Aisling O'Brien

Munster

Senior News Journalist at AgriLand

Share life with a beagle, horse, cat and three ducks and three hens in the Kingdom. Senior News Journalist with @AgrilandIreland *All opinions are my own*

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Articles

Want to identify a bird? There's an app for that

5 days ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

If you have ever struggled to identify a bird species on your farm or in the garden, then a brand new app may be of help. The Birds of Ireland Field Guide, the first app launched by BirdWatch Ireland, offers a comprehensive guide to all of the 492 bird species ever recorded in Ireland. All regularly occurring Irish species are included in the free version, while over 260 additional rare vagrant species can be unlocked with an annual subscription.
DAFM: 70% of TAMS tranche 5 applications approved

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has now approved over 4,000 applications made under tranche 5 of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3). The scheme, which is divided across a range of different measures, provides grants to farmers to build or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their farm. The department said that 4,047 (70%) out of the 5,823 applications submitted for this tranche have now been approved.
Lakeland concerns over pace and direction of policy for NI dairy

1 week ago | agriland.co.uk | Aisling O'Brien

Lakeland Dairies has voiced its “serious concerns” about the pace and direction of political policy in relation to the Northern Ireland dairy sector. The processor outlined its views in a letter to Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir this week. The co-op, made up of 3,200 farm families, said it is grateful for the “openness” shown by the minister to Lakeland Dairies since he took office, adding that his “willingness to listen and engage is genuinely appreciated”.
FBD Holdings 'confident in underlying profitability' of business

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

Insurance group FBD Holdings has expressed confidence in the underlying profitability, future growth prospects and capital strength of the business. In an address due to be delivered at the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) at Farm Centre in Dublin today (Thursday, May 8), Tomás Ó Midheach, chief executive will discuss the current trading environment.
Kerry man named chief science adviser to New Zealand PM

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

Dr John Roche, who originally hails from Co. Kerry, has been appointed as the chief science adviser to New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Roche will take up the role, which has been vacant for almost a year, moving from his current position as the chief science adviser in the country’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). He will also act as deputy chair for the newly formed Science and Technology Advisory Council in New Zealand.
Lakeland concerns over pace and direction of policy for NI dairy

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

Lakeland Dairies has voiced its “serious concerns” about the pace and direction of political policy in relation to the Northern Ireland dairy sector. The processor outlined its views in a letter to Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir this week. The co-op, made up of 3,200 farm families, said it is grateful for the “openness” shown by the minister to Lakeland Dairies since he took office, adding that his “willingness to listen and engage is genuinely appreciated”.
Cork to host major event on dairy powders and recombined milk

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

Dairy drying technology and recombined milk products will be the focus of a major international event taking place in Cork this month. The International Dairy Federation (IDF) Joint Symposium will take place from May 13 to 15 at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Cork.
EU Commissioner to visit Shannon region

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

An EU Commissioner to set to visit the Shannon region to see first-hand concerns about flooding, nature restoration and rural transition. EU Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera accepted the invitation from Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly following a meeting in Strasbourg.
Achill Island farmers call for immediate action on wildfires

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

Farmers and residents on Achill Island are demanding “immediate and coordinated action” from authorities after a sharp increase in dangerous roadside fires. The Achill IFA Commonage Fire Watch Team, which has been active since 2023, has recorded 12 wildfires in the area over the past three years, with three already reported in 2025 alone. Several of these fires came within metres of homes, posing a grave threat to lives, livelihoods, and biodiversity.
DAFM has 30 proposals for emergency TB Summit

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is expected to outline around 30 draft proposals to tackle the rising incidence of bovine tuberculosis (TB) at an emergency meeting tomorrow (Thursday, May 8). The TB Summit, convened by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon, will see key stakeholders, including farm organisations, gather at Agriculture House in Dublin.