Tullamore Farm Open Day

Over 2,500 farmers flocked to the Tullamore Farm open day on Tuesday, where farmers heard an update on the farm’s financial performance, breeding strategies and grass and carbon measuring.

25% emissions target set for agriculture

Pictured at the announcement of sectoral emissions ceilings were Minister of State Martin Heydon, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan and Minister of State Pippa Hackett. It was announced that cabinet had signed off on a 25% target for agriculture. While the agricultural sector protests that the target is too high, climate activists say it is not high enough. \ Government Information Service

\ Government Information Service

\ Government Information Service

Straw in Tipperary

Martin O'Halloran from Coosane, Birdhill, Co Tipperary, loading straw on the farm of Tom Flannery, Ballygibbon, Kilruane. The straw will be used for feeding cows and for bedding next February during the calving period. Martin finds the square bales are easier to store. They are making €20 per bale bought off the field at the moment. \ Odhran Ducie

\ Odhran Ducie

\ Odhran Ducie

Quick stop on the way to the church

A happy herd! Farmer John Finn and his daughter Mairéad from Ballinalukena, Co Waterford, stop to inspect the herd on their way to the church on her wedding day. Mairéad has been helping her father on the farm since she was a little girl and they would often stop here to chat about the animals and farming in general. \Darren Forde

Ploughing in Tipperary

Sonny Dower spreading dung for Kevin Brennan at Carrig, Co Tipperary, after the harvesting of winter barley. Kevin is ploughing the field and hybrid rape will be sown immediately. This fodder crop will be ready in approx 12 weeks for sheep to graze. \ Odhran Ducie

Kevin Brennan ploughing at Carrig, Co Tipperary. \ Odhran Ducie

\ Odhran Ducie

\ Odhran Ducie

From land to sea

Sheep Farmer Martin Costelloe and daughter Martina assists him tending to their sheep in Ballynacourty, Clarenbridge, Co Galway. David Ruffles

Farmer Martin Costelloe with sheepdog Glenn harvesting clams on Ballynacourty Beach, Clarenbridge, Co Galway. \ David Ruffles

\ David Ruffles

Pure Friesian Club

Spectators at the Pure Friesian Club open day on the Quealy farm near Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford. \ Patrick Browne

Judge Charles Gallagher, Francis Fitzgerald of the Irish Pure Friesian Association and Patrick Quealy, farm owner, during the judging at the Pure Friesian Club open day on the Quealy farm near Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford. \ Patrick Browne

Charles Gallagher during the judging at the Pure Friesian Club open day on the Quealy farm near Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford. \ Patrick Browne

Pure Friesian Club open day on the Quealy farm near Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford, are young farmers Fionn and Cormac Murphy, Thomas and Conor Kirwan. \ Patrick Browne

Pure Friesian Club open day on the Quealy farm near Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford. \ Patrick Browne

Pictured are Phelim O’Dea, Loughmore, Co. Tipperary and Brian and John Long, Thurles, Co. Tipperary at the Pure Friesian Club Open Day on the Quealy farm near Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford. \Patrick Browne

Interview with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar interviewed by Amii McKeever in his office in Government buildings. \ Philip Doyle

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar. \ Philip Doyle

\ Philip Doyle

\ Philip Doyle

\ Philip Doyle

\ Philip Doyle

\ Philip Doyle

\ Philip Doyle

Read Amii McKeever's interview with Tanaiste Leo Varadkar here.

AIB turn-around

AIB Molesworth Street.

A coffin waits on the back of a pickup on Molesworth Street in anticipation of a planned protest on the AIB offices. \ Philip Doyle

\ Philip Doyle

Cllr Máirín McGrath, Mattie McGrath TD, Danny Healy Rae TD and Michael Collins walked down the street from Leinster House to AIB head office on Molesworth Street, Co Dublin, to demand a meeting about the closure of 70 of 170 cash facilities in AIB banks across the country. While they were left waiting, and refused to move until they had a meaningful discussion, AIB made a statement that they were reversing their decision to move ahead with the closures. Philip Doyle

Danny Healy Rae TD on the phone outside AIB Molesworth Street after it was announced that AIB were reversing their decision to move ahead with withdrawal of cash facilities in 70 of its branches. \ Philip Doyle

TD Michael Collins speaks with waiting press outside AIB Molesworth Street after AIB made a statement that they were reversing their decision to move ahead with the closures of 70 out of 170 cash facilities across the country. \ Philip Doyle

Other pictures from around the country

John Joe Whelton, Sean Ryan and on the tractor PJ McCarthy harvesting British Queen potatoes on his lands at Donomore, Lislevane, Co Cork. \ Gearóid Holland

John McFeeters, getting the nettles and thistle sunder control on his farm in Fanad, Co. Donegal. \Clive Wasson

Molly Bradley keeping a watchful eye over five-year-old Sarah Jane Lester from Killylea, Co Armagh, at the 114th Antrim Show on Saturday. Sarah, pictured with her Dexter, won the Young Handlers' Competition. \ Houston Green