Caroline Allen

Ireland

News Journalist at AgriLand

Freelance journalist; writes on rural living for https://t.co/UFp16iqbTN; features for Laois Today; Business Post; Irish Interiors. Also covers travel/lifestyle/food

Articles

Finding missing Westie 'better than winning the lottery' for farmer

4 days ago | agriland.ie | Caroline Allen

When farming couple Des and Jane Cantlon realised recently that their 11 year-old Westie, Minnie, was missing, they searched high up and low down for her. Twenty hours later, Des, who has a calf-to-beef enterprise, discovered that the beloved family pet had probably chased a rodent and got trapped in a pile of tyres on a silage pit on the farm in Marley, Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny.
Goats a catalyst for change in Co. Carlow

5 days ago | agriland.ie | Caroline Allen

A small herd of Old Irish Goats attracted almost 2,000 visitors from across Carlow in the sunshine recently as people of all ages learned about the county council’s urban pollinator foraging initiative and a little about fire safety on the cusp of wildfire season. The Old Irish Goats – Ireland’s indigenous landrace breed now only found in remote mountain ranges, roaming in feral herds – will return to Co. Carlow in September.
Burren Slow Food Festival marks 20 years of showcasing farmers' efforts

5 days ago | agriland.ie | Caroline Allen

It is important for people to realising the efforts made by farmers in raising animals slowly – particularly when raised organically – as part of the growing slow food movement, That is according to Brónagh O’Rourke of the Burren Ecotourism Network (BEN) and owner, with her husband, Cathal, of Burren Premium Beef and Burren Farm Experience.
Farmers should 'take mini-breaks' to beat stress - therapist

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Caroline Allen

Farmers could take ‘mini-breaks’ from their work as an effective way of managing stress, a Westmeath psychotherapist recently told Midlands Radio 3. These mini-breaks could be as simple as grounding yourself and taking a few minutes for deep breaths during the working day, Siobhan Leijn, psychotherapist and CEO of WellbeingTeam.ie said. Leijn said such breaks are to avoid being stressed for too long, which can lower the immune system and make people more prone to illness.
Donegal singer's Nashville pilgrimage to air on TG4

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Caroline Allen

An hour-long documentary capturing how Diane Cannon from Mín Lárach in the Donegal Gaeltacht, a singer with a lifelong love of country music, made a musical pilgrimage to Nashville, can be seen on TG4 this week. Cannon was joined on her trip to the cultural capital of country music by her father, John, and daughter, Kelly, who is also a singer.
Mayo TV company produces series on curious farm dog

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Caroline Allen

Mayo television company GMarch TV has produced a new series featuring a farm dog for RTÉjr aimed at teaching viewers about the wonders of nature beneath their noses. Blending live action puppetry and archive footage, ‘Séamus Goes Wild’ brings little ones on a fascinating journey into the world of Irish natural history, filmed on location in north Mayo. ‘Séamus Goes Wild’ starts on Monday, May 12 at 08:25, repeating at 6:40 on RTÉjr.
'Escaping cow' mural draws the crowds to Co. Clare

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Caroline Allen

A cow mural on a Co. Clare house has caught the imagination of many people, some of whom are making special trips to see the flighty Friesian seek the bigger picture. Artist Marcus Valbohmer told Agriland: “It is overwhelming to see how many people are interested in the cow mural. They are amused and impressed, which means a lot to me.”. From Essen in Germany, he is now living and working in Farrihy, Kilkee, Co. Clare.
Mags McCarthy rings the bell in hope for cancer patients

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Caroline Allen

Co. Cork country music artist and farmer’s daughter, Mags McCarthy, has released what she believes is her most heartfelt and powerful single yet, ‘Ring That Bell’. The vocalist and multi-instrumentalist partnered with renowned scientist Dr. Bruce Levine to co-write the song that aims to give a voice to cancer patients and celebrates breakthroughs in treatment that are helping to save lives.
'Irish wake remains the touchstone of all Irish society' - filmmaker

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Caroline Allen

‘The Irish wake “remains the touchstone of all Irish culture”, particularly in rural areas among the farming community, according to filmmaker, bardic poet, and Achill islander Kevin ToolisToolis is also the director of a festival dedicated to the ancient arts of the Irish wake, which will take place at the Old Convent, Mulranny, Co. Mayo, today (Saturday, May 3).
Artist draws on childhood farming memories for paintings

2 weeks ago | agriland.ie | Caroline Allen

Growing up on a dairy farm back in the days when the milking parlour was located really close to the farmer’s house, artist Nano Culliton would waken in the summer months to the sound of her dad singing to the cows while milking – a cherished memory that went on to influence her paintings. According to Culliton: “He allowed me into the pit with him. He said I was too small to worry the cows. “He died when I was nine.