When Mary Mulligan from Templeboy in Sligo told us at the end of the day that she had been to all eight conferences and this was the best one yet, we knew our hard work was worth it. But really, it is the quality of the speakers and the enthusiasm of the audience that makes this event really special.

One woman who touched the hearts of every single person in the room was Diane Banville. Farm safety isn’t a new topic to this conference, but it reached a whole new level when Diane spoke of losing her husband of 11 months, just five weeks after her second son was born. A guttural sob broke out in the room when she said: “In years to come, someone will look at one of my sons playing on a football pitch and say: ‘Isn’t that the Banville boy whose daddy died in a farm accident on Paddy’s Day a few years ago.”

So it was not surprising that Minister Coveney received a big round of applause when he said, about farm safety: “Things need to change. There is no limit to the purse – I will bring in changes if they will save lives.”

Listen to our podcast from the conference below:

One man who also got a huge cheer was Dr Fergus Heffernan. He might be a psychologist but this man should also be a comedian as his take on family, relationships and honesty was so entertaining.

You couldn’t help but smile while listening to Julie O’Leary. Her enthusiasm for life, her determination and her excitement about getting married was infectious. She really proved that cerebral palsy is just an element of her, and not who she is: “Even on the days when I am really not feeling well, I make sure to get up and show up.”

Matt Dempsey could have been mistaken for Gay Byrne as he interviewed Colette Twomey of Clonakilty Black Pudding, Mary Flahavan of Flahavans and Ann Moore of Glencash Farm. And Evelyn O’Rourke’s remarkable story about having cancer while pregnant proved that you really don’t know the inner strength you have until you are forced to look.

If you ask any member of our audience what they remember of Dr Aoife Hearne’s talk, they’ll say rice cakes. Her presentation on food labelling and hidden calories opened many eyes.

Finally, Majella O’Donnell ended the day on such an uplifting note when she spoke about her own experiences of just being yourself.

“I love the quote, you can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there will still always be someone who hates peaches. So be yourself and those that love you will love you.”

Add in everybody dancing to Mike Denver and Des Willoughby, a fashion show, fantastic goodie bags and an awe-inspiring Women and Agriculture Awards and it’s no surprise why we sell out every year. See you all in 2016.