group’s goal is to foster greater inclusivity for women within the agricultural sector to ensure they are recognised for the work they do. CSO statistics suggest 70,000 women work on farms every day without official recognition for their work.As the Department of Agriculture’s ambassador for the International Year of the Woman Farmer, Carina Rosengrave will highlight issues important to her peers in farming, represent women in Irish agriculture, and promote existing supports and initiatives. She recently featured in the documentary film ‘Irish Farmers: A Love Story’ that will be premiered in The Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin on 22 June. Carina credits ACORNS with giving her the knowledge, skills, and confidence to diversify and grow as a woman farmer and rural female entrepreneur. 
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