sean o'leary

‘The end of the drought and a return to grass growth bring a jovial mood’

Grass growth has exceeded expectations following the drought, creating an upbeat atmosphere at the Irish Holstein Friesian Association Focus Farm Day in Cork, writes Katherine O'Leary.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 16 September 2026

‘The end of the drought and a return to grass growth bring a jovial mood’

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Mighty craic rising to the challenge at Dairy Women Ireland DIY course

Mighty craic rising to the challenge at Dairy Women Ireland DIY course

KATHERINE O'LEARY 9 September 2026

‘As children return to school, it's time to get them going on the chores'

‘As children return to school, it's time to get them going on the chores'

KATHERINE O'LEARY 2 September 2026

'Cuddles and conversation made up for a family party that never happened'

'Cuddles and conversation made up for a family party that never happened'

'Cuddles and conversation made up for a family party that never happened'

KATHERINE O'LEARY 26 August 2026

'Rain has arrived in parts of mid-Cork and it's badly needed after the drought'

'Rain has arrived in parts of mid-Cork and it's badly needed after the drought'

'Rain has arrived in parts of mid-Cork and it's badly needed after the drought'

KATHERINE O'LEARY 19 August 2026

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'The Highlands reminded me of Kerry – but not quite as beautiful'

'The Highlands reminded me of Kerry – but not quite as beautiful'

A holiday in Scotland reminded Katherine O’Leary of Ireland’s farming landscape, from the mountains and fields to the familiar beauty of Kerry.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 1 July 2026

‘Sport played a big part in our holiday... cheering from the sidelines'

‘Sport played a big part in our holiday... cheering from the sidelines'

Katherine O’Leary discovers that taking part isn't the only way sport brings people together – cheering from the sidelines can be just as valuable.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 1 July 2026

“You can keep social media - I made my own splash on a Swedish rooftop”

“You can keep social media - I made my own splash on a Swedish rooftop”

Katherine O’Leary discovers that the best holiday moments don’t need to be shared online. A little bravery, a new experience and a rooftop pool created a memory that still brings a smile.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 1 July 2026

‘Seeing the next generation take up farming is incredibly rewarding'

‘Seeing the next generation take up farming is incredibly rewarding'

Succession is one of the biggest challenges facing farming, so planning is crucial and should start early.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 1 July 2026

‘We’re ready for the drought... cows to be fed silage in dry weeks ahead'

‘We’re ready for the drought... cows to be fed silage in dry weeks ahead'

The drought has arrived, but it was expected and farmers are prepared, with cows set to be fed silage in the weeks ahead, writes Katherine O’Leary.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 1 July 2026

'At 81, Christy Moore delivered a concert as good as he did when he was younger'

'At 81, Christy Moore delivered a concert as good as he did when he was younger'

A meet up with old friends and new, at a Christy Moore concert was an added bonus at the end of a great gig in the Marquee, writes Katherine O' Leary.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 1 July 2026

‘Excellence and attention to detail were the main drivers on this Tipp farm'

‘Excellence and attention to detail were the main drivers on this Tipp farm'

A long-standing commitment to excellence in dairy farming has earned the Ryan family the 2025 NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Award. Katherine O'Leary visits the Tipperary farm to discover more.

KATHERINE O'LEARY 1 July 2026

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Patrick and Valerie Sheehy: building better cows from day one

Achieving average weaning weights of 112kg doesn’t happen by accident. For Patrick and Valerie, it starts with calf management, high-quality nutrition and investing heavily in the first 70 days

Patrick and Valerie Sheehy: building better cows from day one

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