Environmental sustainability, biodiversity and the future for young farmers were some of the key topics discussed by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their visit to Teagasc Grange on Wednesday. They visited the beef research unit of Teagasc on day two of their first official royal visit to Ireland.
Paul Crosson and Edward O’Riordan showed the royal couple around, including information about the Derrypatrick herd and the dribble bar slurry spreader used.
I think Irish beef was something they were familiar with as a quality product and that we are a food island
“The main point we wanted to make at the outset was that the UK market is so important to us, that every second animal they saw during the walkaround is going to end up on a supermarket shelf, fast food outlet or restaurant in the UK,” said Paul Crosson.
Prince William asked local farmers he met at Grange if the general public understands their role as custodians of the land.
“I suppose the concepts that really seemed to grab their interest was the role that the farmer plays not just in food production but being rewarded for the broader countryside stewardship role.
“I think Irish beef was something they were familiar with as a quality product and that we are a food island, if you like.”
Meeting local farmers
The couple then met Teagasc advisors Eilish Burke and William Byrne who introduced them to farmers, Ronan Hughes, Justin Walsh, Teleri Thomas, David Hannon, and Donal Keane.
“The whole conversation was really about the environment and sustainability,” said Ronan Hughes.
Prince William asked the farmers if the general public understands their role as custodians of the land and whether there were many young farmers entering the business.
“Is the future bright for farming, do young people want to get involved?” asked William. “Do the wider public know exactly how much you guys do as custodians of the land?”
Suckler farmer from the Hill of Tara, Justin Walsh, told him that he does not see a future in beef farming for his four children.
“The Royal visit brings great attention to an industry that is struggling at the minute, particularly beef,” said dairy farmer David Hannon. “It’s good for the public to see the Duke and Duchess here and taking an interest in agriculture.”
The farmers talked about how they are applying some of the research from Teagasc on their own farms; using the best animal genetics, grass based production systems and in the case of Donal Keane how he is an organic demonstration farmer.
Hedgerows
The royal couple spent some time talking to Teagasc’s Catherine Keena about biodiversity in hedgerows and waterways. She said that during the conversation the Duchess said: “What does this remind you of?” and that Prince William talked about the importance of laying hedgerows. Catherine says you can tell he had “tried his hand at it”.
The Duchess said they had "learned a lot" from their visit to the farm.
Schoolchildren
The Duke and Duchess also met schoolchildren from Kiltale National School who were mostly from farming backgrounds and had completed projects on farm to fork, food production and sustainability. The children presented the Duchess with a bouquet of flowers and told them all about their projects.
Kiltale NS Pupil Darragh Dolan said the couple loved discussing their healthy eating project with them.
“It was so exciting to meet a real life princess.”
“They were very nice and lovely to us. They asked us all about our project on healthy eating and exercise as we learned that Irish young people don’t get enough exercise and that one in four are overweight.”
Kiltale NS pupil Rachel Mulligan who met the couple said “William told us that it is important to go outside more and to get lots of sleep.”
“I told them Irish people are very proud of their cattle and farms because the grass is so green and they stay outside and not in sheds.”
School Principal, Eileen O’Reilly, said the royal couple told her they loved their trip to Ireland and want to return with their three children.
“They said they would like to come back her with the kids and do a cycling tour and see the Irish countryside.”
Gift
Chair of Teagasc Liam Herlihy presented the Royal couple with Irish bog oak that was more than 5,000 years old. The royal couple thanked him for the visit and the Duchess said they “learned a lot”.
Additional reporting by Aine McMahon PA.
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Environmental sustainability, biodiversity and the future for young farmers were some of the key topics discussed by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their visit to Teagasc Grange on Wednesday. They visited the beef research unit of Teagasc on day two of their first official royal visit to Ireland.
Paul Crosson and Edward O’Riordan showed the royal couple around, including information about the Derrypatrick herd and the dribble bar slurry spreader used.
I think Irish beef was something they were familiar with as a quality product and that we are a food island
“The main point we wanted to make at the outset was that the UK market is so important to us, that every second animal they saw during the walkaround is going to end up on a supermarket shelf, fast food outlet or restaurant in the UK,” said Paul Crosson.
Prince William asked local farmers he met at Grange if the general public understands their role as custodians of the land.
“I suppose the concepts that really seemed to grab their interest was the role that the farmer plays not just in food production but being rewarded for the broader countryside stewardship role.
“I think Irish beef was something they were familiar with as a quality product and that we are a food island, if you like.”
Meeting local farmers
The couple then met Teagasc advisors Eilish Burke and William Byrne who introduced them to farmers, Ronan Hughes, Justin Walsh, Teleri Thomas, David Hannon, and Donal Keane.
“The whole conversation was really about the environment and sustainability,” said Ronan Hughes.
Prince William asked the farmers if the general public understands their role as custodians of the land and whether there were many young farmers entering the business.
“Is the future bright for farming, do young people want to get involved?” asked William. “Do the wider public know exactly how much you guys do as custodians of the land?”
Suckler farmer from the Hill of Tara, Justin Walsh, told him that he does not see a future in beef farming for his four children.
“The Royal visit brings great attention to an industry that is struggling at the minute, particularly beef,” said dairy farmer David Hannon. “It’s good for the public to see the Duke and Duchess here and taking an interest in agriculture.”
The farmers talked about how they are applying some of the research from Teagasc on their own farms; using the best animal genetics, grass based production systems and in the case of Donal Keane how he is an organic demonstration farmer.
Hedgerows
The royal couple spent some time talking to Teagasc’s Catherine Keena about biodiversity in hedgerows and waterways. She said that during the conversation the Duchess said: “What does this remind you of?” and that Prince William talked about the importance of laying hedgerows. Catherine says you can tell he had “tried his hand at it”.
The Duchess said they had "learned a lot" from their visit to the farm.
Schoolchildren
The Duke and Duchess also met schoolchildren from Kiltale National School who were mostly from farming backgrounds and had completed projects on farm to fork, food production and sustainability. The children presented the Duchess with a bouquet of flowers and told them all about their projects.
Kiltale NS Pupil Darragh Dolan said the couple loved discussing their healthy eating project with them.
“It was so exciting to meet a real life princess.”
“They were very nice and lovely to us. They asked us all about our project on healthy eating and exercise as we learned that Irish young people don’t get enough exercise and that one in four are overweight.”
Kiltale NS pupil Rachel Mulligan who met the couple said “William told us that it is important to go outside more and to get lots of sleep.”
“I told them Irish people are very proud of their cattle and farms because the grass is so green and they stay outside and not in sheds.”
School Principal, Eileen O’Reilly, said the royal couple told her they loved their trip to Ireland and want to return with their three children.
“They said they would like to come back her with the kids and do a cycling tour and see the Irish countryside.”
Gift
Chair of Teagasc Liam Herlihy presented the Royal couple with Irish bog oak that was more than 5,000 years old. The royal couple thanked him for the visit and the Duchess said they “learned a lot”.
Additional reporting by Aine McMahon PA.
Read more
Teagasc Grange prepares for royal visit
Counting the cost of 30-month steers
Royal School Cavan wins 2020 Irish Angus schools competition
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